High-End Guitar Picks Spark Debate Among Musicians

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – The BlueChip pick, priced at $35, is being hailed as the gold standard among premium guitar picks. Its rise to fame has significant implications for guitar players, including stars like John Mayer and Steve Martin, who advocate for its exceptional quality despite its hefty price tag.

The BlueChip pick, crafted from aerospace-grade material, emerged during the 2008 financial crisis. Its creator, Matthew Goins, had to pivot from traditional machining to survive. “In ’08, the economy went down pretty bad and we were suffering in the machine shop,” Goins explained. “Selling around 20 picks a week helped us survive.”

Initially met with skepticism, the picks have grown in respect among elite guitarists. “For most players, a 25-cent plastic pick will totally suffice,” said Jason Verlinde, founder of Fretboard Journal. “But in the upper echelons of guitar minutiae, they hold dominion.”

The Goins brothers realized the durability of this material could redefine the guitar pick market, especially after the decline of traditional tortoiseshell picks due to conservation issues. The hawksbill turtle, once a popular source for picks, has been endangered since 1982.

Production for BlueChip picks was initially slow and costly. A single slice of the material costs over $5,000. However, the company has improved efficiency and expanded its product range to include various shapes, such as flat and thumb picks.

Competitors have emerged since BlueChip’s launch, raising prices for all specialty picks. Goins remains committed to keeping the price of his picks at $35, despite inflation challenges. “I don’t know how long we can do that, but I’m trying very hard to stay there for our customers,” he stated.

Despite the celebrity endorsements, many musicians resist the idea of spending $35 on a pick. “When you compare this to the world of violins where a typical player wouldn’t scoff at spending thousands of dollars on a bow, it’s kind of a bargain,” Verlinde said with a laugh. “But for most guitarists, that price is pretty bonkers.”