ToneSlabs, the boutique pick company making high-end products for discerning players, has announced their new thumbpick, manufactured in cooperation with Prucha Bluegrass Instruments in the Czech Republic. The first batch are expected to ship in March, and pre-orders are going fast.
The blades are made here in the US using the Torlon material that has made ToneSlabs popular. Prucha, know all over the world for their top quality banjos, mandolins, and parts for banjo, makes the metal blades that go around your thumb. The bands are then riveted to the blade, allowing for the comfort and ease of shaping that comes with a metal band, and the tonal purity and long wear of the ToneSlabs blade.
The features they are bragging about include:
- Torlon blade with smooth bevels that wont get scrtachy
- Tonally maximized for more clarity and volume with less effort
- Stainless steel band for lightweight strength and durability
- Flared edges on the band for a comfortable fit
- Sand blasting inside the metal band for comfort, and a matte finish blade to minimize slippage
The company, run by David Welch and bluegrass artist Frank Solivan, brought an advance supply of the thumbpicks to SPBGMA last weekend, and Frank says all the responses were positive.
“Quite a number of pickers were able to try them at SPBGMA. Nothing but positive reviews on tone, volume, note separation, volume, performance, and fit and finish. There are videos on our Instagram page if you want to see what people are saying.”
One such comes from Wes Corbett, the terrific banjo player with the Sam Bush Band.
View this post on Instagram
Solivan tells us that they have been working on a design and process for these new picks for two years, with a number of set-backs along the way. But they all feel quite confident that they have a winner on their hands now.
Two picks are available, one using the standard shape players will recognize from the National thumbpicks, and a rounded-end blade for those who like to grind theirs down.
These ToneSlabs thumbpicks will be sold at $40 apiece, but ToneSlabs is offering an introductory price of $35 on pre-orders received before the March delivery date.
Check out all the offerings from ToneSlabs online.
