The Story
The initial idea and driving force behind the creation of 'Zen' undoubtedly started as a small seed planted, in the subconscious mind of a young guitarist many years ago. He had been playing from a young age and couldn't quite find the perfect pick. His first plectrum had been a generic 1970s confetti style pick...just a little too large and a little too thin! After some experimentation he'd moved to a small Gibson Teardrop pick which seemed to be OK size-wise, but wore down far too fast leaving a little 'bobble' on the end of the pick which caught on the strings as he played.
A little while later the urge for another change initiated a move to Jim Dunlop Jazz III picks. He liked the size but in the back of his head there was a niggling issue with the tone. To be honest this was the first time he had really noticed the massive difference in tone between materials and tip shapes on various picks, the tone seemed a little dead, the nylon plasticky. At this time he was gigging regularly and teaching guitar to an expanding amount of students, talk often turned to guitar picks...size, materials, thickness and tone.
Taking a sideways step he moved to the small Jim Dunlop Stubby, again the size was close to what he had in the back of his mind, but still not the nirvana he was searching for. With the passing of time his search continued and he started to look off the beaten track at smaller independent manufacturers. Among the many he tried were the excellent 'Red Bear picks'. Made in very small batches, the one that got his attention was just a little larger than a Jazz III but still smaller than a regular 351 pick. So close, he was in touching distance of the perfect pick. Later, through his travels he came across the superb 'Manouche' Gypsy Jazz guitar picks from Holland who made him a custom size and thickness pick to his specifications, these were without doubt the best he'd used so far.
But the need for change creeps up on you slowly, and after a while he felt the need to create his own picks...to experiment, design and innovate. Fast forward to the present and the creation of Zen Guitar Picks...
A little while later the urge for another change initiated a move to Jim Dunlop Jazz III picks. He liked the size but in the back of his head there was a niggling issue with the tone. To be honest this was the first time he had really noticed the massive difference in tone between materials and tip shapes on various picks, the tone seemed a little dead, the nylon plasticky. At this time he was gigging regularly and teaching guitar to an expanding amount of students, talk often turned to guitar picks...size, materials, thickness and tone.
Taking a sideways step he moved to the small Jim Dunlop Stubby, again the size was close to what he had in the back of his mind, but still not the nirvana he was searching for. With the passing of time his search continued and he started to look off the beaten track at smaller independent manufacturers. Among the many he tried were the excellent 'Red Bear picks'. Made in very small batches, the one that got his attention was just a little larger than a Jazz III but still smaller than a regular 351 pick. So close, he was in touching distance of the perfect pick. Later, through his travels he came across the superb 'Manouche' Gypsy Jazz guitar picks from Holland who made him a custom size and thickness pick to his specifications, these were without doubt the best he'd used so far.
But the need for change creeps up on you slowly, and after a while he felt the need to create his own picks...to experiment, design and innovate. Fast forward to the present and the creation of Zen Guitar Picks...