Blue Heavy Nylon Pick, 12 Pack marked West Germany

Essential to get Edge’s tone on U2 covers. Play with the textured side edge. Pun not intended.

I found myself here after reading the Edge of U2 has used these picks for years. He supposedly grips them the wrong way so the scratchy textured grips surface grates against the string to contribute to his characteristic sound. Holy cow, but I think this actually works. Noticed right away very different sound, picking single strings or two note chords with a finger, that extra little something from the grating of the textured surface, its like night and day, really pops. I am not being sarcastic, this really contributes a unique quality that makes the notes pop out and have more gravitas to them (substitute whatever term you might think once you hear it.). Flipping the pick back around the other way or using a regular pick and I'm not kidding but I immediately missed that extra something. Try it, it was worth it for me, took a whole couple seconds to find out it really contributes a definition and grit, think the single notes of the d shape of the verse of Sunday Bloody Sunday and it will hit you in the face there is a difference. I ordered the blue, I normally play a fender faux-tortoise medium classic style pick or dunlop .60 tortex, and the blue felt perfectly natural, I was worried from the description it might be heavier than I wanted but others had suggested it was more medium and it feels that way to me too. I found the Blues easy to play either normally or rotated for the scratching effect, and it really works. Try it.

These picks really are special and are a crucial component of The Edge's patented "Vox chime", fed into a dual delay pedal with modulation, and then into the front end of a Vox AC30. I think the most important aspect of a pick is that the player using is comfortable with it, and that it fits with your playing style. That being said, this is a pretty versatile overall pick that I could see becoming my preferred choice on electric guitar.The reason these particular Herdim picks are sought after is actually the dimpled portion on the fat end of the pick. Normally, this would be the part of the pick you hold, and it is a very comfortable grip for extra control and stability. But The Edge used the pick upside down so that the dimples would grip and release the strings momentarily, almost like a pinch. As any guitar player knows, there is a huge tonal difference between fingerstyle and using a pick, and the same principles apply to picking strings with the dimpled portion of a Herdim (versus a regular, smooth pick). It really gives the notes a more aggressive, brighter, and more articulate attack. This becomes critical with The Edge's use of dotted eighth delays, where that initial note may repeat several times in rhythm. While you certainly do not NEED a Herdim pick to play notes like that effectively, I have to admit that there is a noticeable difference in single notes and appreciated sequences. For chord play and faster parts, I still prefer to hold the pick the normal way, as the string can occasionally catch up on the dimples or on any rough surfaces around the top of the pick.In terms of thickness, I believe the Blue one is the thickest (at 0.88mm), but because it is a nylon pick, I was pleasantly surprised at how it still has a bit of flexibility. My normal picks are the Dunlop Tortex (orange) or Ultex (clear), both at 0.60mm. In terms of rigidity, the Blue 0.88m Herdim is probably between an Orange and Yellow Tortex, despite being thicker than both. Thicker picks transfer energy more efficiently to the string, but can be harder to play rhythmically (particularly for big strums) and have less dynamic range. The Blue Herdim, in addition to having the cool upside-down-dimple-face trick, is a pretty good compromise across all of these different needs.With all that being said, the Herdims are EXPENSIVE (paid a bit over a dollar a pick in this purchase), and I didn't want 12 of them initially, but that was the only bundle that made sense. My local stores don't carry them, and even a lot of the popular online guitar sites don't seem to have them. I have to think there are more cost-effective alternatives, and I might explore that. Some people even rough up their own picks with a file. Dunlop makes a gray nylon pick with dimples, but the grip parts are higher and less uniform, so it's less predictable as it rakes across a string.This is probably the most anyone has ever written about a one dollar piece of plastic/nylon, and I am irrationally proud of that. Given all of the above, I think the Herdim picks ARE the best choice for me, and totally lived up to the mythical expectations, but I would also hope that I get some life out of them and do not have to continue ordering them, due to the premium price. Given what people are willing to spend on other types of guitar gear, it does seem like a pretty reasonable premium for what is really an important and underappreciated aspect of good tone.

This pick is heavenly. Like as if it came from a place where the streets have no name. I also like the use the Edge of the pick to get a nice chime from the textured side. Works great with acoustic and electric guitars... Anytime I use this pick is a beautiful day. I'll continue to use them with or without you.

Picks are great, I wish it was a little thicker but it still feels great. Cool chimey tone when using the grippy side

and my guess is you're not either. But...like most guitarists I know, we'll try anything that could help us along the way. The problem being most of the items we acquire in a moment of fantasy and disposable income dont. Sure the Herdim has the crazy Edge (pun intended) that will scrub the dickens out of your strings but it's just like any other pick I've bought in my 60 odd years of playing...although I suspect I could put this under the corner stone of some building and because of its material and density it will long outlast the human race. Its really nothing special, well unless your The Edge.

Something Has Changed.......I have been a big fan of Herdim picks forever, especially the Blue and Yellow when a certain popular sound is required. Although labeled as "heavy" they are about the same as a Fender medium, without the dimples. I have noticed that about half of each order has an edge defect from the molding process (see photos). Older Herdim picks I have, and I have pick arsenals all over my control room are perfectly molded on the edge where the dimples are, which is why most players buy these to get that jingly sound. The quality control could be better, like the old days before that "guy" made these popular again. I found that a super fine grit nail file will modify the problem, never had to do this to a pick in decades of playing.

If you love the band U2, then this, as much as the guitar, amp, and effects, makes the Edge sound like The Edge. The trick is to turn the pick around and use the "grippy/scratchy" part against the strings. I turn mine 90degrees because I still like some roundness against the string.But really, these are great picks. If only they came with a built-in dotted 8th delay... :) (if you get that joke, get these picks)