Artist Endorsements
"The Red Bear Lil' Jazzer is my ultimate flat pick! Smooth, articulate and toneful! I love the feel of the pick ... really nice and even tones with very little pick noise. I prefer the right hand speed bevel, and the grip holes are cool too. The Lil' Jazzer plays and sounds great. The notes are very defined and clean. I find that I don't have to work as hard to get the tones from my guitar. After hours of playing and gigging there is no wear in sight. You guys make a great pick! Thank you Red Bear!"
Carl Roa - Magic Elf, Carl Roa Band, Guitar World Columnist Carl's Website
"The quest of the right pick can be a life-long story for a guitarist, but I finally found the pick that meets all my expectations : dynamics, expression and sound are never betrayed by a Red Bear pick."
Norbert Galo - Josh Groban Norbert's MySpace Page
"What guitar pick I was using was probably the last thing on my mind. Last year when I started experimenting with different kinds to see how my playing reacted I sought out the latest innovation in guitar pick design. That is when I found Red Bear. It is hard to explain what this pick changes in my playing but I can say that it is worth every penny! There is a tonal quality I cannot get anywhere else. thanks guys!
Devin Bronson - Avril Levigne
"Over the years and there have been plenty of them, I have tried just about every pick on the planet. Some were good, none were great until I got a Red Bear. An old Bass player pal Gary Carlson clued me into them, My first thought was, well, these seem pretty stiff, then I played for about 3 minutes on a Martin D35 and realized that I was hearing tone from that guitar that I had never heard before. Now I realize skeptics will be saying, Its just a pick how big a difference can it make? Let me tell you, it makes a HUGE difference. I play with Johnny Hiland, you have to be able to cut through and make every note count. With Red Bear I can. I have to admit I was a huge skeptic till I got one and played with it. I am a tone junkie and these are the BEST picks I have ever played with, they really make you play cleaner and better. I did a session in Nashville last week with the Red Bear and the tracks were incredible and huge. its my secret weapon of choice. Who would of thought that a pick could add that much tone. For what its worth, I wont be using anything else. I love me some Red Bear!!!
After receiving his Bear Claw thumb pick Mike writes . . .
"HOLY [CRAP]!!!! I love this thumbpick Dave...I will never use anything else...Can you send me a back up? I am thrilled, these are easily the best ones I have ever used. I dont know If I mentioned to you but Chet Atkins was my mentor for 20 years. He taught me to use the thumbpick. He would have killed for these. He tried everything you can imagine."
Micheal "Great Bear" Clair, The Johnny Hiland Band
"What I love most about the Red Bear C-HVY is it's transparency. You can barely hear a pick on the strings when I play my acoustic guitar and mandolin. Suddenly it's all about the sound of the strings and the instrument itself. It is a fundamentally different sound"
Tommy Shaw - STYX/Damn Yankees/Shaw Blades Tommy's Website
"Touring my father's music in Zappa Plays Zappa is an incredible challenge. The music requires a deft touch and total commitment to excellence. Some of the parts I've learned to play are intensely difficult. I found something recently that really makes a difference in my ability to execute those hard parts more accurately and with better tone. It's my new secret weapon! An extra heavy hand made pick from Red Bear Trading Company. I could feel the difference in playability and hear the difference in tone instantly. In my tests, I noticed that picks with more mass imparted more bass and generally created a smoother tone. It sounds crazy but it's true. Try it for yourself."
Dweezil Zappa - Award winning musician, inventor and composer
"In that never-ending quest for tonal contentment, so many of the things we guitarists try (higher action, heavier string gauges etc etc...) have a tendency to make playing more difficult. One of the great things about the Red Bear picks, however, is that they not only improve your tone - they actually make playing easier. Additionally, it rather appeals to my inner hippie that I can now enjoy the distinctive sound of a turtleshell pick without incurring any detriment to the turtle community."
Guthrie Govan
"After so many years working as a professional guitarist, I still find out a pick that can surprise me. Red Bear's are simply the best picks I've ever used in my life because they have a tone and an extraordinary definition. Moreover, the tact is amazing."
Jose De Castro - Madrid, Spain Jose on MySpace A little snippet of Jose's playing with a Red Bear pick Jose's Website
"As the guitar player in the soul/funk band Tower of Power I need a strong rhythm and lead sound to cut through the mix of such a large and powerful band. A loud guitar and amp is one thing, but the clear definition I obtain comes from using such a high quality pick not made from conventional materials. Red Bear picks make such a huge difference in the overall tone and feel. The notes just sound bigger, rounder and more beautiful. My current fave Red Bear pick is the Tuff Tone Classic. I am really appreciating the durability and longevity of these picks. I have been playing and rotating several Tuff Tone picks for the last five months and I'm still not experiencing any chipping or breaking. Thanks so much Dave and Monica for making my musical experiences that much more positive."
Jerry Cortez - Guitarist for Tower of Power
“Your tone starts right here!” At first, my inner-skeptic set in. But then, I got my pick in the mail and began to play. Instantly, I could hear a change in my tone, and the pick bounced off of the strings with speed and ease. When playing dynamically, through different pressures and attacks, the pick delivered full tone, even when picking or strumming very softly. The pick felt natural in my fingers and didn’t move or rotate while playing. For an hour, I did a side-by-side comparison with a variety of standard, cheap picks. I quickly learned that the comparison of everyday, run-of-the mill picks to the Red Bear product was completely unfair. The cheaper picks didn’t stand a chance! Standard picks suddenly sounded dull and felt like they were grabbing on to the strings while playing. I can honestly say that my Red Bear pick made me faster, more articulate, and more accurate. With such a diverse product lineup, Red Bear makes absolutely, the best picks on the planet. Get yours today, and hear how your tone and playing improves. “Your tone starts right here!” It’s a fact. After twenty years, I feel like I just began to really play guitar for the first time, thanks to Red Bear and their amazing line of picks."
Tracey Emery – Foolsbane Guitarist, 2010
"Red Bear picks are amazing, I used to think that the best tone I got was from my fingers, specially my thumb and I always look for a pick that can give me that. With Red Bear I found it. I love what it does for my sound - big and fat tone, very clear and articulate, and they actually make me playing easier. Dave treats his endorsees and clients as kings, with top-notch service. I think that it´s the best pick in the world, and I'm very proud of using them"
Fernando Pareta - Argentina Fernando on Myspace
"The first time I used the Lil Jazzer, I couldn't believe the tone I was hearing! It was amazing, the sound was warm and woody in character and reminded me of my old tortoise shell picks! On an acoustic instrument or plugged in, you won't find a better pick anywhere!" - Andy Wood
"I love the tone of real tortoise shell picks but I have not used them for about ten years because they always wore out so fast and the edges got chewed up and rough. When I use the double-down-up technique it grinds those tortoise shell picks down real fast. When I was given a Red Bear pick I was skeptical. I told them that I'd have to use it for at least a month before I'd know if it was going to work for me. I loved the tone I was getting with the Red Bear right away, but I had to see if they would hold up. After about five weeks of using the pick I was completely sold. They don't wear like tortoise, yet they have that tortoise tone and feel. It is now my pick of choice."
Brad shows you what a Red Bear pick can do
Brad Davis performed onstage with country star Marty Stuart for ten years (1992-2002), performed and recorded with the Sam Bush Band (2002-2004), toured with John Jorgenson's Gypsy Jazz Quintet (2005), and has been a member of Earl Scruggs' Family and Friends band since 2001. He also records and tours with movie actor Billy Bob Thornton's rock & roll band and has embarked on a successful solo career (www.braddavisontour.com).
I have to be frank, when I read about your picks I figured what could they possibly do to make a pick better? Then I read a Dweezil Zappa interview where he raved about them. Being a gear freak, I knew I had to check them out. Well your picks arrived Saturday and I was blown away. I'm in the middle of a practice frenzy right now revamping my playing, approach, and sound so the timing of this new pick arriving is perfect. Once I started playing with one yesterday I stayed up till 4:30 am ! I just could not stop playing. All the lines I have been working on were just popping out of my guitar. Articulate, crisp and FAT sounding!! I'm not sure why they work but who cares??? Thank U so much for adding a powerful weapon to my musical arsenal. This pick is amazing! "
Vinnie Zummo, former Joe Jackson guitarist, writer, producer and solo artist. Check out Vinnie's new CD: "Swinging Guitar Sounds of Young America" at: CD Baby
Ede Wright No. 9 Extra-Heavy pick with Speed-Bevel and grips
These picks are soooooo good, it's incredible the tone they impart on the string. At first it seems expensive for a pick but it's actually the least expensive major tone improvement I know of. And when you think about where your tone starts, it's the most important.
Ede Wright - Jazz/Funk Guitarist
Video Testimonials from our customers
A Customer's Pick Review by Nacho Nacho
A demonstration by Red Bear Customer Robert DiMaio
Customer Riffs with Red Bear Picks
Danillo Rocha with his Red Bear Big Jazzer
Written Testimonials
Keith Sewell
"Tortoise shell has always been regarded for it's warmth and it's organic feel and tone. Most plastic picks can't compare to it's character. When I tried a Red bear tortis pick, It was hard to believe it wasn't tortoise shell. Once I learned it was made from a natural animal protein, I was convinced that Dave had found a sensible alternative that has all the comparisons to real tortoise shell. It's very consistent too! I just ordered another batch, thanks Dave! "
Keith Sewell - Guitar for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (formerly), Currently playing guitar and Mandolin for Lyle Lovett's Large Band
Emory Lester Style E Medium Gauge pick with Speed-Bevel
"With these picks that I've received, I've come to learn - first hand - that there is no other pick that comes as close to actual shell as these Red Bear picks that Dave Skowron has created. I have refused to use anything but shell for the last 25 years, and have often refused to even try anything else, because it has been my experience, as well as being widely known, that nothing can come close to shell for tone, playability, etc. So, to get me to try this, and now use these for recording and performing, is a feat, and is totally my gain. I believe that Dave has finally solved the "as good as shell" mystery, and has created something that will make a vast improvement in anyone's sound, and will greatly improve one's ability to play. Obviously, the inclusion of the bevel in these picks is a stroke of genius - making this pick immediately useable, with minimal to no alterations needed in my case. I have truly benefitted from Dave's work, and I am very grateful for these incredible picks."
Emory Lester - Mandolin, Guitar
Stephen Mougin Style C Extra-Heavy pick with Speed-Bevel and grips
"There are so many products on the market these days that claim to do this or that, and it's not often that one lives up to its press. Red Bear Trading Company has done just that, and maybe more. These picks are as good as it gets. They make my tone richer by bringing out more of the beautiful top resonances that other materials mute, and on top of that they play well. I mean REALLY well. I'm playing faster and cleaner than ever because of that magical something that happens when these picks slide off a string. It isn't often that a pick inspires you to play, but that's just what these do for me."
Stephen "Mojo" Mougin - Guitarist for Sam Bush, and his own band, The Stephen Mougin Band"
Stephen's Website
Todd Parsnow
"After reading the many fine testimonials and articles on Red Bear tortis picks, I had to try it myself, and YES they sound great!! Fat, warm, and a natural feel. The pick is sometimes overlooked as a factor of the quest for great tone, yet it is what makes contact with the string! Do yourself a favor and give Red Bear Picks a try!!"
Todd Parsnow - Guitarist, currently a member of the Lucky Peterson Band and Roy Hargrove's RH Factor
John Layton
" I love my New Tortis picks !!! You were not kidding about the control and tonal improvement that these picks afford a player...I've tried all three picks with all of my guitars (elecrtic and acoustic) and they all come alive when using the New Tortis picks ! I will be using them for all my recording sessions and as many live shows as possible."
John Layton - Nashville session guitarist, touring with such acts as Gary Allan, Mark Chesnutt and Colin Raye.
Doug LeBow
Red Bear's "New Tortis" picks are simply superb! I have both medium and light gauge "Classics", and I am completely sold on their feel and tone. I guess I had gotten used to the "whappy" sound of the picks I'd been using for years, because I just can not believe how much more expressive my OM-42 acoustic sounds when using my Red Bear! I'll never go back to my old picks again.
Doug LeBow - LeBow Music & Multimedia, Inc. Santa Clarita, CA
LeBow Music
Two-time Grammy Winner Marcy Marxer says:
"Dave has done a great service to acoustic musicians and turtles alike. These picks are great. They make my Martin sing with a warm deep low end and a sparkle on top. Tortis picks must have megapixels! They bring out all the colors of the sonic spectrum! Thanks Dave and all at Red Bear Trading!"
Marcy Marxer - Grammy Winner 2004 and 2005, Kaufy Award Recipient 2005. Performs and has recorded with Cathy Fink, Tom Paxton, Pete Seeger, Eva Cassidy, Mary Chapin Carpenter and many more.
From Jim Nunally:
I received my Tortis picks in the mail one day before I left for a 12 day tour. I asked for the speed bevel on a 1.65mm style C pick. I had to do a little grooming of the pick to get the edge to feel like the tortoise shell picks I am use to. I've been using shell picks for about 20+ years and hadn't found a decent replacement, that is until I contacted Red Bear Trading about the Tortis picks. These Tortis picks appear to be as good as tortoise if not better. They feel like shell picks, sound like shell, they wear like shell, and they are legal. Being legal is what places them above shell. I say buy em'.
Jim Nunally performs with John Reischman and the Jaybirds, the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Due West, and in a duo with Dix Bruce. And now uses Tortis picks.
Scott Coney "I just received my New Tortis picks from Red Bear Trading Company. Wow!!!!!! I have used real tortoise picks since I began playing guitar twenty five years ago. I was very skeptic about a pick that was claiming to be "man-made" tortoiseshell, but these picks are so close to the real thing, that I have a hard time telling which is which! I ordered my picks with the speed bevel on them. It felt like the picks had already been "played in". The New Tortis picks are finally the picks I've been looking for. I will be using the New Tortis picks exclusively from now on. They're that good!
We will be playing at Carnegie Hall in New York City on November 14 and the CMA awards on November 15, 2005. There is no doubt that I'll be using a New Tortis pick from Red Bear Trading Company for both performances. Thanks for such a great and innovative product. I'll be a "New Tortis" player from here on in!"
Scott Coney, guitarist for Alan Jackson
Lynn Dudenbostel:
"Picks really make a big difference in the tonal color of your instrument. I've had a favorite pick for about 4 years now, but since getting the New Tortis pick, it's the only one I use. It's amazing how much better it makes me sound!"
A few months later, Dude writes . . .
"I thought Dave hit a home run with the Tortis picks a few months ago, but his new speed bevel is even better. It really gives a great sound across the board, but particularly on the mid and low end of my mandolin. Now, I'll tell you, it's a good thing I make my living building instruments and not by playing them (my family might starve if I tried the latter), but even I can tell an improvement in my right hand technique with the speed bevel! Keep up the good work Dave, I'm a convert to Tortis!"
Lynn Dudenbostel, Master Luthier - Maryville, TN
Chris Newman For many years I never gave my choice of pick a second thought, and used pretty much anything that was available. Some years ago I was given a Clayton Gold, and I was amazed at the different sound that came out of the guitar. Since then I've been very aware of the importance of the type of pick used, and coming across Dave's Tortis picks has been another huge revelation. The feel of the pick is excellent, especially with the little holes drilled near the top, and the range of tones available is terrific. Most guitarists (self included) spend huge amounts of time, effort and money trying to find the perfect instrument, most suitable strings and so on, but the easiest (and probably cheapest) significant upgrade is the choice of pick. New Tortis picks are absolutely at the top of my list. "
Chris Newman, Yorkshire, England
Note: Chris' custom made New Tortis Pick is shown. It is a "B" Medium Speed Bevel which incorporates the grip holes we fondly refer to as "The Newman Grip". This or a similar grip is available on all our picks. Ask your dealer or contact us for more information.
Butch Baldassari, Nashville, TN
"I've been using Tortoise Shell picks off and on since the early 80's in search of the ultimate acoustic tone...Every now and then I would give some other pick materials a try, usually to NO AVAIL. The New Tortis pick is THE ONLY material that I have ever encountered that can give real tortoise shell a run for its money...In a blindfold test you'd be hard-pressed to pick one over the other...I'm a believer!!!"
Butch Baldassari, Professional Mandolinist, Nashville, TN
Steve Kilby
"For the past thirty years I've searched for a pick which would give me the sound of the original tortoise shell picks without paying the big bucks and then losing the pick, been there and done that. The New Tortis has come the closest to fulfilling my bluegrass flatpicking sound I had years ago when I used "real" torotise shell. Try one and let your audience tell the difference.
Steve Kilby - 1979 North Carolina State Guitar Champion, 7 time Fiddlers Grove Guitar Champion, Two time Galax Guitar Champion. Galax Best All Around Performer 1980
Mike Compton
"I'll have to say that when I first heard of the Tortis picks and their reputation for being "just like real tortoise shell" I was not the least interested. I have spent most of my professional performing years using plastic picks of different sorts that would do an adequate job because tortoise shell was just too expensive to use, although I liked the way they sound on the strings. Besides that, I have a tendency to drop a pick through the cracks in the floor boards now and then, and watching upwards of $50 disappear before my eyes just wasn't something I could deal with on a regular basis.
I was fortunate enough to be given a nice tortoise pick recently and started using it with great satisfaction, but soon found it to be wearing rapidly. I figured I'd go back to the plastic. One afternoon I got an email from Lynn Dudenbostel concerning some mandolin matters and in the course of our exchange he mentioned the Tortis picks he sends out with all his mandolins. I'd never even heard of them, but Lynn raved about how well they work. I figured a guy that can build mandolins like he can must know something. So I emailed Dave Skowron at Red Bear Trading Company and asked for a sample of his picks. They arrived within a few days and I went to work with them right away. I received a few different thicknesses and it didn't take long for me to find one that worked well. I have not stopped using it since. That has been some weeks [years] now and I see no wear whatsoever. They really snap the tone out of these taterbugs and best of all, they feel and sound nearly identical to the tortoise I began using again. I have ordered a dozen more. I am sold on the Tortis material and can't wait to try out the rest when they arrive. Thanks Dave, for a top notch product."
Mike Compton - Mandolin Master, Nashville, TN
Jack Lawrence
"Just got back from B.B. King's and the Newport Folk Festival and found some of Dave's picks in the mail. I'm very impressed. The tortis and clown barf sound and feel great. I got the "speed bevel" models. I did "blunt" the points on them but the bevel is almost exactly like the way I wear picks naturally. I didn't find them to be any more thin and raspy sounding than a brand new TS pick.. I always have to blunt and bevel TS to achieve the tone I want. While it may take a while to modify a TS pick I was able to reshape and polish Dave's picks in a matter of minutes because the bevel was so close to begin with. After A-B-ing Dave's with some of my favorite TS picks I came to the conclusion that they sound just as good. Of course, ymmv but I'm very satisfied. My wife, Katie, thinks the "Clown Barf" picks are really cute. The quality of material and workmanship is top notch."
Jack Lawrence - Journeyman Guitarist and touring partner to Doc Watson
"I love your picks"
Tommy Emmanuel - Guitar Virtuoso
Through the years I have owned dozens of tortoise picks and hundreds of plastic ones. From ceramic to bullhorn, brass to wood, I have tried just about everything. I keep a good variety of picks and enjoy the differences in each. About a month ago I began using a 1.26mm Tortis C model with speed bevel. The tone and playability is great on mandolin as well as guitar. Rich and meaty, yet brilliant with exceptional note separation. This is a wonderful product and has earned its place as one of my favorite picks.
Mike Whitehead, 1994 National Flatpicking Champion, Walnut Valley Festival at Winfield Kansas
"I'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the sound and feel of my Tortis pick and real tortoise shell. It has the same warmth and clarity of tone and I would urge any die-hard tortoise fan to give these a try. I've tried almost every pick on the market and this one's my favorite. Thanks Dave."
Jeff Troxel - 2003 National Flatpicking Champion, Walnut Valley Festival at Winfield Kansas, 2001 Wyoming State Flatpicking Champion, 2003 Utah State Flatpicking Champion.
I'm delighted with my New Tortis pick! Dave has solved an age old problem by designing a product that gives me the tone and feel that I've always liked without any of the problems and expense of real shell. The integrity of this material is a very close replica and the clown barf coloring appeals to my fashion sense! A great idea and a great company to deal with. Thank you Dave Skowron!
Mark Cosgrove - 1995 National Flatpicking Champ, Walnut Valley Festival at Winfield Kansas
"I'm picky about my flatpicks. I like a certain tone and a certain feel and most recently, after a few years of Clayton Golds and Wegens, I returned to some old TS I had been saving. I was again hooked on that warm, full sound only real TS has. However, always curious, I tried a Coral Tortis tricornered (Style "C") with the speed bevel and found THAT SAME SOUND. I reshaped it a bit (as I do every pick) and cannot tell it from real TS. That is, except for the cool swirly coral color. Great product...and finally, a pick that actually IS like real TS. "
Roy Curry - 1980, 1991 National Flatpicking Champ, Walnut Valley Festival at Winfield Kansas
"I used to hold tortoise shell picks off the counter a few inches and drop them, and then do the same with any number of different kinds of picks. The TS picks have a distinctive sound when they bounce and nothing has the same sound. I tried that with the Tortis and I couldn't tell the difference between them and the TS. Then the real test came when I used them at the gig. The guys in the band thought I had gotten some of the best looking TS they had ever seen until I told them it wasn't TS! The Tortis picks have held up well and when you're in a more intimate setting than playing in the band you can really hear the subtle tones of this pick, in the same way as the real TS. It has a warmth like TS. That's what I like about it the most, the warmth in the tone. I think this Tortis pick is the answer to TS everyone's been searching for."
Allen Shadd - 1997 National Flatpicking Champion, Walnut Valley Festival at Winfield Kansas
"The Tortis pick sounds more like real tortoise shell than any other pick I've ever tried. If that's the sound you're after, the Tortis is the one."
Rolly Brown - 1980 National Fingerstyle Champ, Walnut Valley Festival at Winfield Kansas
"I got the picks in the mail today. I'm blown away. They are more that I could've expected. They've instantly replaced my old tortoise shell as my most prized pick. I would've never known the difference if someone had told me these were real tortoise shell. Except these are even better. The Medium and Heavy are my favorites. I've been picking bluegrass all afternoon. Very inspiring. You made my day. Anyhow, you can probably see that I'm very impressed. I'm doing a session in the morning. I'll be bragging on them. . ."
Mike Waldron - Guitar player for Lee Ann Womack and Nashville session player
"After 30 years of trying almost every guitar pick that came along, I finally found the pick that does everything I need. The Tortis Pick, manufactured by Red Bear Trading Company, produces a full, clear sound without any clicks or taps, glides smoothly across the strings, stays put in the hand, and wears like steel. Unless you lose it, the Tortis pick will provide a very long period of excellent performance."
Doc Shuey - The Shuey Brothers Bluegrass Band
"Dave, without a doubt your Tortis pick does everything better. I can't believe the tone and clarity I get from such a heavy pick. This material and its beveled edges is just plain fast. The pick is unbelieveable, and it makes me and my instruments sound better."
Rick Lampkins - The Lampkins Family Band
Champions of the 2003 National Bluegrass Playoffs at the 27th annual Huck Finn Jubilee
I received my pick the other day and love it. The larger "C" shape stays put in my long "monkey like" hands and my Bourgeois never sounded so good. I now have a pile of plastic picks rendered useless... thanks.
Kerry Kling
North Branford, CT
"The sound and feel are right on the money; if this isn't some kind of shell or horn, I don't know what it is. And that's a good thing! The edge was okay as it was, and I haven't had to do anything to it except run it on my buffer to make sure it was smooth. I have about 3-4 hours' playing time on it, and the edge is still polished; very, very good! As it is, if you want to see what the fuss is about concerning shell picks, but you don't want to find and old TS box, or buy one in a back alley at a festival, give Dave a ring; these things are the real deal, as far as feel and tone go . . .it looks, feels and even has that characteristic smell when burnt of real TS."
Mario Proulx - Master Luthier, Ontario, CN
"For years I used tortoise shell picks because they do produce the best tone. As prices went up, and availability was sometimes a challenge, I was forced sometime in the '90s to shift over to heavy conventional picks. I got used to them, I suppose, until a friend, Dan Tankersley, introduced me to the New Tortis picks. First the old "drop" test...sounded like a tortoise when it hit the table. After playing my mandolins and guitars with it, I noticed that great tone that I had missed for years in this new pick. I cannot honestly tell the difference between the New Tortis and an old TS that I've held onto, except that I can easily obtain more of the New Tortis. One thing that I'm jazzed about also is that I like to try different guages, from about 1.1mm all the way up to about 1.6mm for different tones. The cool thing about these is that I get to specify the guage, as opposed to whatever the mysterious "TS man" may have at the time. All in all, the New Tortis has become an inseparable part of me and my music, and after meeting Dave, I can see where the integrity of the pick comes from!"
Roscoe Morgan, Songwriter, Instructor, Performer on Mandolin and Guitar - Maryville, TN
"Dave - Hey man just letting you know the picks you sent are awesome! To be honest I was skeptical if a pick would really make much difference in tone, but comparing it directly to my Dunlop picks that I normally play the difference was shocking. The tone from the tortis pick was fuller, louder, and more musical. Thanks for taking the tone of my guitars up another level.
John Mayes - Master Luthier, Norman, OK
"One of my best students turned me on to Tortis picks. For years I had noticed a vogue amongst mandolin pickers for thicker and rounder picks and the sometimes fatter tone and increased volume that comes with them.Try as I might, though, I couldn't find the pick that would yield a bigger sound but still allow me to do my thing, in other words pick the way I like to, especially when playing jazz. Then my student asked "Have you tried these?"...
Fast forward to the present and I'm carrying a few Tortis Style B Mediums to every gig. I can still pick with the point and I don't need to modify my technique, and the tone is right for any style. Particularly in the bluegrass setting I feel the Tortis helps the mandolin hold it's own against the other instruments in terms of projection.I've used them on jazz rhythm guitar gigs as well--same results.
Do they sound, look or feel like "real" tortoise shell? I've never cared about those sorts of comparisons, I just know they yield a sound I was looking for that works for me. I'm very grateful to Dave for putting them together. Sure the initials "DS" and the holes for grip are cool, but it's the sound that matters most and I can get what I'm after with these picks. "
Don Stiernberg - Mandolin and Guitar Instructor and Performer, Skokie Ill.
" I choose my equipment based on reliability, usability and tone and these are the only picks that I've found adequate and versatile enough to perform both with big bands and small group swing (from acoustic archtop to gypsy jazz style guitars) ensembles that provide consistent tone and feel, two things that are so important for a guitarist. The heavy style D with Speed Bevel is strong enough to withstand aggressive playing, and never loses that sound or grip. Red Bear's Tortis are the only picks that I'll ever need."
Ted Gottsegen - Gypsy Jazz Guitarist
