What material are these picks made from?

The plectrums are manufactured from Clear Horn, which is a natural material primarily composed of keratin. This material is chosen for its similarity to traditional tortoiseshell in both feel and tonal response.

How many picks are included in the B50 pack?

The Timber Tones Jazz Tones Clear Horn B50 is supplied as a set of four individual plectrums. This ensures the player has consistent backups of the same gauge and material.

What is the specific shape of these plectrums?

They feature the Jazz Tones shape, which consists of a compact grip area and a short, sharp chamfered tip. This design is optimized for speed and precise articulation.

Which types of guitars are best suited for these picks?

These picks are designed for electric, acoustic, and archtop jazz guitars. They are particularly effective at bringing out a warm, rounded sound on hollow-body instruments.

Do these picks sound like traditional tortoiseshell?

Yes, due to the keratin composition of the clear horn, these picks provide a tonal response very similar to tortoiseshell. They offer a smooth, full sound that lacks the brittle high-end of some plastics.

Are these picks good for fast lead playing?

The sharp chamfered tip is specifically designed for speed and definition. This makes them highly suitable for guitarists who play fast passages or intricate jazz lines.

What is the typical price for the four-pack?

The typical price range for this pack of four plectrums is approximately £14.00. This places them in the premium category of guitar accessories.

Can these be used for rhythm guitar playing?

While designed for precision, the warm and rounded response of the Clear Horn material makes them excellent for rhythm playing. They provide a smooth attack that works well for chordal work.

How does the 'Clear Horn' material affect the grip?

Clear Horn provides a smooth and reliable grip area. The material tends to feel organic and comfortable against the fingers compared to standard synthetic materials.

Is the tip rounded or sharp?

The tip is sharp and features a chamfered edge. This allows for a clear note attack and helps the pick glide off the string with minimal resistance.

Are these related to brass instruments like the Yamaha YHR671?

No, despite the name 'horn', these are guitar plectrums made from natural horn material. They are entirely different from brass instruments like the Yamaha YHR671 French Horn or tenor horns.

Why is keratin significant in a guitar pick?

Keratin is the same protein found in natural tortoiseshell and fingernails. In a pick, it offers a unique combination of flexibility and hardness that produces a 'warm' yet 'defined' tone.

Gear article

Timber Tones Jazz Tones Clear Horn Plectrums

The Timber Tones Jazz Tones Clear Horn Pack of Four (B50) consists of luxury guitar plectrums manufactured from natural keratin. Designed specifically for electric, acoustic, and archtop jazz guitars, these picks provide a warm, rounded tonal response similar to traditional tortoiseshell while offering the precision required for high-speed technical playing.

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Overview and Material Composition

Timber Tones specializes in the production of plectrums using natural materials to achieve specific tonal characteristics. The Jazz Tones Clear Horn series is crafted from natural horn, a material composed primarily of keratin. This protein-based composition is significant because it shares the same structural properties as traditional, now-prohibited tortoiseshell. The result is a plectrum that provides a smooth, frictionless glide across the strings, reducing the 'click' associated with standard plastic picks.

Design and Ergonomics

The 'Jazz Tones' shape is a specialized geometry intended for players who require maximum control. The picks feature a compact grip area that encourages a close, controlled hand position. The most notable feature is the short, sharp chamfered tip. This specific beveling allows the pick to release from the string quickly, facilitating faster alternate picking and more defined note separation during complex passages.

Yamaha YHR671 Professional Series Double French Horn

Tonal Character

In terms of sonic profile, the Clear Horn material is known for its balance of warmth and clarity. It produces a full-bodied, rounded response that is particularly well-suited for the mellow frequencies of an archtop or the resonance of an acoustic guitar. Unlike synthetic materials that can sound harsh in the high-end frequencies, these horn picks soften the attack while maintaining the 'definition' needed for lead lines to cut through a mix.

Target Audience and Applications

While versatile enough for various styles, these picks are primarily designed for jazz, fusion, and technical guitarists. The combination of a sharp tip and a warm material makes them ideal for:

Archtop Jazz Guitars: Enhancing the natural woody resonance of the instrument.
Electric Lead Playing: Providing accuracy for fast, intricate scales.
Acoustic Rhythm: Offering a smooth response that avoids excessive percussive noise.

Market Context

Retailing at approximately £14 for a pack of four, these plectrums occupy the premium segment of the market. They are positioned as a high-performance alternative to standard nylon or celluloid picks. While the music industry uses the term 'horn' across various categories—such as the Yamaha YHR671 French Horn or Denis Wick Tenor Horn mouthpieces—Timber Tones applies the material science of natural horn specifically to the interface between the player and the guitar strings.

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Frequently asked questions

What material are these picks made from?: The plectrums are manufactured from Clear Horn, which is a natural material primarily composed of keratin. This material is chosen for its similarity to traditional tortoiseshell in both feel and tonal response.
How many picks are included in the B50 pack?: The Timber Tones Jazz Tones Clear Horn B50 is supplied as a set of four individual plectrums. This ensures the player has consistent backups of the same gauge and material.
What is the specific shape of these plectrums?: They feature the Jazz Tones shape, which consists of a compact grip area and a short, sharp chamfered tip. This design is optimized for speed and precise articulation.
Which types of guitars are best suited for these picks?: These picks are designed for electric, acoustic, and archtop jazz guitars. They are particularly effective at bringing out a warm, rounded sound on hollow-body instruments.
Do these picks sound like traditional tortoiseshell?: Yes, due to the keratin composition of the clear horn, these picks provide a tonal response very similar to tortoiseshell. They offer a smooth, full sound that lacks the brittle high-end of some plastics.
Are these picks good for fast lead playing?: The sharp chamfered tip is specifically designed for speed and definition. This makes them highly suitable for guitarists who play fast passages or intricate jazz lines.
What is the typical price for the four-pack?: The typical price range for this pack of four plectrums is approximately £14.00. This places them in the premium category of guitar accessories.
Can these be used for rhythm guitar playing?: While designed for precision, the warm and rounded response of the Clear Horn material makes them excellent for rhythm playing. They provide a smooth attack that works well for chordal work.
How does the 'Clear Horn' material affect the grip?: Clear Horn provides a smooth and reliable grip area. The material tends to feel organic and comfortable against the fingers compared to standard synthetic materials.
Is the tip rounded or sharp?: The tip is sharp and features a chamfered edge. This allows for a clear note attack and helps the pick glide off the string with minimal resistance.
Are these related to brass instruments like the Yamaha YHR671?: No, despite the name 'horn', these are guitar plectrums made from natural horn material. They are entirely different from brass instruments like the Yamaha YHR671 French Horn or tenor horns.
Why is keratin significant in a guitar pick?: Keratin is the same protein found in natural tortoiseshell and fingernails. In a pick, it offers a unique combination of flexibility and hardness that produces a 'warm' yet 'defined' tone.