“Allow you to focus on your technique rather than trying to hold onto the pick”: Bog Street Picks review
What is it?
Bog Street might not have the marquee name brand recognition of other popular pick manufacturers, but once you grab hold of one of their many functionally innovative three-sided guitar picks with a hole in the middle, you might never let go.
That said, Bog Street’s ergonomically contoured picks are a palpable advancement in securing grip control that keeps their picks firmly between your fingers and not on the floor.
Furthermore, as an advantageous byproduct, Bog Street’s specialized picks improve articulation and relaxation for your picking hand, ultimately contributing to a far more beneficial playing experience.
Built quality and performance
Because Bog Street offers over 20 different three-sided pick designs each made from unique materials and composites, it’s best if I cover the ones that focus on the most “aggressive” grips first and then the rest. The Leap series is the company’s original concept pick in “Rhythm” and “Lead” models with each of its tips fashioned in three distinct thicknesses to achieve its stated purpose.
It offers the most surface area and maximum grip texture and is made from high-grade nylon. Similarly, in grip, the Scales series is made of a NEOS (nylon and ABS) composite, and addresses pick slippage with a rubberized grip in a pliant Flex (0.5mm) and thicker Jazz (1.5mm) models, and all three tips share the same gauge.
Finally, the Mini Beast has the smallest surface area (think Jazz III pick) but with an ergonomically raised grip design that’s dual-sided for stability and comfort. It’s made of glass-filled nylon and geared for shredders that demand precision and stiffness for clear articulation.
Next up is the Axe Series of picks, which, in my view, are the most popular and versatile in Bog Street’s family of picks. These series of picks (Axe Blade, Axe Cut and Battle Axe) are constructed in either the NEOS composite or in “Ultem-Tak” (a brighter-sounding Ultem material available only in black).
I found that the centered hole and surrounding textured surface relax your grip by connecting the tips of your thumb and index finger where you won’t feel the need to squeeze as tightly
Both the Axe Blade and Axe Cut offer a flat flex tip in one gauge and two identical bevel tips in a heavier gauge on three sides, allowing for swift rotations between playing styles. On the other hand, the Battle Axe maintains the same gauge thickness on all three of its sharply beveled tips.
The Axe Cut is also slightly larger than the Axe Blade and Battle Axe, and all three feature a raised grip texture for secureness. The Axe series comes in Light, Medium, Heavy and Textured models.
Regardless of which Bog Street pick you choose, I found that the centered hole and surrounding textured surface relax your grip by connecting the tips of your thumb and index finger where you won’t feel the need to squeeze as tightly.
When you strike the strings, you feel the pressure you’re exerting as the pick gently undulates against your fingertips, effectively reducing tension to your picking hand and allowing you to focus on your technique rather than trying to hold onto the pick.
Many will say the feel is certainly different, but the more you play these picks the more they start to make sense. Because of their broader surface area and enhanced grip, both the Leap and Scales models are not the kind of picks I’d gravitate toward, but I can admire that these multifaceted picks allow certain players an easier path to connecting with their instrument.
I’ve been using Jazz III picks, so the Mini Beast felt like familiar territory for faster playing, but its raised dual sides added more mass between my fingers which took getting used to. The Axe series felt more like a proper-sized pick, with the Battle Axe and Axe Blade standing out as favorites.
I loved Battle Axe for its tripled consistency on each of its chiseled tips that worked smoothly for speedy runs. I also warmed up to the Axe Blade for its dual-thickness design and a rounded flat tip that capably handled vigorous strumming and then shifting toward the harder-edged beveled tips for solos.
More importantly, how do they sound? Overall, because of their synthetic makeup and composite materials, they all seem to have a brighter response with an immediate attack but there are hints of muted warmth if you use their lighter-gauged picks and ease up on your attack.
Verdict
No doubt, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s difficult to switch gears and convert to an alternatively different pick – especially if you’ve developed as a player with the more common and conventional plectrums you’ve grown accustomed to – however, it’s not hard to say that Bog Street is onto something pivotal for discriminating players who want an enhanced pick that addresses grip control, comfort and increased accuracy.
Their three-sided picks with precisely rounded and beveled edges lead to cleaner articulation for your picking hand over conventional plectrums
Guitar World verdict: Bog Street’s ergonomic contours for their picks yield relaxed comfort and the utmost grip control. Their three-sided picks with precisely rounded and beveled edges lead to cleaner articulation for your picking hand over conventional plectrums. Their novel pick material blends offer myriad tones from bright to mellow.
Specs
Price: From $25 and up; sampler pack (contains 17 picks), $40
Contact: Bog Street
Hands-on videos
Riffs, Beards & Gear
R.J. Ronquillo
Bog Street
Responses