2) If I am really curious about all of the Crossover Pick models, do you have a special offer or incentive to buy all four?Yes! Buy any two or more of the Crossover Picks and get a FREE heart shaped semi-precious stone guitar pick.
The hand made stone picks have been selected by professional players and teachers who claim that this stone pick design improves a players flat picking skills. The stone pick material also has a very beautiful glassy tone and feels really good due to the thumb indent and anti-friction engraving on the opposite surface.
The FREE stone pick has a US$10.00 retail value! Please call Greg M. Atkin direct at 714-663-0071 to redeem your free stone pick.
3) What are the component parts of the Crossover Pick system?There are two primary components to each of the Crossover Pick systems. First, the textile thumb strap is made of Neoprene or twill nylon. Second, a pick/strap assembly is provided that mounts into (onto) the textile strap.
4) What is included in the package?Each basic Crossover Pick package comes with the comfortable thumb wrap, a medium gauge flat pick/strap assembly, a heavy gage flat pick/strap assembly and an extra hook Velcro strap for your own pick application. It should be noted that the SharkTooth “Traditional” and "Super Hybrid" models come with two Neoprene thumb wraps for greater value & improved durability.
5) What flat pick material and gauges are provided in the dual package and how do you characterize the tone produced?a) The lively sounding SharkTooth flat picks are made from the popular white pearl celluloid material and they come in both a medium (0.75mm) and heavy (1.0mm) gage. The beautiful overtones are more active with this material in my opinion.
b) The Kodiak flat picks are made from a polymer material called Delrin. The long wearing polymer picks have a warm or quiet tone similar to the popular Tortex brand flat picks from Dunlop. They come in both a medium (0.8mm) and heavy (1.0mm) gage.
6) How do I use my favorite flat pick with the Traditional SharkTooth Crossover Pick?The Traditional model of the SharkTooth Crossover Pick comes with a spare hook Velcro strap so you can use your favorite flat-pick.To use your own pick, take the supplied pick/strap assembly out of the Neoprene wrap and set it aside. Find the spare hook Velcro strap that is supplied in the package. Place the spare hook Velcro strap in the Neoprene wrap with the blank end of the hook strap located adjacent to the 7/16" hole in the sleeve. Lock the two components together using the Velcro action.
Now drop in your favorite flat-pick with the tip of the pick protruding through the lateral hole. Medium or standard size flat-picks work best.Hold the pick and sleeve between your thumb and first finger as you might normally use it during play. Then, wrap the Velcro strap combination around the thumb and bring the Neoprene wrap around from the opposite side to overlap with the hook Velcro strap. Lock with the Velcro action. Note: do not worry about the tension on the thumb just yet.
Adjust the pick tip and general location of the pick on the thumb (in other words, find the sweet spot). Finally, re-adjust the Velcro straps as desired to achieve the proper tension needed to hold the pick firmly in place. Experiment as required.
7) For a first time buyer, what model do you recommend?I recommend beginning with the SharkTooth “Traditional" model, now in its design version 4.0. The “Traditional” model allows the player to easily use their favorite flat pick with the system and there is no glue required to use a standard size flat pick. In addition, you now get two (2) Neoprene wraps included in each dual package.
8) If I were to try two of the models, which two do you recommend?That is an easy decision. The “Traditional” SharkTooth v4.0 and the Kodiak Crossover Pick share the same design hook Velcro pick/strap assembly. Therefore, the player can use either the SharkTooth or the Kodiak picks with the Neoprene or twill nylon wrap system. In other words, the two models compliment each other making the purchase a great value. See question #2 above for the free heart stone offer!
9) What is unique about the “Super Hybrid” SharkTooth model?The “Super Hybrid” SharkTooth Crossover Pick consists of a wider Neoprene wrap as compared to the ST Traditional. The wrap is very secure for both children and adult size thumbs and can be positioned along the thumb line to locate the desired flat pick position. The picking stroke is very balanced and secure. It acts like a thumb pick in basic function. Therefore, the player can control the pick tension in much the same way as you would a flat pick. The “Super Hybrid” model is a great strumming pick due to the adjustable tension and can be easily used as a thumb pick or flat pick. Note that the Super Hybrid thumb wrap angles back toward the knuckle and pulls the Neoprene material much tighter around the thumb tip.
10) What is this Un-Thumb-Pick all about?The Un-Thumb-Pick (UTP) is the most unusual of the four Crossover Pick models. However, it is also the most versatile. The UTP is primarily designed to hold the flat pick in reserve while the player uses the classical mode of play (bare hand). This includes the use of the bare thumb or thumb nail. When the flat pick is desired, the player engages the pick with the first finger. See the photos below for a closer look.There is a secret thumb pick mode that is not too well publicized until now. The photos below show how the Un-Thumb-Pick is configured as a very cool Crossover Pick (flexible thumb pick).