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Page 14 The Antique Shoppe June, 2018
Celebrity Guitar Picks

MAKE COLLECTORS “PICK” GROUPIES

By Larry LeMasters

LeMasters’ Antique News Service
A plectrum, commonly known as a pick, is a small flat tool used to pluck It has been said “the ultimate goal of all research is truth.” Bouchard believes
or strum a guitar. Typically, a pick is a thin piece of plastic (sometimes metal, that “knowing what the retail price of a guitar pick is, before you bid on it, is
celluloid, or turtle shell) that is shaped like a pointed teardrop or equilateral a useful tool when it comes time to place a bid.” Keep in mind, though, that
triangle. price guides and past auctions are only benchmarks that help determine a pick’s
Guitarists use plastic plectra because steel strings tend to wear down or possible worth.
splinter fingernails quickly. The use of plectra also provides a more focused Checking the seller’s feedback is another form of research. Has the seller
and aggressive sound, allowing for more vibrant and pure notes. received any negative feedback? If so, you may want to show caution before
Famous guitarists, like Eric Clapton, have guitar picks made especially for entering into a purchase with a questionable seller.
them. These specially made picks have the guitarist’s signature, name, or logo And never, ever, for any reason, get
embedded into the pick. And these signature picks are highly collectible. into a bidding war. Whether you bid
Famous musicians often purchase bags of picks, 1,000 picks, before starting early or late in an auction, never
a concert tour. These picks are used and then left on stage or simply handed out exceed what you have already
to dedicated fans. For some artists, the first bag of picks is the only bag they ever established as your “highest bid.” If
buy, making their picks exceedingly rare. someone else wants to bid more, let
Collectors often pick up picks that have been discarded on them have it. The only people who
stage. benefit in a buyer war are the sellers
Alex Golota, world renown for his guitar pick ② and the auction house. As Bouchard

collection, has over 700 picks from some of music’s ① wisely states, “With some exceptions,

greatest guitarists. Golota worked as a light technician you will usually see the same exact style
for years, so he had easy access to stages. In 1986, he of guitar pick on auction again soon.”
simply picked up a Pat Travers pick off of the stage, If you scrounge flea markets and
and he has been collecting picks ever since. garage sales, you will find some
Many collectors buy picks from eBay ④ guitar picks worth collecting. Estate
or other electronic auction sites. sales can be gold mines if you select
If you are going to build your sales where guitars and other string
collection of picks by buying ③ instruments are for sale. I’ve seen
them off eBay, bring a thick highly collectible guitar picks piled
checkbook. Not too long ago, up in ashtrays at estate sales, selling
a Johnny Cash guitar pick was for $1 each because no one knew their
offered on eBay for $1,000. A value.
pick owned by Jimi Hendrix ⑥ One sure way to get more guitar picks
may be the “Holy Grail” of for your collection at a lower price is
guitar picks. A Hendrix pick is ⑤ to become members on as many web
rare, highly desired, and might cost sites as you can. Open a Facebook
a true arm and leg to own. account and “friend” everyone.
Brian Bouchard, Guitar Picks Then start writing blogs for your
of Rock & Roll, warns “Beware of Facebook account, mentioning your
Crooks!” According to Bouchard, it is easy love for and desire to have more
for online sellers to cheat buyers. Crooks authentic rock n roll guitar picks. Soon
and low-life sellers use online you will be known on Facebook as the
auctions to offer fakes “Guitar Pick King,” and the offers will
or to cheat bidders by ⑦ come rolling in.
offering purposely- ⑧ Finally, if you have ever said you would
misleading never be a rock n roll groupie, be warned.
descriptions. Collecting guitar plectra turns any collector into
“There are also a pick groupie!
those sellers who SHOWN:
label practically ⑨ ① From the 2011 Country Throwdown, this Willie
every one of their Nelson pick is valued at $350.
picks RARE. The ② This Ricky Nelson Stone Canyon Band guitar pick
percentage of guitar was used by the band in a 1970s tour and is valued
picks that are truly rare is at $1,600.
③ A Gene Simmons, his signature is on reverse side, pick, from

very small.” Worst of all, the L.A. Forum in 1977, that is valued at $1,500.
Bouchard noted, “sellers bid up ④ George Harrison, signed on back, guitar pick, used during
their own auctions to drive up bids. his solo years; $1,000.
This is called shilling and it is against most ⑤ Prince used this pick at the Glam Slam Club in L.A. in the 1990s,
auction policies.” and it is valued at $1,000.
Since authentic guitar picks from famous ⑥ Black Sabbath guitar pick from 1970s that is valued at $600.
artists cost $1,000 or more, when buying guitar ⑦This Eddie Van Halen guitar pick from his 1978 tour is valued at $2,250.
picks on eBay, Bouchard suggests would-be ⑧ From his 1992 World Tour, this Bob Dylan guitar pick is valued at $800
buyers research before you bid, check the seller’s
feedback, and don’t go to war. ⑨A Mr. Potato Head guitar pick used by Mike McCready, Pearl Jam, is valued at $750.