L-R: Unused Wheatware Pick, Used Wheatware Pick (2 weeks), Used Fender Pick (10 yrs) — Note how dramatically the shape of the used Wheatware pick has changed in just 2 weeks of use.
I saw these cool biodegradable guitar picks made from wheat, so I just had to try them out! I got a bag of their wedged medium picks 2 weeks ago, and they even threw in a variety pack bag for me to try the other gauges they make.
The Wheatware picks initially seemed pretty durable and withstood bending better than my trusty plastic Fender picks. They are softer and have a really cool texture which is less slippery than the standard Fender picks. The softness really becomes apparent when you pluck the strings with them–not quite as harsh on the attack, which I really like.
But, as you can see from the picture, they don’t last very long. It makes sense, I mean biodegradable products are meant to break down. Constantly scraping them against wound steel strings (aka sandpaper) only helps this process along. The Fender pick in the picture I’ve had for around 10 years. The middle Wheatware pick shows just 2 weeks of wear (the one on the left is unused–for comparison purposes). For purposes of full disclosure, I play almost every day; Your mileage may vary.
I’ll use up the remaining Wheatware picks I have. I really like how they feel between my fingers, and how they sound on the strings. They have made me want to find a longer-lasting replacement for the old standard Fender picks I’ve used forever. I know there’s a ton of options out there, I’ve just never bothered experimenting…until now.
Wheatware have many other products which sound promising. Apparently musicians at the LiveEarth concerts got free picks and drumsticks from the company. Wheatware is definitely onto something, but I don’t think the guitar picks have arrived just yet. Maybe I’ll try out a pair of the drumsticks on Guitar Hero!
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Thanks for posting your great review! The wheat picks may be best suited for touring artists who go through a lot of picks per show / tour. If they can do custom imprints, they’d be a good option for major artists who toss them into the audience–many tossed picks hit the floor and are swept into the trash post-show and end up in the landfill (and may pose a choking hazard for birds and foraging animals such as raccoons).
That’s a great point! I also, incidentally, am still using mine. I don’t use picks nearly as much anymore, but find that the heavy gauge ones last longer and nothing beats the feel of these things.
Biodegradable plastic and packaging is a modern necessity for our ever-endangered environment.
Now PLA has been used to line the indoors of Paper Cups in place of the oil based lining additional usually used, create Plastic Cups, Plates, Carrier Bags, Food Packaging and even Nappies.
Eco Pure is our proprietary blend of organic materials that does not modify the base resin to which it is added.
Thanks a lot for your information