Here’s a review I’m really excited to write. About a year and a half ago, D’Addario sent me a pack containing tons of picks, including some of their Duralin, Acrilux, some of Keith Urban’s signature picks, and, of course, two casein picks, which are the ones I’ll be reviewing today.
Table of Contents
The Picks I’m Reviewing Today
- 351 Standard: A 2mm thick, standard shaped pick, with a right hand bevel.
- Chris Thile Signature: A large triangular pick (346), 1.4mm thick, with three right hand beveled tips.
Another Casein Pick by D’Addario
In addition to the ones I’ll be reviewing today, D’Addario recently released a thicker version of their triangle pick, which is 2mm thick.
What’s Casein?
Casein (or Galalith, to be exact) is also known as “milk stone” or “casein plastic”. It’s a plastic-like material that was popular in the early 1900s. It was used as a substitute for materials like ivory and tortoiseshell and is derived from casein, a protein found in milk.
In the context of guitar picks, Galalith is usually referred to as Casein, although it’s not the accurate name for the material.
Main Properties of Casein (Galalith) Picks
Galalith picks glide very easily across the strings thanks to their self-lubricating qualities. They feel almost oily to the touch, and many compare them to Tortoiseshell picks in tone and feel.
They are warm and full and, above all else, super fun to play with. Many pick makers are speed beveling them to take advantage of Galalith’s gliding properties, and I’m happy that D’Addario did so, too.
D’Addario Casein Picks
351 Standard
This is my favorite of the two. It’s 2mm thick, which makes it a pretty stiff pick.
This is one of my absolute favorite picks and one of the fastest ones, too. Even though the classic 351 shape is not known for its speed, Galalith is very oily, and the speed bevels make it glide even faster.
Chris Thile Signature
This is a 1.4mm, 346-shaped pick that is also speed beveled. As someone who is not used to such large picks, it required some getting used to. Once I got the hang of it, it became very easy to control, even though I’d still preferred it to be smaller.
Some players said that it tends to bend. I hadn’t noticed it myself until I had it for about a year, but some said it happened after only a few hours of play. This is most likely because it’s too big for its gauge. If you like this shape, I’d suggest you take the newer 2mm one over this.
My Honest Opinion
The Classic 351 is an outstanding pick, but I’m a bit disappointed at Chris Thile’s signature pick. If you’re into regular-sized picks, go for the Classic, and if you’re into bigger ones, I’d suggest you go for their 2mm 346.
Where to Get Them From?
You can get these picks from most guitar stores and websites. If you can, support a small shop and buy them there. If you still prefer buying online, you can do that from D’Addario’s website or Amazon.
Finishing Thoughts
The 2mm Standard is really good, and I’m very happy with it. I play it at least once a week and it’s still in good shape. The Chris Thile one, on the other hand, is not a pick I feel comfortable recommending. That being said (and It’s purely a matter of luck), it was bent in a rather ergonomic way, so I haven’t totally dismissed it yet.
Disclaimer
The picks in this review were sent to me by D’Addario. I wasn’t paid to review them, but I didn’t pay for them either. This, however, didn’t change the way I reviewed them.
D'Addario Casein Picks Review
The sound and playability is along the line of what you should expect from a Casin (Galalith) pick, and the bevel is shaped very nicely. They don;t grip very well, but that's expected from the material, and the logo prind helps a bit. I'm torn about the durability because a bent pick probably counts as a pick that "gone bad" even thpough all of the tips are still in good shape. The price is a bit steep for what you get, and I feel that there are better priced alternatives, that may lack some of the high-end feel of the bevel, but are more cost effective over-all.
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Sound
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Grip
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Durability
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Price