The Metal Files

So back around 2001 I was at Alpha Music in Virginia Beach and saw that they had custom guitar picks.  I thought it would be cool to have some for myself even though I wasn’t in a working band at the time.  I had only been playing bass since 2000 after having been a drummer from 1984 to 2000.  The owner of Alpha gave me the business card for In Tune Guitar Picks.

When I saw the address I thought to myself, Onancock, VA?  Really?”  Onancock is a tiny little town, almost a village, on the eastern shore of Virginia.  I had done several projects in that area while working for the DOT.  I knew I had to make another trip up there (2 hours each way) for work and called a day ahead to ask about his picks and to check out his operation.  He said, “It’s not much but you can come by.”

So I went to the address and and it was to his house.  He had his pick machine in the garage.  I thought it was a pretty cool process and Bert was an incredibly nice dude.  He gave me some samples and a little while later I was on my way to do some actual work.  I placed an order shortly thereafter.

My first picks from him were thin celluloids with a sketch of Phil Lynott on them as he was a huge inspiration on my playing.  I always liked getting picks at shows and not long after getting my own picks I landed in this silly band called The Renegades of Sluts.  Yes, that was our name and no I didn’t pick it.  These were all old friends of mine and we were doing sort of a biker metal thing.  As we were playing shows, it was pretty cool to see people scramble when I threw a pick out or if someone would ask me for one after a show.

Through the following years I upsized and switched to the delrin 1.14mm picks.  Perfect!  I’ve had several different styles made as far as to what is printed on them.  Bert has always given me first rate service.  He has obviously given a lot of people great service as he has expanded his business quite a bit.  He’s got his own shop now and last time I was there (2006) he was running 2 machines and was increasing his staff.  His client list is pretty impressive…Motley Crue, Slayer, Gibson Guitars, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, most of the 80s metal bands, lots of country bands…It’s pretty crazy.

Check ’em out.  You will not be disappointed.  His prices are comparable to buying regular picks from Fender and Dunlop without your custom artwork on them.