What Is PickNET?
PickNET is a worldwide network of guitar pick collectors who have come together to trade picks, exchange
info on new pick designs, and info on dishonest people who bring a bad name to this hobby.
PickNET is a non-commercial forum because I don't believe in the selling of picks unless you are an artist or
company selling merchandise for which you hold legal trademarks or copyrights on any imprinted logos or images. If you
are only looking for places to purchase picks, please visit the "Links" section of this website to locate reputable
pick dealers. If you are only looking to sell picks and have no interest in trading, you also have come to the wrong
place. There are popular forums for such activity. PickNET is not one of them. I will be happy to create
a link to your website (after a review of its content) if you email me here and ask nicely.
What Does PickNET Cost?
Nothing! That's right...Zero! PickNET is a completely
FREE private club. There are NO dues, fees or charges of any kind
to become or remain a member. All you need is an enthusiasm for pick collecting and access to email. As I've mentioned
previously though, it does help to actually have a collection of picks already or you will not find much to do
here.
(For info on how to get picks and start your own collection, see the tips below.)
How Does PickNET Work?
PickNET has a 'members-only' message board on Yahoo!Groups. Active members simply post messages at their convenience
to make trade offerings, discuss all things pick-related (what are the newest picks from a specific band, does this
or that band use custom picks, is anyone else going to the following concert, etc) or ask questions of the other
members . There is no minimum participation, nor is there any kind of schedule. It is also entirely up to each member
to decide how they want to receive member messages from Yahoo!Groups...you can get sent each individual message as they
are posted, a collection of messages in a single email block ("daily digest") or receive no emails at all and simply
read the messages at your leisure directly on the Yahoo!Groups/PickNET message website. You also decide whether your
message is to be sent to one specific member or to the entire group. It's totally up to you who and how often you email.
NOTE: PickNET is a private forum on Yahoo!Groups. You must first set up a free account with them to be able to access
the member website, messages and features. PickNET a private group, available only to approved members.
How Do I Become A PickNET Member?
The first thing you need to do is understand the basic rules and guidelines we have created for the group. PickNET is a
lot of fun, but we have found the need to establish a small group of common-sense rules to keep everyone on the same page.
The basic concepts here are "play nice and be respectful of others", "be honest about everything when trading", "do not
make, sell or trade unauthorized picks" and "do not use PickNET as a forum to directly buy or sell picks". (It is
okay to post a message saying you have picks for sale or that you wish to buy picks from sellers, however no specific
"item/price lists" are allowed on the message boards. There are no exceptions!)
If you'd like to review the specific details about trading within the group and the trader rating system we have established
to monitor all of the PickNET members who trade picks, please click on the following links below:
If you wish to participate and think you can peacefully function within the group's guidelines, you can
become a member of our group after you take the PickNET Membership Oath and submit some basic information about who
you are via email. Click the link below to submit your membership request now so you can get in on the fun and enjoy
the original and still BEST Network of Pick Collectors in the World...PickNET!
How Can I Get Some Picks To Start A Collection?
There are many ways to get picks and even a few ways to get them for free or very little cost. The best
way to get free picks is to catch them at concerts when the bands and artists throw them out to the crowd. If you
aren't close enough to the stage for this to be a possibility, you can write to many of the artists through their
record labels, management or fan clubs and many of them will send you a pick. Just be sure to enclose a self-addressed
stamped envelope to improve your chances of getting a response. Try writing to your favorite band/artist and you might
be surprised at how easy it can be! (TIP: You can find many addresses on band websites, in the liner notes of their CD's
or in concert programs.)
Many bands also sell their picks on official websites or through their fan clubs. There are also the music memorabilia
dealers who almost always sell picks. They can be found online, in the classified ads of "Goldmine" Magazine, or at record
conventions. Check out the "PickNET Links" section of this website for direct links to recommended and trustworthy pick
dealers, as well as for links to many bands and artists who currently sell their official picks online, many for a much
lower price than you may imagine!
You can also obtain picks at online auction websites (like the one I hate the most, eBay). Be warned that many picks for
sale on these websites can be very expensive depending on the perceived "rarity" or "value" of a specific pick or artist.
A cautionary word about authenticity...there are dishonest people out there looking to scam others out of their money by
selling counterfeit or unlicensed/unofficial picks, misrepresenting the history and/or origin of picks, among other things.
One of the biggest assets of PickNET is the collective experience among its membership. Ask questions, check out the list
we maintain of known pick scammers, and feel a whole lot better about giving your hard-earned money to an online stranger
promising that "Jimi Hendrix himself generated the wear marks on this rare pick while performing onstage at Woodstock".
And just in case you're wondering why I truly hate eBay, I can say that since it raised its ugly little head it has had a negative impact on pick collecting in general. Artists and Techs are less likely to give out picks as freely as they once did because they suspect whatever they hand out will be listed for sale within hours on some auction site. While some may argue that auction sites have expanded their collections, I counter by suggesting that the same goal could have been achieved by simply trading with other collectors. For me pick collecting began and continues to be a celebration of the music I love and the creative, talented artists who inspire me by writing and performing it. To be able to hold such a small token in my hand that provides a personal connection to a musical hero remains purely magical to me; to place a monetary value on such treasures only destroys the fun aspect of this as a hobby. Music is supposed to be fun. Call me misguided or just plain crazy but in my little world, pick collecting will always be a fun thing and not an investment or monetary venture. To the business-oriented pick collector I offer the following words of wisdom... "I can see your point but I still think you're full of sh!t." Collect picks for fun, not profit. You might actually enjoy it! Just my two cents...
