Question Mount Guitar Picks

BatesMotel

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
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Feb 18, 2008
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722
Location
Conshohocken, PA
How would you mount guitar picks? There is one from Bruce Springstein and the other 5 are from the other players in the band. He has a signed photo and the set list from the show he saw and he wants the picks framed up with all of it. They aren't signed or anything but they might have his DNA or finger print on it!
 
I would probably use Melinex strips or wrap.
:cool: Rick

P.S. Sounds like a fun job. What is the design?
 
I usually do a Mylar encapsulation ... here's an example:

IMG_1113.jpg
 
I don't have a CMC so I can't do the cool cuts you have shown Andrew, but I am using the brite core black with red bevel so it will have a similar look. There are a total of 7 picks, one from Bruce that is larger and has a sandpaper coating on it, 3 from the female player and two from the other guy. I am doing 3 openings with each opening holding the players picks. So I don't think the encapsulation will work. How do you use the Melinex "strips" with the shape of the picks?
 
OK, first of all, the "female player" is Patti Scialfa, Bruce's wife. The "other guy" could be Miami Steve Van Zandt, Nils Lofgren, or possibly Gary Tallent. If you don't know the names of these folks, you aren't worthy. Send me the stuff, I'll do it. :D

Here's what I would probably do with the picks. I would use some tulle, or crepeline if you want to get some of that (I bet Jim Miller would send you a few scraps), and wrap that around the picks, then pull it through a small hole in the mat that will be hidden by the pick. I don't much care for the shininess of the mylar, and I think tulle or crepeline will give you more flexibility.
 
If these were actually PLAYED by the artists mentioned, I would use one of the methods mentioned above, or you can "suspend" between 2 pieces of foam. Cut an opening in the matt and then attach black foam strips and recess inside the matt slightly with a groove to hold-one for top of pick and one for bottom with picks displayed vertically.

If the picks are merely "collectible" type a cool way is to glue an acrylic tube or painted dowell to back of pick and then mount so pick is displayed just about 1/16" under glass-Museum glass is ideal. The pick will appear to just be "floating".
 
If I may, I really believe it is a major part of our function as custom framers to keep the machanism of mounting objects INVISIBLE. That really is a challenge sometimes, but to me using mylar, tulle or crepeline is really "cheating".
 
Between my lips or in the deep dark crevices of the couch would be most typical place for me to keep a pick. Hmmm maybe I should re-think that first location considering the second.
 
I'm not so sure that everything we do NEEDS to be conservation framed. I know this has been re-hashed a zillion times on the G, but sometimes it just isn't practical. :bdh:
This is a guitar pick - get creative, make invisible mounts if you want, use a visible mounting method, but not everything needs to be encapsulated in mylar. :)
If the guitar picks are pretty standard plastic ones, which I would imagine they are, then if you really just wanted to stick them down to a piece of matboard - why not just use a dab of Elmer's or some silicone? Either of those would come off of a plastic guitar pick with minimal effort and no damage.

If the guitar strings seem like a good idea - put a dab of silicone on the back of the pick and the guitar string that runs behind the pick to help hold it in place.

Whatever you do - Never use superglue for anything! I worked for someone who used to glue hockey pucks to mats with superglue - I told her there had to be a better way, but she told me I had no idea what I was talking about and she had been framing for 20 years already! :nuts: It was fine, right up until one of the other employees told her to glue down the WRONG side of a hockey puck. When the customer came in to pick up the piece, he went ballistic when he found out that the puck was not only super-glued down with the wrong side showing, but also that the puck was irreparably damaged! :fire: Apparently it was worth some real money! Our shop ended up having to buy the guy another three pucks to replace the damaged one since the there wasn't actually a replacement puck to be found. DON'T SUPERGLUE!
 
The picks were used and has the players name in gold foil on it.

I bought James Millers book on mounting with clear film. I wound up using Pat's new non glare mylar like Jim say's in his book. The book is great and I see myself refering to it again in the future. Pat's non glare mylar is great, you can't even see there is anything on top of it!
 
FramerDave said:
Would you compromise preservation to achieve invisibility?

Again, this is only just my own personal preference, but I always try hide the mounting machanism. The only exception would be an item of extreme value, which perhaps should not be framed at all and exposed to the elements, but rather stored someplace safe...

Also, in contemplating these concepts I believe customers choose to frame something for the following reasons (in order of importance):-
1. Display
2. Enjoy & Share
3. Preserve
Framers however may have it opposite ie.
1. Preserve etc...
 
FramerDave said:
...I believe customers choose to frame something for the following reasons (in order of importance):-
1. Display
2. Enjoy & Share
3. Preserve
Framers however may have it opposite ie.
1. Preserve etc...

I recommend finding out why THIS PARTICULAR CLIENT is framing the item prior to recommending a mounting method!
 
The picks were used and has the players name in gold foil on it.

I bought James Millers book on mounting with clear film. I wound up using Pat's new non glare mylar like Jim say's in his book. The book is great and I see myself refering to it again in the future. Pat's non glare mylar is great, you can't even see there is anything on top of it!
 
Too bad, Larry. I was going to suggest a piece of chewing gum. :faintthud:
 
Would have been cool soon after to see how it turned out after being given advice here. Hate it when these old threads get bumped and think - Hey - so-and-so guy - not seen a post from him for AGES ....... Oh!
 
Would have been cool soon after to see how it turned out after being given advice here. Hate it when these old threads get bumped and think - Hey - so-and-so guy - not seen a post from him for AGES ....... Oh!
The problem with wasting your hatred on re-posted threads is that it steals hatred molecules you could be seething toward your least favorite food.
 
Anti-bruss molecules.
 
Here's an idea. When I see a live concert, the guitar player has several of them attached to the microphone boom stand. How about adding a piece of chrome pipe, lay it at an angle and attach the picks to the chrome pipe. You could even take a small piece of velcro and attach them to the pipe. The pipe could be mounted with thin mylar strips on each end. Just a thought ...
 
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