Episode 21: The Firefly Pick

  Years ago I worked for a small music store. I taught
lessons, worked the sales floor, did minor repair, helped with
piano moving and deliveries, and eventually built up the small
guitar department. It was a fun job and I really enjoyed being a
part of so many aspects of the music industry, may favorite part of
the job was going to NAMM. We were a samll store so going to NAMM
every year did not make sense for us, but we still went a few
times, including a trip to the Anaheim show. What I loved about
NAMM was seeing new gear before the general public. You always had
the old standard guys, like Boss and Fender or Gibson debuting
something new, but what I really looked for were the small start
start-ups. The companies who did not have all the years of brand
recognition behind them. Now don't get me wrong, the Fender booth
was my first stop every year, but there is something exciting about
discovering a product that could be the next big thing. Over the
years I accumulated new sets of guitar strings, picks, Aluminum
drum sticks(those things are BEASTS), and a cool light sensitive
volume control that plugs directly into your guitar. Some of these
products went on to make their mark,while others were not so
fortunate. It was fun to see the inventive, entrepreneurial spirit
alive and well at the NAMM show. My last NAMM Show was 12 years
ago, but have no fear I have found a new place where the creative
and inventive entrepreneurial spirit are turned lose everyday, and
that place is Kickstarter. I have spoken and written about
Kickstarter many times before, but it was not until I sat down to
interview Peter Holm, one of the co-creators of the Firefly pick,
that I realized what it was that drew me to Kickstarter over and
over. It was being able to see a new product before it was released
to the general public. The Firefly pick is one of those products
that I would have seen at NAMM, tried out, and then immediately
ordered for the store while seeing if they had any available for
purchase at the show so I could take one home. I have played a lot
of picks, and have enjoyed them for different reasons, but never
have I seen any that marry design, technology, functionality, and
showmanship in one product, until now. The technology used to
design and produce this pick is a miracle of modern electronics,
the circuit and components are so tiny I cant even imagine trying
to solder them together as Peter described in the interview. Take
away the virtual impossibility of this design, and what do you
have? A pick that set's you apart from the other players out there.
A pick that could allow you and your band to take your light show
to a whole new level! The light up aspect of this pick is super
cool, but that's only one aspect. Since it is motion activated, I
am imagining some young band getting several of these an writing a
song or two based on specific light and color. It brings a whole
new visual aspect to guitar playing. So if you are looking for
something new, and you want to be on the cutting edge, I encourage
you to check out the Firefly pick on Kickstarter. And while you are
there, see what else catches your eye. You might just find yourself
backing the next big thing in guitar.