Earlier this week, world-renowned mandolin player and ArtistWorks instructor, Mike Marshall announced a brand new collaboration with boutique plectrum manufacturer Apollo Picks out of Delaware, OH. Together, Mike and Apollo Picks’ founder Nik Monnin crafted what Mike describes as his “dream pick”—the Apollo Mike Marshall Signature Pick. The Mike Marshall Signature Pick is now available to order online directly from the Apollo Picks website, shipping to mandolin players worldwide, here.

“I didn’t just make this pick for Mike. I’d have to say that “we” created it,” Monnin explains. “Over the course of about 8 months, I’d send picks over to his home in Wuppertal, Germany. He’d use them for a few weeks then provide feedback on how they were working out.”

Due to the naturally bright tone of most mandolins, Mike wanted his pick to bring a warmth to his sound. Therefore, Mike and Nik decided it best to use a black plastic material called glass-filled polyetherimide for Mike’s signature design.

“We tested different materials, slight variations in size, subtleties to the rounded edge, etc.,” Monnin explains. “I learned a lot from Mike about how much small details matter.”

The Mike Marshall Signature Pick is 1.5mm thick and features the standard Apollo “H” shape (pictured below) and Mike’s initials, “MM,” on the front hand-drawn by calligraphy artist John Stevens.

If you’re interested in ordering a Mike Marshall Signature Pick, they can be purchased directly from the Apollo Picks website here.

If you’re interested in learning how to play the mandolin or improve your skills as a player, check out Mike’s comprehensive online mandolin lessons here at ArtistWorks (scroll down for more information).

ABOUT MIKE MARSHALL:

For more than 35 years, Mike Marshall has set a new standard for American acoustic music, with a breadth of talent that spans mandolin, guitar, violin, and mandocello. At age 19, he left his native Florida to pursue music, eventually joining the David Grisman Quintet in the Bay Area. Since those early days, Mike's historic career has spanned hundreds of recordings and taken him on tour around the globe. He has also received numerous credits as a composer, producer, and featured musician. You can hear his iconic mandolin playing on the theme for NPR's 'Car Talk', as well as the San Francisco-based radio show 'Forum' on KQED Radio. Mike has been a member of our since 2011, and, today, he and his wife Caterina Lichtenberg both teach online mandolin lessons at ArtistWorks.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MIKE’S BLUEGRASS MANDOLIN COURSE:

Have you always wanted to learn how to play bluegrass mandolin? Through our comprehensive mandolin lessons online and Video Exchange Learning platform here at ArtistWorks, you can learn from internationally renowned players, like Mike Marshall, and get personal feedback on your playing.

Mike’s course starts with the basics and teaches everything from beginner mandolin to advanced performance techniques and tunes. So, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, all levels are welcome and all students will grow and improve their skills as mandolinists and musicians!

Try out some free sample music lessons here and see what makes ArtistWorks courses some of the best online music lessons around!

READ MORE:

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Mike Marshall Releases Mandocello J.S. Bach Cello Suite No. 1, BWV 1007