RobMacKillop - 1-25-2022 at 12:35 AM
Looking for an alternative to a tortoiseshell mizrap for Turkish tanbur playing. I'm told nothing compares, but there must be something that comes
close? I suppose it's too much to expect there to be ethically-sourced tortoiseshell?
Jody Stecher - 1-25-2022 at 06:12 AM
One way to ethically source tortoise shell for plectra is to use shell from 19th century hair brushes, mirror backs, etc. Not everyone will agree with
me but I don't see how using such a plectrum is going to cause more tortoises to die.
Another way is to use tortoise shell from animals that died a natural death. I have used mandolin picks made from a shell that washed up on the shore
in Ecuador and was hanging on the wall of the beach house of the uncle of a friend of mine in Tennessee.
There are also a variety of synthetics these days, each with its own sound. None are precisely like shell but they are good.
RobMacKillop - 1-25-2022 at 07:31 AM
Cheers, Jody. I'll book my flight to Ecuador right away ;-) Joking aside you make a good point. I certainly wouldn't mind repurposing old shell, if I
could find some.
Brian Prunka - 1-25-2022 at 08:23 AM
Adam Good might have a recommendation.
Since the characteristics desired are high stiffness, durability and smooth edge, I would recommend giving Ultem a try for a plastic that would likely
do a good job getting very close. It's a bit hard to find in the thickness you want, and it'll be a bit expensive.
You'd probably want about .09in size for tanbur, based on the recommended thicknesses for tortoiseshell. Maybe .06 would be ok.
I had some for oud, but it was .03mm I think, not sure if i still have any. Your best bet would be ebay probably.
I'd suggest trying Vespel (what Blue Chip picks are made of) but it's even more expensive and hard to find.
RobMacKillop - 1-26-2022 at 01:33 AM
Thanks, Brian. I'll follow up your suggestions.
Rob
Brian Prunka - 1-26-2022 at 09:10 AM
Hey Rob, you might want to try this as an option. Acetal is a nice material and should be a pretty good substitute.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/282911841025?hash=item41dedc1b01:g:iyIAAOSw...
RobMacKillop - 1-26-2022 at 02:48 PM
Good idea, Brian. I can get it in the UK at 8.8mm thick which could be ideal.
Brian Prunka - 1-26-2022 at 06:27 PM
8.8 mm seems really thick? I thought about 2.5mm was about what it should be.
RobMacKillop - 1-27-2022 at 02:05 AM
Haha, yes, sorry, don't know what I was thinking. Imagine the sound!
ChanningPDX - 12-17-2022 at 09:08 PM
Just noticed this thread not long after I saw an Instagram post from Hüseyin F?rat where he showed off a tanbur mizrap made from catalin.
Catalin's pretty hard stuff--it's often used on bagpipes for imitation ivory mounts. That stuff tends to fade to a dull orangey color over time, but I
suppose if you started out with something that was already amber-colored anyway, it would be fine.
[url]https://www.instagram.com/p/CmR8brLsQRs/[url]