Gem Picks: Made In The USA
Guitar Connoisseur|Guitar Connoisseur Kevin Eubanks Spring 2019

Gem Picks Was Founded In 2016 In Providence, Rhode Island By Guitarist And Bassist Nick Pagano As A Manufacturer Of Gem-shaped Guitar Picks. After Completing A Lengthy Run Of Live Performances The Year Prior, Pagano Began Looking For A Diamond-shaped Guitar Pick With The Hope To Use Something Novel-looking And Different From The Ordinarylooking Plectrums Commonly Found Throughout The Industry. After An Extensive Search, Which Led To The Discovery That No Such Pick Existed, Pagano Immediately Began Designing And Manufacturing The First-ever Diamond-shaped Guitar Pick. Once Obtaining All Necessary Intellectual Property Rights, Gem Picks Was Officially Launched To The Public In January 2017. Using Social Media, Primarily Instagram, As Their Main Promotional Platform, Gem Picks Continues To Grow And Reach Players All Throughout The World. Since Its Launch, Gem Picks Have Made Their Way To Customers In Every Country (That Can Receive Mail) As Well As All 50 U.s. States. With Four Distinct Gem-themed Models, Gem Picks Heads Into The Future With Plans To Develop More Products Containing One Simple Goal: To Help You, The Player, “express Yourself In Richer Ways’.

Mark Grant
Gem Picks: Made In The USA

Guitar Connoisseur: Hi Nick! Can you tell us some background about Gem Picks & how it came to be?

Nick Pagano: Since I can remember, I’ve had a burning entrepreneurial desire to create something fresh and unique. Something that serves a practical function and ultimately leads to a more enjoyable experience that was once had before. I’ve been playing since age 12 and as a guitar geek (to say the very least!), the ideal situation has always been to create something for the gear world that makes people want to play more.

During the Summer of 2015, the band I was in performed over 50 gigs throughout the course of a few months. That’s a lot of opportunities to get bored with one’s gear! So, I began exploring. One of the things I began experimenting with was guitar picks – I probably collected and used almost everything the industry has to offer! The one thing I noticed was a lack of fun and style. Coming from an artistic background, I yearned for more novelty. So, I immediately began creating the guitar pick I always wanted to see and haven’t come up for air since.

GC: With all the different picks already available on the market what made you decide to throw your hat in the ring and compete with these industry standards?

NP: It’s my belief that if you have a new idea that can bring happiness to many people, be the one responsible to make it a reality. We believe that great tools for self-expression should be an extension of who you are. “Express yourself in richer ways” is our motto. The same mindset players use when selecting certain color options and body shapes for their guitars to express who they are applying to our picks.

This story is from the Guitar Connoisseur Kevin Eubanks Spring 2019 edition of Guitar Connoisseur.

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This story is from the Guitar Connoisseur Kevin Eubanks Spring 2019 edition of Guitar Connoisseur.

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