The Origin of PICKBOY as Told by the Overseas Book 'Picks!'
PICKBOY Featured in the Overseas Book 'Picks!'
'Picks! – The Colorful Saga of Vintage Celluloid Guitar Plectrums' by Will Hoover is a book that introduces the history of guitar picks with photographs. It also touches on the journey of PICKBOY.
In this article, using the early episodes featured in the book as clues, we introduce how PICKBOY expanded its pick-making. Please distinguish between 1961 as the year of the idea leading to the founding, and 1967 as the year PICKBOY began making guitar picks.
The Potential of Picks Found in Tortoiseshell Scrap Material
The founder, Akihiro Nakano, originally dealt in men's accessories. According to the founding story passed down at PICKBOY, a turning point came in 1961 when he visited a factory producing tortoiseshell shoehorns and noticed small triangular pieces made from leftover materials.
Those small pieces were made as "finger nails" used for playing string instruments. Nakano saw the potential for these to be used as picks that musicians could hold in their hands. It is also said that he initially purchased enough material to make about 20,000 picks.
The idea of transforming leftover materials into small tools useful for playing music without waste. This led to the later creation of PICKBOY picks.
From celluloid to selectable picks
PICKBOY began producing guitar picks made from genuine tortoiseshell in 1967. Since then, adapting to changes in material handling and supply, they expanded to celluloid picks, increasing options in shape and thickness.
Traditional introductions of PICKBOY report that by the early 1970s, production exceeded 700,000 picks per month, and they established a base in Frankfurt, Germany. Delivering picks not only domestically but also overseas is part of the brand's history.
The approach of delivering picks not as "accessories" but as tools chosen for their material, shape, thickness, and design continues in their current products. The overall history of the brand is also introduced in About PICKBOY.
Connecting history to the pick you play now
From the photos left in the book, you can see the history of how even small tools like picks have been approached with careful material selection and design. PICKBOY continues to offer picks in various materials, shapes, and thicknesses.
For those who want to try classic materials, please take a look at the celluloid lineup. You can find your next pick according to your preference for sound and playing feel.
Featured book
Will Hoover, Picks! – The Colorful Saga of Vintage Celluloid Guitar Plectrums, Miller Freeman Books, 1995. View book information
