In Reverent Remembrance of Jim Dunlop

Peerless Pioneer of Picks & Pedals Passes On
On February 6, 2019, the music industry lost a true pioneer — the legendary Jim Dunlop: a man whose name will forever be synonymous with groundbreaking guitar gear such as the timeless Tortex guitar pick, the classic Cry Baby wah, and a plethora of other picks, pedals, and products.
Scottish-born Jim’s success story is a true rags-to-riches one — and like all trailblazing journeys, it was fueled by passion and drive. After immigrating to Canada, Jim moved to San Francisco in the 1960s by borrowing $1,000 from a credit union just long enough to prove to the American consulate that he had $1,600 in his bank account so he could cross the border!
Once in California, he started making stuff for guitarists in his spare time to help support his family. Initially, he lost money but kept going. After successfully designing and patenting (smart move!) a capo for 12-string guitar, Jim’s financial tide started to turn the right way. Then, following a suggestion from a customer to make a pick, a tidal wave started to slowly but surely form!
By listening to guitarists, the Scot started offering his patented pick shape in six gauges of nylon instead of the then-standard offering of light, medium, or heavy. More shapes and thickness offerings followed, including his Jazz pick line that, like Dunlop’s nylon picks, is still popular to this very day.
Not content to rest on his laurels, though, Jim continued to strive forward. And as a result of his passion and drive, a pivotal moment in guitar pick history came to pass: Tortex — a material named by Jim himself.
How did Tortex come to be? Via Jim’s quest to create a suitable substitute for what most considered to be the Holy Grail of plectrum material that was no longer available — real tortoiseshell. The result was Tortex — a name now forever synonymous with picks. And the rest, as the saying goes, is history…
Lots more innovation followed: guitar slides, the still-growing Cry Baby family of wahs, Hendrix pedals (Fuzz Face, Uni-Vibe, Octavio), MXR, Way Huge, plus, of course, more pick shapes and styles. As a result, Dunlop Manufacturing — a once small, family-owned company founded in Benicia, California, in 1965 – is now one of the biggest and most respected MI brands on this planet. And, even cooler, it’s still a family-run affair.

I had the honour (Brit spelling) of being asked to speak at Dunlop’s 50th anniversary party at NAMM by Jim’s son, Jimmy, and I’m going to pay homage to my friend’s dear father by revisiting part of said speech.
In my humble opinion, Jim Dunlop is one of rock guitar’s founding fathers — alongside Les Paul, Leo Fender, Seth Lover, and Jim Marshall. I say this because the innovative products he made were the creative tools used by the players who pioneered what we now know and love as rock. In many ways, Jim Dunlop reminds me of his good friend, the late, great Jim Marshall. Here’s why:

Both were named Jim…duh!
Both were unashamedly British.
Both were smart enough to listen carefully to what guitarists wished for and then strove tirelessly to not only meet said expectations but exceed them…and furthermore, they both succeeded. And CONTINUED to listen carefully to their customers — what a concept!
Without the products these two Jims created, who knows what hard rock would sound like today — or if it would even exist at all.
Both share a delightfully wry sense of humour and quick wit.
Both genuinely value the people they work with and their customers…a sadly increasingly rare trait.
Both were diminutive in stature but their achievements were, are, and always will be gigantic.

I was fortunate enough to get to know Jim Dunlop and am so saddened that the above list was revisited today using the past tense. I’m sure that both Brits are enjoying a whiskey (Scottish, of course!) in God’s Tavern (© Zakk Wylde) as I type this.
The entire Sweetwater family’s thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with Jim’s family, loved ones, friends, and colleagues today.
Jim — thanks for all the wonderful musical memories your products helped make possible, and for the many belly laughs your infectious wit caused.
Rest in peace, my friend, rest in peace.
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