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Reddit mentions of D'Addario EXP74 Coated Phosphor Bronze Mandolin Strings, Medium, 11-40
Sentiment score: 1
Reddit mentions: 1
We found 1 Reddit mentions of D'Addario EXP74 Coated Phosphor Bronze Mandolin Strings, Medium, 11-40. Here are the top ones.
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Coated version of D'Addario's best selling mandolin setLoopend construction for universal fitPhosphor Bronze for long lasting, warm and bright toneMade in the U.S.A. for the highest quality and performanceString Gauges: Plain Steel .011/.011, 015/.015, Phosphor Bronze Wound .026/.026, .040/.040
Specs:
| Height | 4.75 Inches |
| Length | 4.75 Inches |
| Number of items | 1 |
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 0.01 Pounds |
| Width | 0.324 Inches |
Sounds like you want an F-style with oval hole?
themandolinstore.com was selling an Eastman MD614, F style with oval hole and installed pickup, for about $1400. They currently have an MD514 listed as available at around $1000, no mention of a pickup; if you need to plug in, you might ask them about installation.
Also check the ads at mandolincafe.com. They frequently list vintage Gibson A-styles for $800-$1500, depending on work needed (I know you don't like A-styles, but old Gibson A's from the teens like this pumpkin top are just killer).
And last, a plug for an awesome manufacturer from my home state: Big Muddy mandolins are some of the most underpriced instruments available. They are A-style, so deal. The flat top construction and oval hole gives awesome tone, projection, and sustain. These are not bluegrass machines, but work fantastically well on old fiddle tunes.
Okay, picks and strings. First question: what kind of vintage do you want your sound to be? For some Tin Pan Alley stuff or old pre-modal jazz, you might go with a pretty light pick and lighter strings. Jethro Burns used thin Fender guitar picks and light gauge strings...listen to the speed of his triplets and perfect slides, and you might start loving the lighter strings as well. This is exactly the opposite direction that most folks go nowadays, with thicker picks and strings. So...
Picks: Blue Chip are awesome, and awesomely expensive ($35 each pick). Lots of folks like the CT55 (Chris Thile and Sean Watkins both use these in Nickel Creek). I love my TAD1-R 60; two points like the CT55, and one rounded off, great for guitar and mandolin both. Wegen picks are a less-expensive-but-still-expensive alternative; the TF140's are a thick triangle, and the Big Dippers are great for having three different points and coming in different thicknesses (djangobooks usually has some). And if all of these sound too expensive, Dunlop has some Primetone picks that are fantastic for the price (triangles and rounded).
Strings: I've been playing D'Addario Exp74 (coated) strings for a while now. You might want to try the uncoated J74's if you want something brighter. Also, warning! Check and make sure you can put a given gauge of string on your mandolin without damaging it. 74's should be okay with most arch tops in your price range, but not recommended for flat tops.