(Part 2) Best folk & world instrument accessories according to redditors

I first tried Aquila New Nylgut AQ-15 Tenor Ukulele Strings - Wound Low G but I didn't like the tone of the wounded low G. After that i got a set of D'Addario EJ99TLG Pro-Arté Carbon which I'm currently using and prefer. I have yet to try the Aquila red's that everyone is recommending. Reds supposedly the best of the best but have a short life. For now I have have no plans to switch the D'addario set, it's just fine for my needs. I'm a causal player so take it with a grain of salt. Reds look fire tho.

I'm not overly familiar with deering bags, head good things about their banjos though. I went with a Crossrock bag when I bought my banjo, and have been happy with it.

https://www.amazon.com/Crossrock-CRSG106BJBG-Padded-Resonator-Backpack/dp/B0779Z4T76/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=crossrock+banjo&qid=1568127748&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-4

I don't use a resonator, so it is a little big in places, but it has good storage an solid straps. Less that $30 too. They also make hard cases, but those get expensive.

I've been looking at these for a while, but the price keeps me away. Ended up getting a nice Ibanez gig bag that looks like an old Jansport backpack.

Super nice for around $40.

This one here

you would just replace the current G with one that's lower. Here's an example

https://www.amazon.com/Worth-Premium-Package-Ukulele-String/dp/B019F9TS9K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479668542&sr=8-1&keywords=worth+clear+ukulele+strings

Don't be put off by all there rack snobs.

I have panniers I use on my winter bike, and my town bike. They're great!

But in the summer I like to move fast so I'm on a carbon road bike with no rack.

So I have one of these:

https://www.modernbike.com/axiom-flip-flop-lx-seatpost-rear-rack

I put a bag designed to sit on top of the rack on, and just use the quick release to take the whole thing into the office with me. Can't find the bag I use, but it's somethign like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Banjo-Brothers-Rack-Top-Bag/dp/B00P0084XU

I have room for rolled up dress pants, belt, a neatly folded shirt, socks, underwear, shampoo, small towel, repair kit, spare tube, pump, rain gear, arm warmers/knee warmers and my lunch.

I keep my shoes at work.

As a bonus, it acts as a rear fender so when it rains I get wet feet from the front wheel spray on hitting the down tube, but the rest of me only gets as wet as the stuff falling from the sky makes me.

I've been using a rack like this for years. I used to use this one:

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5016-417/Rear-Seat-Post-Rack-PR-3

But I had three break off at the weld at the clamp end. The one I linked above uses a bolt to connect the rack to the clamp and it's been bomber. I bunny hop down 8'' drops with a loaded bag and it's no problem.

The only thing I had to do was swap the carbon seat post for a steel one, the carbon frame is doing great even with all the abuse I hurl at it.

And it's about 1000 times better than having a bag on my back, personally I can't stand riding with a pack on.

Go for the rack and don't look back!

I have two of these and they are awesome https://www.amazon.com/Crossrock-CRA400CUTU-Zippered-Hardshell-Lock-Turquoise/dp/B00OHLMFAG?ref_=bl_dp_s_mw_7030763011

Okay, so...

Watching the clip /u/TheJiggersUp posted below, I don't see him playing his mandolin, so I don't have much to offer on style... I would presume he's going to play in a more classical/European style, as opposed to an American, bluegrass-oriented style. He has a bowlback mandolin rather than a flat-back or carved-top style instrument, but I don't know of any playable bowlback models that cost ~$100.

What does exist is the Rogue RM-100A which is a not-great but more-or-less playable mandolin for under $100. (Some individual instruments seem to be better than others, but it's just a luck-of-the-draw thing.) If you were to get one, you'd also do well to get some different strings for it, get a decent pick designed for mandolin (a guitar pick won't work well for this instrument), and maybe consider having it professionally set up (or possibly even trying to do the work yourself... perhaps someone else can point me to the book available on setting up a Rogue to be less awful.) I would also highly recommend getting a chromatic tuner; you spend quite a bit of time tuning this instrument, and as a beginner, it's really helpful to have one of these. If you have a smartphone, a metronome app would also be a good thing to get; otherwise, there are a million cheap, electronic metronomes on the market.

So the Rogue is a cheap, low-quality instrument -- NOT a good instrument, just the least-bad at the sub-$100 price range -- but it can get you started. I know, because that's how I started. It's designed for bluegrass more than traditional mandolin music, but you can learn the rudiments of any/every style on it.

After that, to just start learning how to play, I recommend Don Julin's book. Yes, it's "for Dummies." It's still an excellent beginner's book. He focuses primarily on American styles, but he also covers other mandolin traditions, and when you're first starting out you really just need to learn the basics no matter what style you favor. He also does some nice intro-level youtube lesson videos. There are lots and lots of other mandolin lessons available on youtube, too, and are a decent way to start out if you can't afford private lessons.

Finally, start saving up some money for a better instrument. Sooner than you can imagine, you will reach the point where the Rogue can no longer keep up with you, and begins to hinder your progress, so you need the upgrade to keep learning. The most common recommendations I see are the Eastman 304 or 305 and the Kentucky KM-140. Both are solid student instruments that will serve you well for a long time, and both can be had with professional set-up and a hard case for ~$450. I have an Eastman 305 myself and I adore it. Or perhaps there's a more traditional bowlback model out there that you'd like better, if you aim to play that way. I know very little about those.

It's a great instrument, and fun to learn. And it's entirely possible to come from zero background with stringed instruments and still make good progress. Good luck!

Edit: Oh, also... certainly it would be a good thing to learn (or re-learn) how to read standard musical notation, but a lot of mandolin music is available in tablature (or tab), which is a much easier system to use and doesn't require the ability to read music. The Julin book I linked to above uses both.

Edit 2: Also, here's a recent thread on the Rogue, just so you can see some other people's opinions.

You could tune your uke in DGBE tuning if you need to make using guitar tabs easier. That would give you an exact match on the four highest strings. Of course, you'd still be missing the E2 and A2 strings that a six string guitar would have, so you'll have to get creative playing those notes.

I know that feel!

I'm usually good to go if I'm sitting up straight and wearing a supportive bra. But a ukulele strap is also helpful for me. I use this kind.

I ordered the strings. Hopefully they were the right ones.

The case, I'm still out on. Considering this one

https://www.amazon.ca/Caramel-CBG12C-Padded-Concert-Ukulele/dp/B0163VRAX4/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1484684659&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=concert+ukulele+soft+case

but not sure. Generic and OK reviews.

My favorite is a Protec bag -- it doesn't have as many pockets as the one you showed. I think it'd only have room for a t-shirt, a pair of underwear and a couple of pairs of socks and a little music. But it's sturdy, and it has back-pack straps as well as an extremely handy loop at the top. The guy at the ukulele store must have given me a good deal; it was half the price they are showing on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Tec-CF217-Concert-Ukulele/dp/B016RVDK20

I had a strap button installed on mine, and got a strap similar to this. (Not that one, nor am I endorsing. It was the first image that came up in a quick search.)

I really like it. The problem is that leather tie. Mine broke after a few months. Now, I'm looking for a stronger materiel replacement. The rest of the strap is solid, though.

Some Amazing Budged options for you

soprano ukulele: almost anything, it's easy to find good budget ones, id just stay away from plastic unless you do want it to be really durable

acoustic concert: M Y Fly Young Ukulele Meideal Ukulele Concert Acoustic 23 24 inch MUH-19 Butterfly Wood https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A5I8GJS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_38M.zbTYJ9F8F

Meideal concert Uke: this one is actually my favorite uke, despite the price. it's even more beautiful In person. very pretty too.

tenor ukulele

http://www.caramelukulele.com/caramel-ct203-all-solid-acacia-acoustic-electric-tenor-ukulele-with-truss-rod.html

caramel tenor electric acoustic:

this one, once again despite the price, is my go to stage uke as it's electric acoustic. it sounds 2x the price. amazing.

And from the same brand

baritone ukulele

this: Caramel CB103 30 Inch High Gloss Zebra Wood Baritone Acoustic Electric Ukulele With Truss Rod https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ANJGX8U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_EeN.zbTVPZEEQ

Or this
Caramel CB500 30 Inch All Rosewood Baritone Acoustic Electric Ukulele With Truss Rod https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AU3I8J6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_lfN.zb62S3MN6

depending on what style you like. although the rosewood one might have a slightly deeper sound depending on what strings you put on it

once again, electric acoustic. it's very light, electronics are great, tuners great, and probably some of the only good baritone ukes you'll find for under $100

For reference, here's the Amazon products I'm looking at:

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https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00MXUJGBE/ref=pe_3034960_236394800_TE_dp_2

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00MXUJRA4/ref=pe_3034960_236394800_TE_dp_1

I agree with the other poster - harp picks would be great if you have time to grab the pick before your glissandos. I have these but if you want different ones, you can google "harp picks".

A trick my college professor taught me for blisters was to soak your fingers in warm water and baking soda, if I remember correctly. This dries out your fingers and makes the skin of a popped blister not so raw so you can play on it faster!

Found this on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Balalaika-Case-Russian-Prima-Soft/dp/B01ASNLAE8

As a reccomendation, maybe get one of these https://www.amazon.com/Hoke-Sapele-Wood-Guitar-Stand/dp/B01ALHKVS2

or this
https://www.etsy.com/listing/259968068/wooden-guitar-stand-mahogany?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=guitar%20stand&ref=sc_gallery-1-1&plkey=896130da9e10506c5afb3ec14d6b6cc0be4a671a:259968068

I have the 2nd one and I personally love it, but it might be too expensive so I figured I'd throw the first one out there

Do you think nylgut strings would do the job? I've started looking at these.

> don't do it on a soprano it wouldn't work

This is not my experience at all. I use these: Aquila Red Soprano Ukulele Strings (Low G).