Members Chavez Posted November 9, 2012 Members Report Posted November 9, 2012 Hi all! I'm about to start making a couple guitar straps and I would be very grateful if somebody could advise me on dealing with the sweat issue. Guitar players tend to sweat a lot... At least I did when I used to play =) Especially when the stage gets boiling hot from the lights, etc. I am going to carve the belts, so I would ideally go for single layer of heavy leather. This will, however result in the flesh side soaking up sweat like a sponge - I won't be surprised if the belt starts stinking very quickly=)) How do you guys deal with problem? Line & resolene? What if the belt is not lined? Thank you for your help! Quote
Members DoubleC Posted November 9, 2012 Members Report Posted November 9, 2012 Hi Chavez. I line all my straps and no one has complained yet about sweat. And the one strap I replaced was a completely overlaid cobra strap that the guy had used for 20 years and sweat from his neck had actually eaten up the edge in that area of the cobra leather. But the veg tanned underneath was still fine. I'll be honest with you, if the musician takes the least bit of care of his strap I don't think the sweat will damage it. I have a horse and do you know how long bridles, halters, etc last? Clean and condition them once in a while and I think the straps will be good to go for a long time. I line mine so I can put foam on the underside of mine not to make them last longer. Cheryl Quote http://www.etsy.com/shop/DoubleCCowgirl
Members Cyberthrasher Posted November 9, 2012 Members Report Posted November 9, 2012 Shouldn't be a problem at all, but if you're really worried about it, try to slick it up and mat the inside. That will help keep it from sucking up too much moisture. Just make sure your customers are informed on how to properly care for the leather and there shouldn't be any issues. All of my guitar straps are made from a single layer of 8/9 oz leather and I send each customer an overly detailed care sheet. I've never had any problems to date, and they get some pretty heavy use. Quote hellhoundkustoms.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/hellhoundkustoms www.etsy.com/shop/HellhoundKustoms
Members Chavez Posted November 9, 2012 Author Members Report Posted November 9, 2012 Thanks! These two belts are actually for very old friends of mine, so I wouldn't mind making new belts in a few years if these become bad, but I'd rather make them right first time=) Cyberthrasher, would you be so kind to share the care sheet with me or perhaps tell me a few helpful tips? What do you apply to the flesh side? I guess case it, slick it, then wax or resolene? Thank you! Quote
Members Cyberthrasher Posted November 9, 2012 Members Report Posted November 9, 2012 I don't apply anything to the flesh side. I pretty much always leave them natural. I don't even slick them, but that's just a thought I had. Usually I try to find a part of the hide that has a nice firm and compacted back to it with nothing stringy hanging off. If it does have something like that, then I'll sand it up the best I can and make sure that's positioned on the back side of the strap. I'll send you a PM with my aftercare that I send out. Quote hellhoundkustoms.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/hellhoundkustoms www.etsy.com/shop/HellhoundKustoms
Members Chavez Posted November 9, 2012 Author Members Report Posted November 9, 2012 Thank you very much! Quote
Members Aurelie Posted November 17, 2012 Members Report Posted November 17, 2012 stupid question : someone cares to tell me the length and width of a guitar strap? i guess they exist in several length and width due to the size of the guy and likes of the guy? and if there are several kind of way to attach the strap to the guitar i think i have a feeling to try to make a guitar strap Quote In for a penny, in for a pound....
Chief31794 Posted November 17, 2012 Report Posted November 17, 2012 (edited) stupid question : someone cares to tell me the length and width of a guitar strap? i guess they exist in several length and width due to the size of the guy and likes of the guy? and if there are several kind of way to attach the strap to the guitar i think i have a feeling to try to make a guitar strap Aurelie, There are no stupid questions. Sometimes there can be stupid answers, but that's the way it is. There are no absolutes, but here is what I use. Guitar Straps typically come in one of two widths (there are exceptions), 2-1/2" the most popular and 3". Guitar Straps typically are adjustable from about 44" to 52", If I have a very large or very small customer I will adjust a little. Most Guitars have two pins one on the rear and one over or under the neck depending on the type of guitar (A few Accoustics don't have a front pin, and the strap can be attached with leather cord or braided cord, just above the nut under the strings, still same length on average). Some guitarists use Strap Locks and if that's what they are going to use, then you can custom make the holes to accomodate although Strap Locks will work with a normal 1/4" hole. One other difference is that some pickups on accoustics have a rear pin that the cord plugs into and that requires a larger button, so the hole will have to be more like 3/8" to fit well. the holes for pins are "Keyhole" type holes with, normally, a 1/4" hole and then a 3/4-1" slit ending in a size 00 hole to prevent splitting. Hope this helps, Chief Edited November 17, 2012 by Chief31794 Quote "Life's too short to carry ugly leather"
Members Aurelie Posted November 17, 2012 Members Report Posted November 17, 2012 Nice thanks Chief! lighten my "bulb" about guitar straps Quote In for a penny, in for a pound....
Members Chavez Posted November 20, 2012 Author Members Report Posted November 20, 2012 Black River Laser have some nice templates for the straps by the way =) Quote
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