Planning First Guitar Strap

[IngleGunLeather]

Ok, so I have received a template set from Grey Ghost graphics. Very good quality with instructions and templates. My question though is what weight leather would be good? I'm thinking 6/7 oz veg tan lined with 2/3 oz suede? Is this going to be too thick or too stiff? Also, I'll be doing my sewing on a Cobra Class 4, and would like a needle/thread recommendation as well.

Thanks,

CT

[Chief31794]

Ok, so I have received a template set from Grey Ghost graphics. Very good quality with instructions and templates. My question though is what weight leather would be good? I'm thinking 6/7 oz veg tan lined with 2/3 oz suede? Is this going to be too thick or too stiff? Also, I'll be doing my sewing on a Cobra Class 4, and would like a needle/thread recommendation as well.

Thanks,

CT

I make guitar, banjo and dobro straps at 6 oz total. If you're going to line it, then I would use 3/4 oz leather with the 2/3 oz suede. Others may have different specs but for me 6 oz has always worked out, they drape really well and don't feel stiff at all.

Chief

[DoubleC]

Hi CT. I use 7-8oz on all my straps, and then line them and put foam on them. I've used suede before to line with and never had any trouble with them being stiff. However, I use bag balm on mine after all the dye, finish etc. and work that into the leather for probably 1/2 hour and let it soak in over night. I get a nice drape out of them using this method. Cheryl

[Bluesman]

I use 8/9 oz and then line with 2/3 oz. I find the thicker top leather allows a very nice deep tooling pattern and I have no problem with how they drape. I guess it becomes a personal preference Make a few and see what you like. As for your needle requirements, you could PM wizcrafts on this board, he is the resident sewing machine experts. Make sure you post your work.

[chancey77]

Yep I am in the boat with Bluesman.

8-9 oz with a 2-3 liner, or upholstery liner.

IF I LINE IT!

Most of the time I just make sure the KIP on the backside is good and smooth when I buy the skins. After I tool it out I just oil and wax the back side ad leave it good to go. As a musician I have tried so many combinations over the years so this is what I tend to like the best for my straps....it is all opinion and preference, so just do whatever the client wants! If I had a Cobra I might be putting on Liners all the time:) But I don't own a sewing machine for industrial sewing.....YET:)

[IngleGunLeather]

I use 8/9 oz and then line with 2/3 oz. I find the thicker top leather allows a very nice deep tooling pattern and I have no problem with how they drape. I guess it becomes a personal preference Make a few and see what you like. As for your needle requirements, you could PM wizcrafts on this board, he is the resident sewing machine experts. Make sure you post your work.

Thanks Bluesman for the info.I tend to use 6/7 oz for my belts and holsters, so this information puts that weight into a very usuable range. What do you prefer as a lining material? I saw one last night at Guitar Center that felt like it was made out of chap leather. It was really nice and soft. May have to experiment. And be sure that I will post photos. I'm a show off. Lol.

Edited December 28, 2012 by CountryTrash

[IngleGunLeather]

Yep I am in the boat with Bluesman.

8-9 oz with a 2-3 liner, or upholstery liner.

IF I LINE IT!

Most of the time I just make sure the KIP on the backside is good and smooth when I buy the skins. After I tool it out I just oil and wax the back side ad leave it good to go. As a musician I have tried so many combinations over the years so this is what I tend to like the best for my straps....it is all opinion and preference, so just do whatever the client wants! If I had a Cobra I might be putting on Liners all the time:) But I don't own a sewing machine for industrial sewing.....YET:)

Thanks for the info Chancey. Do you have any issues with the dye rubbing off when going unlined? I was thinking I'd have to worry less about rub off if I lined it.

Hi CT. I use 7-8oz on all my straps, and then line them and put foam on them. I've used suede before to line with and never had any trouble with them being stiff. However, I use bag balm on mine after all the dye, finish etc. and work that into the leather for probably 1/2 hour and let it soak in over night. I get a nice drape out of them using this method. Cheryl

Thanks Cheryl. What thickness and type foam are you using?

[Bluesman]

Thanks Bluesman for the info.I tend to use 6/7 oz for my belts and holsters, so this information puts that weight into a very usuable range. What do you prefer as a lining material? I saw one last night at Guitar Center that felt like it was made out of chap leather. It was really nice and soft. May have to experiment. And be sure that I will post photos. I'm a show off. Lol.

For lining I use a 2/3 very soft veg tan from Springfield Leather, I also use his 2/3 pigskin. What I like about lining with Veg is that it burnishes. I tried suede and it burnished.......okay I guess. But not like veg tan. Also being a guitar player for many years, I prefer my strap to slide, so suede is not my choice of lining. But then again you do what the customer wants. If you use suede, burnish with paraffin only, this seems to work well. Try a sample piece all glued together before you attempt the strap.

[IngleGunLeather]

I make guitar, banjo and dobro straps at 6 oz total. If you're going to line it, then I would use 3/4 oz leather with the 2/3 oz suede. Others may have different specs but for me 6 oz has always worked out, they drape really well and don't feel stiff at all.

Chief

Thanks Chief. Heading to Georgia in a week!Woohoo! Can't wait to get back on the east coast.

[DoubleC]

Hey CT, I just bought some thin foam from SLC. Before that I've even used the foam at Walmart for preschoolers that has tape on the back, and cut it to fit. I'd say both are about 1/16th of an inch. Cheryl