Chief31794 Report post Posted December 16, 2013 Mandolin Strap I made recently, not too much different than a Guitar strap but only 2" wide (sometimes 1-1/2") and the technique for attaching the front of the strap to the Mandolin. It is attached either by looping it through the scroll on a F-Style Mandolin and then pulling the strap through the leather thong or by tying it around the headstock just after the nut on A-Style Mandolins. Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FISTfullaLEATHER Report post Posted December 16, 2013 Very clean. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Banjoza Report post Posted January 4, 2014 Chief, thank you for posting this. Do you have a pattern/template or dimensions (plus attachment method) for a BANJO strap? I would like to try and make one for my brother but I don't want to ask him for measurements in case it winds up being a doggy chew-toy or something! Many thanks Lorna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief31794 Report post Posted January 4, 2014 I have a template for a cradle type strap and an attachment type strap, I had them made into an Acrylic Template by Joyce at Black River Laser. I have the diagrams I sent her and will send a pdf of them, you can make it by using a 2-1/2" strap and cutting it to the specs in the pdf. It will take me a little while to put the measurements on the pdf. You need to know which strap she wants, an Attachment Strap works on any Banjo and can be easily removed to put the banjo in the case, a cradle strap is desired by high end banjo players, ie. Gibson, Stelling, Deering (not the goodtime), Huber, etc. Most imported Banjos including Fenders don't have the clearance under the j-hooks to attach a cradle strap and it cannot be easily removed and is stored in the case with the Banjo. Some folks don't like storing the strap in the case. I'll post directions for both. Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief31794 Report post Posted January 4, 2014 Here is the pattern for both kinds of Banjo Straps. I annotated it as best I could to assist you in measuring out the strap. I use Hermann Oak, 2-1/2" straps split to exactly 6oz. I buy a 2" strap as well for the back piece and have it split to exactly 6 oz. You can buy them in the 6-7oz range if you like, I like them completely consistent throughout the strap. If I'm going to line the strap, I replace the 2-1/2" strap with a 2-1/2" strap split to 4oz and a 3" strap of 2-3oz for the liner. I get them from Springfield Leather and they charge me $1.00 each for splitting the two straps so that adds to the cost which I pass on the the customer. Unlined actually works better in that it drapes much better and is easier to get in the case. The 2nd and 3rd page of the PDF is a diagram of how the two different straps attach to the banjo. For the cradle strap I tie them off with leather shoe lace material and I use Chicago Screws on the attachment type but the customer has to either get an attachment kit from a music store or 3/4" plastic snap hooks for the other type. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm enclosing a picture of each type of strap as well as the pattern. Hope this helps, Chief Banjo Strap Both.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Banjoza Report post Posted January 4, 2014 This is fantastic Chief. Many thanks indeed. My brother has a few Banjos, one of which is an electric job so I'm sure the strap will fit something in his armoury. I may have to be satisfied with any sort of leather I can get my hands on but I will try to get as close to the stuff you recommend here. Regards Lorna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Early2rise Report post Posted January 8, 2014 I have a Gibson and a Huber, both with cradle straps that were purchased. I've always planned to make my own straps but it keeps getting pushed to the back of the line. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chief31794 Report post Posted January 8, 2014 I have a Gibson and a Huber, both with cradle straps that were purchased. I've always planned to make my own straps but it keeps getting pushed to the back of the line. Most of my cradle straps go on gibsons, stellings, hubers, deerings, etc. Hard to explain at christmas time when a customer wants to buy a strap for her boyfriend, husband, father, etc. that mostly the more expensive banjos will take ( and really need) a cradle strap. I try to get them to get me the name on the "top of the banjo". I made a lot of them last year for Christmas (cradle and attachment types) but this year I sold more mandolin straps than Banjo straps. I have a Deering but I should sell it, my main instrument is a Dobro and I haven't picked the banjo up in about two years. Thanks for commenting. Chief Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
