Strap Button Placement on an A

[Thomas Chapmond]

What is the thinking on where to install a strap button on an A model mandolin? On the "heel" of the neck joint or on the bottom side of the neck joint as I have seen on many guitars?

[Ken Berner]

I just cringe when I see one!!! If you are determined to do this yourself, proceed with caution; better still, take it to a luthier.

[mandolooter]

I, too, cringe when I see a strap button on a A style mandolin. #Here's a different option that works great and leaves the mandolin in original condition also. I used a old shoestring made outta nylon since it's tougher. #This has been on my mando for 2 years and is still like new.

[John Flynn]

I just cringe when I see one
Hey, I cringe when I see a scroll, so whaddya gonna do? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I thought it was worth mentioning that the "shoestring" option only works on a raised fretboard. For attached fretboards, such as all the Gibson A ovals and thier copies, as well as the A-40s and -50s, its a strap button or the headstock.

[kyblue]

When I got my Duff A5 2pt, it had a button on the side. #It drove me crazy, I don't see how someone can play without their hand bumping it. #

I took it out, and will soon have the hole that was left behind filled. #

I have the raised fretboard, so use the method shown above.

Paula

[Avi Ziv]

For a while I played a Phil Davidson mandolin that had a strap button in the back of the heel. It just came this way and I must say that it was very comfortable that way.

Now I have a raised fretboard on my Flatiron A5 and no strap. I was looking around a bit and saw, for instance, that the Long Hollow straps do not differentiate between an A and F strap. I can't quiet tell from the pictures but are those (most?) really fit both F and A mandos? Are they typically sized to over over the neck or just over the shoulder or both? I am looking for a good leather strap and would like to tie it around the bottom of the neck and not near the tuning pegs.

Avi

[mandopete]

I used a old shoestring made outta nylon since it's tougher. #
Man, I thought I was the only one with one of these ugly shoestring kludges...

[Zed]

My Rigel had the strap button on back of the heel... and i liked it. I had one put on the side of the neck heel on my MT and i like it there even better.

[Mace]

I had Lauren Dudenbostel make an A style strap with a 2 inch longer loop and it, with a bit of stretching, made it over the fretboard extension. Necessitates removing the strings a couple at a time to slip it over the headstock. Looks nice and neat and eliminated the shoelace look on my Givens. Were I to order another, I would make the loop 2 1/2 inches longer.

[mandolooter]

of course there's this option for the mandolins without a raised fretboard....

[mandolooter]

top view...under strings

[mandolooter]

mandopete...whatever works, works! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mandroid]

I wrap my strap around the peghead further out, between The #2&3 , 6&7 tuners , keeps it away from the nut, so whole fretboard is just as accesable as if youre sitting down..

[mandolooter]

Its never gotten in my way except when I play those super low notes where I fret behind the nut.