Strap length?

[LoneStarMandolin]

is there any set length for mandolin straps - a certain height most players favor?

[mritter]

I'm struggling with this as well. Can't seem to get a comfortable position.

I have an F style and it wants to tip headstock down if I let go of it; ie. if I take the picking forearm pressure off.

[Tim2723]

I get the sense that there are teachers who stress technique and they may prescribe a certain position that has to do with strap length. Other than that, I suppose it's just a matter of personal preferance. The only books I've read said that you should have a right angle at the elbow of your picking arm with your other thumb on the back of the neck, and that the instrument shouldn't rest on your lap when you sit. I don't do any of those things, so my technique is probably terrible.

I wouldn't listen to me if I were you.

[foldedpath]

Here's what I do. This is going to vary a lot between players, but it's based on help from my first mando teacher, a few instructional DVD's and workshops. You may prefer something different:

The basic position starts from how I play when seated, where the strap is just stabilizing, not holding the weight. I balance the mandolin against my left leg, with my left foot sitting on my mando case or a foot-rest, neck angled up... basically like a mini-classical guitar. I adjust my strap length so it provides just a little extra stability in that seated position. When I play standing up, the strap helps re-create that position.

About the headstock "nose dive".... I had a little trouble with that too on my F5-type, when I first got it. I added a Tonegard on the back, and an armrest. It was mainly for tone enhancement, but I found the extra weight towards the rear of the instrument helped with the balance. The friction from the strap takes care of the rest.

[Geoff B]

for straps there are 2 very SERIOUS considerations:
1) the strap has to be cool
2) You have to look cool wearing it.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

of course, I guess a third consideration would be to get a comfortable strap long enough to put the mandolin in a comfortable playing position. Tone gards and arm-rests do help with balancing the heavy headstock, but a wider strap with more friction has (in my experience) helped.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[Tim2723]

I fixed my F5 nose dive with a NeoTech strap. It grips your shoulder.

[Fretbear]

Doyle Lawson is a great example. His right arm is basically perpendicular to his body, and his mandolin is on that same line, with the peg head pointed very sight up from that position, which is probably both to accommodate the comfort of his fretting hand, and to put a very slight angle on his pick attack. He also wears his strap over his left shoulder, not Monroe style. Everyone's height is different, so their strap length will have to be as well.

[Ivan Kelsall]

I've adjusted my strap so that the Mandolin hangs just above my belt,that way there's no chance of it hitting the buckle if i ever forget to twist it my belt round out of the way. I also find that the higher position,with a shorter strap,helps keep the Mandolin nice & stable,especially when playing faster songs. John Reischman seems to have his Mandolin round about the same position. It IS all a matter of personal preference, & only trying various instrument positions will work it out for any individual,
Saska

[mandroid]

throw a tailor's tape over your shoulder, one end at zero, the other end will suggest how long a strap you need , in inches, read off the tape.

[Stephanie Reiser]

Sam Bush wears his strap long and low, but I find it difficult to play complicated music that low, so I wear my higher.

[GRW3]

Most commercial mando straps top out at 40-42". I believe the target application is the over the shoulder Monroe style. I strap up guitar style, around the back. I ordered a Bill Bailey custom strap at 52". It can be adjusted from that.

I found the ideal strap length using a leather shoelace strap. All you need is to do is add slip knots at both ends. I just worked it around until I was comfortable. For me, being long waisted, I needed it to work seated and standing. I also have it set so my left arm is straight wihtout a bend at the wrist.

Anyway, find your best position, choked up close to hanging low, by experimentation. Play in that position for at least an hour or through a jam. Find a strap that can be set to the length you want of contact one of the custom makers. I've not tried them all but I did some 'Cafe' research and chose Bill Bailey. He has measurement info on his website.

[devilstone_the_bard]

I was fighting with this for a while and what I came up with was to play some "air mando" both sitting and standing. #Marking (with the help of the wife) where my hands naturally wanted to go, I then was handed the mando, played it a bit from where my arms / hands wanted to be, and then marked the length with a piece of rope, measured that, and I am somewhat comfortable. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif