Strap button on an A style

[mzbanjo]

Hi all,
I'm just wondering how people put straps on their a style mandos. Are strap buttons commonly used on mandos? If so, where on the mando do you put them? I'm assuming the base of the neck but want to know how it's usually done. I want to get a strap for my a-9 (I always play it sitting down). Thanks for any help

piece
matt

[grandmainger]

Matt,

The easiest one to place is the one on the tailpiece one! Like this:

http://users.accesscomm.ca/muthmandolins/MONTELEON%20TAILPIECE.jpg
http://www.soundtoearth.com/prod_tailpieceunv_new.jpg

For the other side, I tie my strap at the base of the peg head, just before the nut, with the thin end of my strap going under the strings.
More info on straps for A-Style here... (http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2086.htm)

HTH

Germain

[grandmainger]

Here's an image of a nut-tied strap (the strap is the small black lace next to the nut)
http://zeppmusic.com/bplmandpghd.jpg

I've also just found this page, all about straps and strap buttons! (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/GenSetup/StrapButton/strapbutton1.html)

When I tie mine at the nut, I find that is can be somehow a bit in the way of my line of sight to the fret board. You can if you prefer tie it like this:

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/GenSetup/StrapButton/StrapButtonViews/noose.JPG

[Ken Berner]

Personally, I would NOT install one in the base of the neck or in the heel. If you are determined, be extremely careful not to split the wood!

[grandmainger]

NOT install one in the base of the neck or in the heel

Not keen on that myself, though I never pull on it to the point where it could be a problem... But I'm quite reluctant to drill a hole and fit a button anywhere on my mando...

[mrbook]

At the head, I tie a leather lace around the head between the two tuners for the G and E strings. It gives a little more clearance for my left hand than right behind the nut, and it has worked fine for 23 years on one mandolin I own. I don't like the extra button on the neck heel (side or bottom) - it seems to likely to get in the way when playing.

[Hoyt]

If you have a raised finger board like the picture above, it's easy to tie a strap as shown. It works very well.

A few comments about A styles without raised fretboard: After going years feeling like I should not put a strap button on the treble side of the neck, I finally did it on my Weber Bridger mandola. I couldn't be happier. I really hated the strap tied at the nut. It got in the way and was unwieldy.

I finally realized that adding a button at the neck/body might -- and I emphasize "might" -- reduce the value of my mando $100. I didn't buy it as an investment, I bought it to play and enjoy. In my mind, a possible slight reduction in value is worth having a mando that is easy to play with a strap.

Good luck. Hoyt

[ira]

i love having a strap up near the neck block. typing this from work. will see if i have a pic to post later. so much more comfy than tied to the head stock and no slippage.

btw- longhollow leather - inexpensive, well made, nice looking, comfy straps!

[mzbanjo]

Thanks guys, I'll try tying one on before drilling a hole in the neck.

piece
matt

[straight-a]

Looping around the base works great.

[mandroid]

For others, If Not of the elevated fingerboard type,like the A9 above, #the common spot has been heel of the neck, the bottom side.
palm of hand side of the neck, #Guitarists #use the same spot.
the block there is strong, for the dovetail joint, on an A40 i used to own, I put it at the top of the pear, on the back, close to the neck.
StewMac has some nice ebony.pearl-dot screw-in buttons.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[reeljigs]

dear mandroid,
Is it at all possible to post a picture of the exact spot you mean? Not quite picturing it.
thanks

[mandroid]

The A40 is in other hands long ago,So that is tough to do.
I will give an attempt at clarifying:, The neck fits into a matching tapered dove tail cut in a block in the end of the body
Look at stewMac site Kits, the innards on display.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop....details (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Kits/Mandolin_Kits/1/A5_Mandolin_Kits/Pictures.html#details)
Side of the neck heel , button screws into the side of the E string, [your hand's] palm will not have difficulty with it there.
Plan B is into the body block a large piece of strong wood.
Almost on the neck , thru the back into the body's block.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop....ns.html (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_parts/Acoustic_guitar:_Bridge_and_endpins/Acoustic_Guitar_Strap_Buttons.html)

Felt washer A good item to add,

drill size is the shaft of the screw minus the flutes of the helix. A hand "eggbeater" drill is nice and slow speed.

Hope this isnt less clear #than previous. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[RolandTumble]

My own preference for the "upper" strap location is in the back, either right in the heel (the spot that's called the "button" on a violin), or in the "neck block" area of the body.

I can't stand either the headstock tie-on or the side of the neck heel. Both get in the way. YMMV.

Whatever the choice, be very careful with the installation....