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Thread: Where to tie the strap on an a style?

  1. #1
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Some tie the strap to the headstock just above the nut (it gets in my way).

    Some tie it to the headstock just above the first pair of tuners (that's what I have been doing)

    Some have a strap button installed at the base of the neck

    Now I saw a photo showing the strap tied around the base of the neck running under the elevated fretboard. (see below the recent photo posted in the "overalls" thread by pjama.) That would give you a position similar to a strap button without drilling a hole. Any problems with this method?
    Jammin' south of the river
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    Purveyor of Sunshine sgarrity's Avatar
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    I've done them all. Try them and see which one you like best. There is no detriment to any of them.

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    I've tried them all and found under the elevated fretboard works best for me YMMV.

    GVD
    GVD

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    Geoff Clarkson squirrelabama's Avatar
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    on my vintage A's I tie or attach the strap end to the second E string tuner (thanks Steven!) It works really well, and provides excellent support for the neck, relieving your picking arm/hand of the minor weight involved with keeping the neck at playing level. Some folks even do this with their F styles for that very reason. The tuner is more than strong enough to support the weight too. And most importantly, I don't have to drill any new holes in my vintage mando!
    I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

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    Registered User Matt Hutchinson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by (GVD @ Aug. 28 2008, 14:05)
    I've tried them all and found under the elevated fretboard works best for me YMMV.

    GVD
    Yep, works best for me too. No need to add a strap button. I never got on with a strap attached to the headstock, always gets in the way of my gorilla sized hands!

  6. #6
    Geoff Clarkson squirrelabama's Avatar
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    I should have also added that unlike tying the strap directly to the headstock, the method I outlined above does not get in the way nearly as much.... it's almost out of the way.... worth a try, and easy to undo!!
    I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

  7. #7

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    Another vote for around the base of the neck, under the elevated fretboard. I do two that way.

  8. #8
    Registered User Tom Sanderson's Avatar
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    [QUOTE] the strap tied around the base of the neck running under the elevated fretboard.

    In my 30 plus years of playing mandolin, I've found that this method is the best

  9. #9
    Mike Parks woodwizard's Avatar
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    Yes ... My vote too ... for around the base of the neck, under the elevated fretboard. If it doesn't have a strap button I would not install one especially on a vintage instrument. If you like the strap button feel this is the way to go.
    I Pick, Therefore I Grin! ... "Good Music Any OLD-TIME"

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  10. #10
    Registered Mandolin User mandopete's Avatar
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    Where to tie the strap on an a style?

    Can't be done, you'll just have to sit down.
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    Here is another way to strap an A. A 1/4" o.d. brass sleeve is pressed into a 1/4" dia. hole. String a piece of leather strip or shoelace through the hole, tie it into a loop, and attach your f-style strap to the loop. If a scroll is a $2000 strap hanger, then this could be called a $50 strap hanger.

    http://www.Cohenmando.com
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  12. #12
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    The tube is pretty interesting... I tried around the base and under the fretboard and it works great. Feels like it would with a strap button without having to drill the hole. Only thing is the look of it. A strap button would be cleaner.
    Jammin' south of the river
    '20 Gibson A-2
    Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor Guitar
    Penny Whistle
    My albums: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?u=7616

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    What caused me to try the tube was the positions available for strap buttons. You can either put them on the neck heel, or on the back plate at the heel button. In either place, the button can get in the way. The tube doesn't get in the way; it is trimmed flush with the surfaces of back plate and the fretboard extender on the top plate side. At 1/4" o.d., the tube is hardly noticeable except in a closeup photo such as the one above. An additional benefit is that when one is not using a strap, there is nothing sticking out of the mandolin.

    http://www.Cohenmando.com

  14. #14
    Registered User jim_n_virginia's Avatar
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    +1 tying around and under elevated fretboard.

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    Registered User Martin Jonas's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by (jim_n_virginia @ Sep. 01 2008, 03:38)
    +1 tying around and under elevated fretboard.
    Assumes of course that you have an elevated fingerboard, which vintage Gibsons don't.

    Martin

  16. #16
    Registered User John Flynn's Avatar
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    I think it depends on your playing and your preferences. I use a button on the heel, but my fretboard is not elevated; I don't play up the neck a lot, so the button getting in the way is not a factor; and I just don't like strapping to the headstock. But everyone is different.

  17. #17
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    I tie the strap around the body on my Flatiron A and it doesn't have an elevated fingerboard. Works just ducky.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    Default Re: Where to tie the strap on an a style?

    "on my vintage A's I tie or attach the strap end to the second E string tuner (thanks Steven!)"

    And thanks to you, Squirrelabama! I tried this (along with all the other non-button suggestions in this string) and this works by far the best for me. I don't even think about the strap any longer and it's been bugging me since I took the instrument up a year ago.
    "Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't, you're right!" Henry Ford

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  19. #19
    Registered User Elliot Luber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to tie the strap on an a style?

    I find tying it around the middle of the headstock (over first set of tuners) works the best.

  20. #20
    I may be old but I'm ugly billhay4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to tie the strap on an a style?

    Tie a piece of rawhide lace around the instrument under the fingerboard extension. You use rawhide to eliminate any scratches. Attach the strap the the lace.
    Advice a la Peter Martin. It gives the best balance for the instrument and involves no intrusion.
    Bill

  21. #21
    Registered User Jude Reinhardt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to tie the strap on an a style?

    Like Squirrelabama I fasten the end of my strap to the first or second E string tuner button.

    Jude

  22. #22
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    Default Re: Where to tie the strap on an a style?

    I have no problem with a strap on the head of my vintage Gibson "A" which, as Martin says, doesn't have an elevated fingerboard. My new Kimble "A" came with a button already fitted on the heel so I didn't need to worry about whether to fit one.
    Ray

  23. #23

    Default Re: Where to tie the strap on an a style?

    I'm going to out a button on the heel. Wonder if I should go straight center or put it on the top though, what do you thinK? Top of the heel obviously

  24. #24
    Gilchrist (pick) Owner! jasona's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to tie the strap on an a style?

    Button the heel for me. Works great!
    Jason Anderson

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  25. #25
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Where to tie the strap on an a style?

    I keep thinking of putting a heel button on my Japanese "Shiro". Wouldn't want to do that on my Weber, a lanyard around the body under the fretboard works just fine. If you make a loop on the end, you can pass the strap through it and remove it easily...no tieing required.
    Jammin' south of the river
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    Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor Guitar
    Penny Whistle
    My albums: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?u=7616

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