Strap around headstock?

[John Bertotti]

I do not have a strap for my A. I am thinking about one but do not want to add a button on the neck heel or anywhere for that matter. I can play standing up with out a strap but I am always concerned a bump might knock it loose and I don’t want to drop. Which leaves me with putting it around the headstock. Is this a problem? I have seen others do this but just want to check to be sure. Thanks!

[pops1]

I have been doing that on all my mandolins for 30 years, no problems yet. I like to not go right behind the nut to keep it out of the way of my hands.

[multidon]

If you have a modern elevated fretboard, you can pull a leather bootlace through your upper strap buttonhole, then tie it under the fretboard extension. Works well, hurts nothing. Of course if you play an instrument with the board glued to the top, that won’t work.

[John Bertotti]

Thanks I will go around the headstock. My Mandolin is an Oldwave oval A. Very much like and old Gibson A so the board is glued to the board.

[Eric Platt]

My Collings has it that way. Best if you can keep it away from the nut, otherwise it might (or might not) interfere with your hand).

[Doug Brock]

I currently have the strap on my MD505 around the headstock, but it is up over the tuners and away from the nut. The strap doesn’t get in my way while playing but it does get in the way while tuning. I’m not happy with this solution and may eventually go back to tying under the fingerboard OR install a strap button.

[Bill Clements]

Check out the mandolin straps made by Bill Bailey (http://thebaileystrap.com).
Bill makes terrific straps and is a heck of a nice guy to do business with.

[Andrew Faltesek]

Check out the mandolin straps made by Bill Bailey (http://thebaileystrap.com).
Bill makes terrific straps and is a heck of a nice guy to do business with.

Yup! Measure and get a strap from Bill Bailey! Love mine which was a top grain sunburst...excellent! And as said: a super nice guy to do business with!

[AlanN]

If you have a modern elevated fretboard, you can pull a leather bootlace through your upper strap buttonhole, then tie it under the fretboard extension. Works well, hurts nothing.

Recently got a KM 900 (good tone!) and do it this way. I may consider adding a heel button, but this way works fine.

[John Bertotti]

I have some nice supple leather I was going to use on a different project. I think I will try to make my own strap. Not sure how to measure maybe just try some string and see where I like it to hang then cut to suit.

[dhergert]

Hmmm, maybe it's just my OCD, but I'd worry that a strap connected to the peghead would weaken the neck joint, especially since the neck joint can be a weak point with some mandolins (and guitars and ...) anyway -- there can be a lot of leverage applied with a strap on the peghead.

Also, I really don't like a strap in the way of my left hand, I find it distracting.

So, if it were me, I'd have a strap pin installed, and I'd seriously consider having it installed on the down-side of the neck block instead of anywhere on the heel.

YMMV...

[AlanN]

I'd have a strap pin installed on the down-side of the neck block instead of anywhere on the heel.

+1

[Ray(T)]

It’s entirely down to you but I find straps hanging amongst the tuners a pain. I don’t have a button at the heel on my ‘24 Snakehead but more or less everything else has.

[lflngpicker]

I have seen and heard from others that the headstock method works great. I prefer the strap right behind the nut on my two Gibson A's, which also have no fingerboard extension. I use a leather shoelace to keep the thicker part of the strap away to free up my fretting hand and extend that to tie on the strap. Works great and doesn't stress the tuning machines that way.

[John Bertotti]

I have no intentions of adding a hole for a strap button. For my use the strap won’t be holding the instrument just in place I case if a slip and tumble so it doesn’t bee line it to the ground.

[Nick Royal]

I have a 1923 Gibson A mandolin with the strap around the headstock. The main problem is getting one of the G strings out of tune
w. that arrangement.

[pops1]

I have mine on the headstock and have no problems with tuning on any strings. It's a matter of placement. Don't like it against the nut, don't like it in the way.

[mbruno]

I have an F9 and another F5 style. I used to wrap the strap around the scroll but recently started putting it around the head stock between the tuning pegs (specifically between the pegs for the G and E courses). I found this provided much better stability while playing which allowed my left hand to not be supporting the mandolin like it was when the strap was around the scroll. I make sure the strap is out of the way of the pegs themselves so I can tune (and so it doesn't go out of tune due to the strap)

I haven't seen any issues with the head stock or tuning etc in the ~6 months I've been doing this. Scott Gates is the dude that turned me on to this and I believe he's been doing it that way for many many years.

I think you are safe to go around the head stock. I would avoid going near the nut though as you'll end up cutting off some ability to play on the first fret due to the angle of the strap.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Mine go around the neck heels and under the ends of the fretboards. I like it better there because it's balanced and my left hand doesn't go near the strap.

This picture shows what it looks like (click to enlarge):

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[John Bertotti]

I like the idea of going around the heel and fretboard but it isn't a choice I have on my mandolin the board is flat to the top like an old Gibson. So where would you place your loop? I'm tempted for dead center but I can see how this might interfere with tuning.

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[lflngpicker]

I like the idea of going around the heel and fretboard but it isn't a choice I have on my mandolin the board is flat to the top like an old Gibson. So where would you place your loop? I'm tempted for dead center but I can see how this might interfere with tuning.

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Great flame and color on that A4!

[dan in va]

The strap button doesn't suit me at all and it's not good for resale. Wrapping one end behind the nut is in the way and the further toward the tip of the peghead the less stable the mandolin hangs. So wrapping around the peghead between the G and E tuners is both out of the way and stable. It doesn't intefere with tuning if tied right.

JB - really nice looking fancy tuning buttons!

[John Bertotti]

The strap button doesn't suit me at all and it's not good for resale. Wrapping one end behind the nut is in the way and the further toward the tip of the peghead the less stable the mandolin hangs. So wrapping around the peghead between the G and E tuners is both out of the way and stable. It doesn't intefere with tuning if tied right.

JB - really nice looking fancy tuning buttons!

Thanks. I saw someone here with them years ago when I order this model from Old Wave and he got them done for me by Blohm? I think that is the correct spelling but won't swear to it. I was all hot on Waverly tuners but i couldn't afford both those and the buttons, the buttons won. I honestly don't rememebr if these are Schallers or Gotoh.

[John Bertotti]

Sorry double post and I do not know why!

[dan in va]

It's all good, JB. Those Blohm's are the real deal and worth a double tap any day.

[Cobalt]

A strap is not something I need much of the time, but when I do, I'd attach it like this:
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The old Flatiron is showing signs of wear, a well-used instrument, it goes everywhere.

[StillStephen]

Check out the mandolin straps made by Bill Bailey (http://thebaileystrap.com).
Bill makes terrific straps and is a heck of a nice guy to do business with.

+1 on Bailey straps - ordered one for my A style. I attach it between the tuners to keep it away from the nut.

[Charlie Bernstein]

. . . I'm tempted for dead center but I can see how this might interfere with tuning.
I have it looped between the headstock on my squareneck, and it doesn't affect tuning. I just keep an eye on it to make sure the cord stays away from the keys. And a dobro gives you more headstock acreage than a mando does.

I have to caveat all this, however, by stipulating that I have very little idea what I'm doing.

[pops1]

Like Cobalt, before the G and between the E's.

[dan in va]

There are ways to tie it so the thong is tight around the peghead between both pairs of the G and E posts and the knot is on the back. This way the strap comes off the back side toward you and doesn't touch the tuning buttons.

[pops1]

Actually I don't tie it on, I simply have the strap on front, under the strings. That keeps it away from the tuner, it goes around the headstock and slips onto a tuner button shaft. One mandolin on the A string, another goes around and to the D string tuner button shaft. Keeps the strap on front with nothing coming off the back to get in the way of the tuner.

[John Bertotti]

Actually I don't tie it on, I simply have the strap on front, under the strings. That keeps it away from the tuner, it goes around the headstock and slips onto a tuner button shaft. One mandolin on the A string, another goes around and to the D string tuner button shaft. Keeps the strap on front with nothing coming off the back to get in the way of the tuner.

I saw this done on some show and was just getting ready to ask if anyone did this. Are you worried of any extra stree on the tuner shaft?

[Bill McCall]

Check out the mandolin straps made by Bill Bailey (http://thebaileystrap.com).
Bill makes terrific straps and is a heck of a nice guy to do business with.

I agree that Bill makes wonderful straps and I have one. I would mention that they do not have much adjustment so if you decide you want to change the position of your strapped instrument it can be a challenge.

[fentonjames]

Even if you don't have a raised fingerboard, you can still put a strap around it. I've done this on a variety of mandolin types, including Martin A's and several Gibsons. Here's is a shot of my A-1 wide, with a strap around the end of the fingerboard.

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[Cobalt]

Even if you don't have a raised fingerboard, you can still put a strap around it. I've done this on a variety of mandolin types, including Martin A's and several Gibsons. Here's is a shot of my A-1 wide, with a strap around the end of the fingerboard.

I suppose it varies, but it seems to me that the loop is precariously positioned on a narrow cliff-edge, one small slip away from sliding right up the fretboard and under the strings. At any rate it is I suppose dependent on both personal preference and the geometry of an individual instrument. For example the scratch-plate might be positioned next to the end of the fretboard, where the strap could not satisfactorily go either over or under it.

[pops1]

I saw this done on some show and was just getting ready to ask if anyone did this. Are you worried of any extra stree on the tuner shaft?

No, the weight of the mandolin is very small compared to the tension of the strings on the tuner. It fits right near the body, not out by the button, so no leverage against the shaft really. It's slick, easy and out of the way.

[fentonjames]

I suppose it varies, but it seems to me that the loop is precariously positioned on a narrow cliff-edge, one small slip away from sliding right up the fretboard and under the strings. At any rate it is I suppose dependent on both personal preference and the geometry of an individual instrument. For example the scratch-plate might be positioned next to the end of the fretboard, where the strap could not satisfactorily go either over or under it.

Actually it does really well. It goes around the fingerboard then around the neck heel, where there are 2 nice corners where the heel meets the body. I think that that is actually the spot where the most 'work' is done. Tension caused by gravity while wearing it and having it on tight with a good knot in the first place, will keep it from slipping off the fingerboard end.

[fentonjames]

Of course, you need a strap that will allow this to work. One with shoestring size leads.

[Jim Garber]

I use this on my big dreadnaught. It should also work on a mandolin headstock with your favorite strap, is easy to detach and does not require any modification to the instrument.

Planet Waves Acoustic Guitar Quick-Release System (https://www.amazon.com/Planet-Acoustic-Guitar-Quick-Release-System/dp/B0002GWFEQ)

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[John Bertotti]

I decided to attempt a strap make on my own. I was overly wide on this each piece slice is about 3/4" so the braid looks chunky but it feels very nice all I have to do is add the ends. Probably cut those next weekend. So what do you think? This is my first attempt at a hidden braid.
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[Denny Gies]

I have a strap on the headstock on my A4. It goes through right against the nut Works fine.

[John Bertotti]

I decided to attempt a strap make on my own. I was overly wide on this each piece slice is about 3/4" so the braid looks chunky but it feels very nice all I have to do is add the ends. Probably cut those next weekend. So what do you think? This is my first attempt at a hidden braid.
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This three strand mystery braid was just to sloppy for me so I split it down to 6 individual strands and now have this. I like it better and will correct any length issues when I finish the ends. I definitely need to work on consistent tension and getting strands to be consistent in width. I was a bit sloppy cutting the pieces. I found it a bit more difficult than I anticipated. Sadly I found two spots where I messed up the weave and I will have to redo this again but with each try I get a bit better. So for a first try on a round braid it was a good go.

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[John Bertotti]

The last time I bring this one up. A few pics of my finished, sort of strap. I need to tweak it a bit but it is comfortable could maybe be a bit longer but the hardest part is getting used to a strap. I always play without one even standing. I will probably make it a bit longer so I can still play like I have no strap and if an oops happens it will be there to catch it before it hits the ground.

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I wove a triangle shaped crown on either end and then tied the end pieces on like some of the laces on baseball gloves are tied.