I have an Eastman MD-315 (F-style) mandolin. My first mando. All pictures of players with F style mandolins that I've seen connect the top of the strap to the scroll. When I try this, I find I have to support the mandolin with my left/fretting hand because if I let go, it dips headstock first since it's top heavy. Is this normal or am I missing something here? I'm using a basic D'Addario Planet Waves 3/4" Leather Mandolin Strap. If I attach the top to the peghead I don't have to support it with my left hand but would prefer to attach it to the scroll. Hope this makes sense.
I haven't played an Eastman, but it sounds like they might be a bit 'head heavy'. Some mandolins are. Maybe a solution would be to use a wide strap, or at least a not real smooth strap, so there is more friction between your shoulder and the strap? In general, I haven't liked having a strap go to the headstock, but I have that arrangement on an old Gibson A because I don't want to put on a button and the fretboard sits down on the soundboard.
Hi mandoweather. I used a guitar strap on my 315. I had it set pretty short, so the mandolin is up around my ribcage. I didn't find that I had to work to support the mandolin with my left hand, because the full weight of the mandolin was supported by the strap, but I was able to adjust the position of the neck with my left hand to suit me. I didn't think about it much, but I suppose it is fair to say that the mandolin was very comfortable to play in an almost lateral position, and I would sometimes shift it up to be at more of an angle, so you could say that some support was provided by the left hand. But again, the weight was always borne by the strap. I apologize for the size of this image, you can get a better look at my website, also you can see a few videos of me playing this mandolin to see the positioning if you wish, here: http://www.markgunter.net/cool_stuff...labor-day-2017
This week I switched from a Neotech strap attached to the headstock, to a thinner vegan leather strap laced around where the body meets the bridge (I have an Eastman 305 A-style). I did this because I found the strap would get in the way if I was playing chords near to the headstock (the f chord specifically). At first it feels quite odd because the weight is being distributed differently, but after a few days I got used to it. Just play and be aware that you need to keep your hand on the neck a bit more than previously.
" a thinner vegan leather strap " -- I don't think you can skin vegans in the USA
Thanks everyone for the comments. This helps. Mark...I think I'll try a guitar strap similar to the one you used. -Bill
Hey Mark: I just noticed that an oversized image does not result in a 'blown thread' here in Newbies. It does get chopped a bit. But definitely not a major problem like in some other forums I have inhabited.
"" a thinner vegan leather strap " -- I don't think you can skin vegans in the USA" Here in the UK it's absolutely fine! :-)
A thinner vegan leather strap " -- I don't think you can skin vegans in the USA" Here in the UK it's absolutely fine! :-) In fact it’s compulsory in some counties
Hank, probably <img style=“overflow: hidden;”>
