Leave leather strap on?

Did the usual forum searches before posting this, still a little 'unsettled' on what the right thing to do is.

I have an F style mando and an A style mando. Both wonderful.

I use all leather straps when playing them. And I take them off before putting them in the case.

I heard someone say that they left the straps on in the case and never had any problem with the mando (finish, or what have you).

I always thought that you should remove them before they get put in the case. Am I off base with that thought?

I've been playing for years and I don't take the straps off. It just wears the one end of the strap putting it on taking it off instrument is fine. My $.02...

After decades of the strap being on the mandolin in the case I have had no problems. If you have a strap that was purchased you should be fine. If you made your own, make sure it was not salt tanned, as it could damage the finish.

The primary problem is/was with the (no-longer-common?) vinyl straps, or some related plasctic, that react with certain finishes (or maybe most finishes), turning the area brown or black. Not so nice!

Leather I leave on; just be careful to not press it into the instrument after the case is closed.

+1

I've kept leather straps on mandolins and banjos in the cases for years, no issues at all. I only take them off my guitars due to the nature of the strap and how it fits in the case.

Vinyl will melt lacquer. If in doubt about what the material in a strap is or the finish on the instrument remove the strap. Frank Ford discusses it in this article on his www.frets.com website.

I keep my leather strap on my mandolin all the time but I make sure it's not on top (or under) the mandolin. It's lined up along one side. You could possibly imprint the strap's profile onto a soft varnish surface I suppose.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton

Vinyl will melt lacquer. If in doubt about what the material in a strap is or the finish on the instrument remove the strap. Frank Ford discusses it in this article on his www.frets.com website.

I keep my leather strap on my mandolin all the time but I make sure it's not on top (or under) the mandolin. It's lined up along one side. You could possibly imprint the strap's profile onto a soft varnish surface I suppose.

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The straps are all leather, and I'd like to keep them on all the time. Thanks for the input!

You should be fine to leave them on all the time...

I've left my leather straps on for years with no issues. I did, however, own an Eastman varnished mandolin that the PO left the tuner clamped on to the headstock, and it damaged it.

Yes, you can leave your leather strap on. Most of us do.

One more vote to leave 'em on. My 2¢. ♫

The only type of leather strap I’d leave off in the case are those stupidly designed ones with a buckle.

Good quality soft leather should be fine. I use flat leather strap (1 1/2" wide) that I leave on all the time (it perfectly follows bass side rib up to the scroll and from there next to the neck laid flat tkes no space) and it hasn't caused any damage in 20 years or so.
I would use my nose as detector it material is safe - if the leather smells strongly of chemicals from tanning process I would leave it out for some time till the new smell goes away (or wash gently and dry slowly). But if there is not strong chemical smell I think it would be safe. I had some leather shoes that smelled like chemical factory when left in closed box for a few days and even smell of my feet couldn't beat that :-)

Did Bill?

Bob

Ditto Gruntfish............leave it on.

Great. I've been leaving mine on with a cloth in between and feeling guilty.

No more guilt!

I also leave it on... Lined up on the side, and rolled up in the cavity for the scroll (A style in an F style case).
However, the thick, padded strap on the electric is fitted with security locks and goes off every time to be rolled up completely. Folding it wasn't that good for the nice leather over time.

As long as the leather is not on something brass or bronze it should be okay. It will turn those things green.