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Thread: A-style strap help

  1. #1
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    Hello all:

    I recently acquired a nice A-style mandolin, and I don't want to install a strap button on the neck heel. #Without the strap button, I have seen two different strap options: #the woven type that ties around the peghead, and the type that has a cord tied around the body under the fingerboard extension.

    A couple questions:

    1. #I haven't had any luck finding the woven, tie-around-the-peghead type. #I like the old-timey look of these. #Does anyone know where I can get one?
    2. #If I go with the tie-under-the-fingerboard type, what type of material should I use for the tie?

    Thanks in advance for your help.
    Marc

  2. #2
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    1)SEW a bit? [needle and thread]
    theres cotton webbing at the fabric store, various widths.

    for 2) B, is for Boot laces. , works fine for me.

    or nice Accessory cord from the mountain outdoor stores have a colorful outside.

    MC home page offers links to shops to buy readymades..

    Accessory on Classifieds here is there thats where folks that make stuff list their wares.




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    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  3. #3
    Registered User MLT's Avatar
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    Not trying to hi-jack the thread, but would like to ask about what people think about adding a button to an A-style at the heel? I personally do not care for the for the "tie-on" option. Is it the norm to just live with the "tie" option?
    MLT
    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
    Oregon Mandolin Orchestra
    Classical Mandolin Society of America
    Labraid Cytole

  4. #4
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    try a bailey #mandolin strap cost a few bucks but well worth it they have several options just what you need i have several #and think there just great

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    Hi Marc,
    For my A mandolins I've had success using a 3/4 inch leather strap from Levi available through many music stores including Elderly. The loop end fits comfortably around the peghead and the other end has the hole cutout for the endpin. Excellent strap for the money. You won't be disappointed. I don't blame you, I'm not into the strap button installed on the heel of the neck either and I refuse to do it to my mandos.

  6. #6
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    MLT
    RE strap button
    that is ground plowed so often ...
    it has already been thoroughly spoken of .
    enjoy looking back at the prior posted Abundance.
    one going in 'builders' right now..

    Normal , who Me?



    that being said: a pilot hole, a felt washer,
    and one of those screw in ones made out of an
    Ebony end pins is still a good looking installation.

    Drop it off at the luthier, if you are not comfortable with the drill.




    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  7. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Check out this thread.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  8. #8
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    The cricket never leaves home without a nice old piece of recycled buckskin girth hitched around it.

    j.
    www.condino.com

  9. #9
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    Here is another try on the photo...

    j.
    www.condino.com
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  10. #10
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Like any of these?

    http://www.katstraps.com/
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  11. #11
    Registered User Hoovetone's Avatar
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    Could you please explain why you don't want a strap button on the heel? They are very neat and non-avasive.I've put on a lot of them and never had any problems.I've seen some people tie leather all over their mandolins. They might not realize how tacky it looks.



    Life is short - Pray hard - Pick fast !

  12. #12
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    Thanks to everyone for my suggestions. #While I was stressing about this, my wife knitted me a rope-like strap that fits the bill. . . A great Christmas present.

    To Hoovetone:
    I don't have a problem with strap buttons in general. #If I were having a new mandolin custom-built, I would request that the luthier install one. #I just don't want to install one on my recently-acquired A style.
    Marc

  13. #13
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    When i bought my Weber Beartooth,i installed a strap button on the heel of the neck. There's a neck block at that position so there's plenty of wood to screw into.I just marked the position & then made a small indent.with an awl. I then used a VERY fine drill,about .030" dia. to start the hole off & then opened it up to 3/32" for the screw. I installed the button with a leather washer between it & the body of the mandolin & it's a neat,secure fixture. Done carefully,it does no damage & the Mandolin hangs right - no tipping forward. I tried the idea of the strap under the neck extension,but unless you can remove the loop from the main strap,you can only remove the strap from the Mandolin after removing the strings,
    Saska
    Weber F-5 'Fern'.
    Lebeda F-5 "Special".
    Stelling Bellflower BANJO
    Tokai - 'Tele-alike'.
    Ellis DeLuxe "A" style.

  14. #14
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    James what kind of mando
    Hobbit

  15. #15
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    Hobbit:

    That's one version of a Condino mandolin.

    j.
    www.condino.com

  16. #16
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    I was leery of having a strap button on my A style but I eventually pulled the trigger. I was having some fret work done and I told the guy to put one on.

    I'm glad he did.

  17. #17
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    You know how many mandos get fixed because of the tension with the rope around the head stock I know alot of luthiers cringe when they see a guitar or any thing tied to the head stock. I dont know if being picked up by the strap or what it is causing pressure but alot of them break
    Hobbit

  18. #18
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    HERE's my post on how I braid a mandolin strap using boot laces and yes I tie it around the peghead.

    f-d
    ¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

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