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Thread: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

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    Question Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Hello,

    I just purchased my first F-style mandolin, which is 30 years old, and in perfect condition. I am concerned about a strap marring the finish in the area of the scroll. My questions are:

    1) Is this a legitimate concern?
    2) If yes, what steps can I take to protect the scroll?

    Thanks,

    Gib

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    I use a "Softy" mandolin strap which has a soft leather loop. If the leather is soft enough it won't mar the finish.

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    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    There's a lot of players that pay a premium to have that look. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. I think player wear is part of what makes the look of older instruments. Abuse is one thing, but normal wear is another.
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    Destroyer of Mandolins
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Then of course, there's the obvious: You don't have to attach the strap to the scroll.
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Quote Originally Posted by TheMandoShop View Post
    I use a "Softy" mandolin strap which has a soft leather loop. If the leather is soft enough it won't mar the finish.
    Thanks for the responses! I will look into the "softy" strap.

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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    I use a leather strap that was hand made. Unfortunately, the thing was hand dyed as well. There's a yellowing on the binding now around where the strap touches. I'm willing to leave it, but be warned that even a soft leather strap may leave it's mark, especially if it's leaving it's dye around.

    It's worth nothing that 99.99999% of all leather products are treated with chromium blue as part of the normal processing. This means all leather at some point was bright blue, and then dyed to what you think is a natural color. Unless it's bright blue now, or you know the origins of that leather and the processing that was used, you should assume that it's been dyed to its current color, and you have a chance that they dye will leach out onto an instrument.

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    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Quote Originally Posted by lgibjones View Post
    Is this a legitimate concern?
    What do you mean?

    Will it happen? Probably, it depends.
    Will it hurt the instrument, structurally or affect the sound or playability? No. Probably not.
    Is it a bad thing? Well great minds disagree on this. Some pay extra, sometimes a lot extra, to get that kind of distressing on a new instrument.

    I would avoid putting the strap on the scroll. That will avoid that particular kind of wear, if it bothers you. Other kinds of wear are almost inevitable.
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Quote Originally Posted by JeffD View Post
    What do you mean?
    Now that you mention it, I'm not totally sure why I asked it that way. Part of me thought it was a possibility that wear might not occur in this situation.

    I play this mandolin a lot, and I don't think I'll sell it. Its age is making me little more neurotic than I normally am about maintaining its condition, but if I really think about it the wear is not that big a deal.

    I will keep the comments about leather dye in mind.

    Thank you for the responses!

  9. #9

    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Over time, anything will cause marking with the constant contact and rubbing.

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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Go play fiddle. You'll start to think of 30 years old as young. These things are durable to 150+ years if you take care of them.

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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    There have been a number of famous players who never used a strap, even standing up. Take a look at Dave Apollon for example. Not sure how many these days dispense with one.
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    Registered User Chip Booth's Avatar
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Yeah it will probably cause some wear. To me that is just how it works, it doesn't bother me at all.

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    Registered User dcoventry's Avatar
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Hanson View Post
    Over time, anything will cause marking with the constant contact and rubbing.
    It's true, just ask my wife.

    If you're playing with vim and vigor, marks will surely appear over time. It's like aging and living life; you'll get some battle scare. The chicks dig scars, though, you know?
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    "The chicks dig scars, though, you know? "

    Not the 25" long ones. Every time I try to show a chick my scar... I get my face slapped.
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Even the soft roo strap will rub off the finish on the scroll ridge over time. I don't care.

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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Anyone willing / able to share a photo of their strap and the damaged or not damaged scroll finish?

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    mandolin slinger Steve Ostrander's Avatar
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    I had an Eastman varnish that had suffered strap wear by the PO, but I don't have any photos. I looked like someone took a sander to it. It's not something that I would have done, but I got a good deal on it so I bought it and played it for a year.
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    Default Re: Will strap cause blemish on scroll of F-style Mandolin?

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Ostrander View Post
    I had an Eastman varnish that had suffered strap wear by the PO, but I don't have any photos.
    Varnish is much softer than lacquer and more susceptible to damage.

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