Straps for an A style in the UK

[ukrobbiej]

Yes I know, I am probably going to receive the wrath of the whole cafe for starting yet another strap thread, but, try as I might I cannot seem to find a decent leather strap here in the UK to fit an A mandolin with two strap buttons.

Most I have seen seem to have loops on one end, or a gurt big slot in the case of the planet waves ones. The neotech ones look nice, but they aren't leather, and I don't want one that looks like a car seat belt!

Ivan: I noticed on my travels that you have designed a very nice looking one via pine grove leathers, but.....they don't seem to be adjustable. Do you find this a problem?

This strap is for my partner who has just bought a beautiful Phil Davidson Celtic off of The Lord of the Badgers here. She has told me distinctly she wants something in black leather (come to think of it, I hope she was talking about mandolin straps

I could also do with one myself for my Weber octave, currently using a guitar strap, but it puts the mandolin at a slight angle I find.

Well, here's hoping that someone might know where I can get one for my dear lady and myself

Thanks,

Robbie

[pops1]

I have always made my own. Is there a place that repairs shoes or somewhere else that would have leather to sell. They will sell you a strip and you can cut to length with a sharp knife. They may even punch the holes for you. Somewhere that sells tack for horses would have leather reigns too that you could use. A soft leather belt is another source.

[AlanN]

Check with this fellow, his name is Rod Boyes.

[yankees1]

Partial to Bill Bailey straps ! I have owned three !

[Ron McMillan]

Making your own is satisfying. Most of these are not two-button straps, but are examples of ones I have made.

[acinva]

I really like the Levy's Leathers M19PR for A models -- I believe it may be available from Amazon.uk.

Alan

[fatt-dad]

Three 72-in rawhide boot laces and a girls pigtail braid.

Done!

f-d

[George R. Lane]

Robbie,
See if you can find a saddle maker,they can make one for you however long and with holes at both ends. Not a tough job for them.

[renoyd]

I like these s lot for A's. http://www.souldier.us/CustomMandolinStraps.aspx.

[Lord of the Badgers]

Rob
Pinegrove will make what you want! Rod asked me if I wanted adjustable, but what Ivan won't know is that this mandolin needs it to go on a strap button - there's no gap under the fretboard. Give Rod a bell mate.
Glad she's happy. I admit it was a slight wrench but more for sentimentality than playing's sake!

[Ivan Kelsall]

Offloading mandolins now are we Badger !!!. I just sent Robbie an e-mail via.the Cafe. Rod should be able to fix him up eaily enough. I've asked Rod about Black leather straps myself & he's found a way to effectively dye one of the Brown leathers he uses. Robbie just needs to determine the length required & maybe ask for an extra couple of endpin holes for adjustment,
Ivan

[bbcee]

+1 for Pinegrove - I got one for my A5 on Ivan's recommendation and I couldn't be happier. They're terrific straps, and Rod is a gent to deal with.

[UsuallyPickin]

A hangman's noose at each end of a leather shoelace works great for an over one shoulder strap. If you want one to go behind your neck it takes two laces. You want to tie the joining knot after you make the end nooses so it will be located " in the air" between the heel button and your "off" shoulder. R/

[Cary Fagan]

I make mine out of narrow leather belts. Works great.

[Lord of the Badgers]

Offloading mandolins now are we Badger !!!.

don't jinx it or i'll change my mind ha ha

[Shelagh Moore]

Like Cary Fagan I've made my own for myself and my partner for years now. Every time I'm in a charity or, particularly, vintage clothes shop I look in the leather belts section and have found very many nice, well worn in examples just the right length for an instrument strap. Add pair of leather tabs or a tab and a leather lace in a matching or complementary colour... et voila! Fun to do too.

[mandroid]

+1) DIY is international .. tail to headstock with cordage will get the basic job done..

used leather belts have taken a nice curve to them.

[Ray(T)]

Made my own straps for years ...... until Ivan recommended Pinegrove. Bought one, then another. You'll have one exactly the length you want within a week or so.

The problem with home made straps is getting a piece of leather with the right thickness, strength and flexibility. Personally, I have better things to do nowadays than search charity shops and manufacture second rate straps. Why spend several £hundred/thousand on a mandolin and £1 on a home made strap when the UK has a custom strap maker?

[Ron McMillan]

Made my own straps for years ...... until Ivan recommended Pinegrove. Bought one, then another. You'll have one exactly the length you want within a week or so.

The problem with home made straps is getting a piece of leather with the right thickness, strength and flexibility. Personally, I have better things to do nowadays than search charity shops and manufacture second rate straps. Why spend several £hundred/thousand on a mandolin and £1 on a home made strap when the UK has a custom strap maker?

I understand your sentiments exactly. I never did it to save money. I live in a country where there are no mandolin straps available, so for fun I set out to make some. Although it took me a while to get the techniques and designs right, I now have the pleasure of making straps that friends, including professional mandolin player friends, are very happy with. It's only a hobby, not a business, and I don't think for a moment they are as good as the ones from Pinegrove. But that said, I still don't think 'second rate' would apply.

[Shelagh Moore]

Made my own straps for years ...... until Ivan recommended Pinegrove. Bought one, then another. You'll have one exactly the length you want within a week or so.

The problem with home made straps is getting a piece of leather with the right thickness, strength and flexibility. Personally, I have better things to do nowadays than search charity shops and manufacture second rate straps. Why spend several £hundred/thousand on a mandolin and £1 on a home made strap when the UK has a custom strap maker?

Maybe because it's creative and I enjoy it. Also mending and recycling stuff generally which is one reason I repair what to some might seem worthless instruments. There's nothing second rate about the straps I make either.

[Ray(T)]

Sorry, I wasn't getting at either Ron or Richard - in reality I've no idea what their straps are like and. if you care to read my post again, you'll see that I was commenting on straps I have manufactured.

What I meant was that you're unlikely to find the ideal piece of leather in a charity shop - at least I never have - and unless you have a particular skill (and equipment) for making leather items, you're unlikely to produce a first rate product. The thread starter is looking to buy, not make, a strap and I'm sure he's aware that he could make one if he had the skill and wish to do so.

Personally, I have no desire to get into leatherwork and the straps I have made from leather, bought specifically to make them, are nowhere near as good as those produced by Pinegrove. If you want to get into strap manufacture, go ahead but its unlikely to improve your mandolin playing

[ukrobbiej]

Thank you for all the replies . Useful suggestions about making straps, but as someone who struggles to sew on a button, or put a shelf up, I don't rate my chances. I've contacted Pinegrove who reckon hey can make me one of their guitar straps but in softer leather. I'll see how the one turns out for the mandolin, and of its good I might order one for the octave

I see they are based in Hebden bridge- hope they have recovered from all the flooding over Christmas

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Robbie - Having visited Rod Boyes last year to help him sort out a slight problem he was having in his leather selection,i know how close his home/business is to the canal which burst it's banks. I contacted Rod a few days ago & he's escaped any flooding. However,not too far away from his home,they were inundated. If asked,Rod will try to accomodate any requests for 'variations' in his straps. He's still building up his business,so all orders are appreciated & they're helping to keep in business the only guy i contacted last year actually willing to make a mandolin strap,
Ivan