Using Strap on F style

[Bruce Cech]

I have The Loar 520 mandolin. This is an F style but the spacing within the scroll is very tight. The only thing I can use for the strap is a leather lace. Really don't like the looks of that because it's such a thin piece compared to the size of the strap.

Thinking about putting a strap button on the heal. I've installed strap buttons before on guitars and an A style mandolin so I have no problems technically.

Just wondering what you guys think. Comments?

[Mike Arakelian]

For another option, take a look at the straps made by Alan Gelman of Mandolin Straps of Montana (nfi). His workmanship is outstanding, and with his color and design options, you're sure to find a good fit with your particular mandolin. Alan uses a thin braided strap that fits beneath the strings and above the nut to hold the mandolin...works equally well with either an A or F style.
www.mandolinstrapsofmontana.com.

[FLATROCK HILL]

Install a strap button on an F-style mandolin??? No way I would ever do that.
There are plenty of soft, thin, good-looking leather straps that will work with your scroll. Keep looking.

[hatta]

The strap I use has a broad strap, with a thin leather loop at the end to go through the scroll. Just take whatever strap you're using, tie your bootlace in a loop at the end, and you're good to go.

[Chris Daniels]

Find a local leather smith and have them skive your strap where it goes through the scroll. When I upgraded to my LM500, which has the same tight scroll, I didn't want to replace the handmade strap I have so I skived it myself on the flesh side with a utility knife blade held at a very flat angle. Took me a little while because I was being careful but an expert would make short work of it. Make sure you have your mando nearby so you can test the fit until its perfect.

[Kevin Shoup]

The dudette fit my 520

[Mandoplumb]

Why buy a mandolin with the fancy strap connection and then put 2dollar button on it?

[alistair2511]

You should never have a strap button on an F5. Why don't you loop the strap through behind the strings next to the tuners and stick the whole strap through the loop created there? I sometimes do that. You get a better balance but it doesn't look as cool as putting it round the scroll.

[JonZ]

You should never have a strap button on an F5. Why don't you loop the strap through behind the strings next to the tuners and stick the whole strap through the loop created there? I sometimes do that. You get a better balance but it doesn't look as cool as putting it round the scroll.

Bingo! Strap around scroll emperor has no clothes. Headstock all the way.

[F-2 Dave]

If you want a strap button on your F style, then do it. It's your mandolin.

[Ivan Kelsall]

From the OP - " The only thing I can use for the strap is a leather lace." You mean like this guy ?. I used one for a while & it was fine. My problem was that i couldn't find a piece of lace long enough,i had to tie 2 pieces together = not elegant at all,but it did work fine,
Ivan

[Bruce Cech]

Thanks for all the replies. Pretty much thought it was a bad idea. I have another strap that is leather and only about 3/4" wide. Tied a loop on one end (actually using a round shoe lace). That fits nicely on the scroll and with the narrow strap it looks pretty good. The first strap (that generated the initial question) was a guitar strap and it was about 2 1/2" wide. That one just did not look right.