Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Strap for a Gibson A2?

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    New York, NY
    Posts
    78

    Default Strap for a Gibson A2?

    Hi all,

    You were so helpful with my gig bag question that I wanted to pose to you all another dilemma I've had for a while.

    I have a lovely Gibson A2 from 1922 that has become my go-to mandolin (though I play live with a different mando with a pickup). While I almost always play the A2 sitting down, it would be nice to have a standing option. However, this is where it gets tricky. The A2 has a strap button on the bottom, but I don't want to install a second one on the heel of the neck. The highest reaches of the fretboard are flush against the instrument, so I cannot loop a strap around there, as some a-style players do.

    This leaves me with wrapping the loop end of a strap around the nut. I have disliked this in the past on other mandolins because the way that the strap angles back towards my body from the nut has a way of getting in the way of the thumb on my fretting hand.

    Any suggestions would be most appreciated!
    Gibson F9 2002
    Gibson A2 1922
    National RM-1
    Kentucky KM-380

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    16

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    For standing up, play with mandolin positioned on the hip. No strap needed. I know it's a round back method but it works for an A2 etc.
    Last edited by JimY; Oct-19-2016 at 1:24pm. Reason: spelling
    Jim Y

  3. #3
    Confused... or?
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Over the Hudson & thru the woods from NYC
    Posts
    2,927

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    I run a loop over the headstock between the tuners (away from the nut), usually between the two Gs on the bass side, and between A & E on the treble side. Keeps the strap clear of my A-1's fretting hand.

    When Sully (of Sully's Straps, NFI but a big +1) recommended this for my slot-head 12-string, I envisioned a built-in string-bender effect from pulling on the strings above the nut, but it really doesn't work that way.
    - Ed

    "Then one day we weren't as young as before
    Our mistakes weren't quite so easy to undo
    But by all those roads, my friend, we've travelled down
    I'm a better man for just the knowin' of you."
    - Ian Tyson

  4. #4
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    7,635

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    I tie my strap about the peghead, but I go between one of the string posts on the treble side. Here's a photo of the idea. I use my strap when sitting down and while standing. I like the security of having my mandolin at the same place on my chest no matter whether standing or sitting.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	gibson oval hole mandolins.jpg 
Views:	439 
Size:	255.7 KB 
ID:	150443

    f-d
    ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

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

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    S.W. Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,507

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    I have a '22 A2 and for the last 20 years or so it has had the strap around the headstock similar to the way Ed and fatdad do it. Keeps it away from the hand and works just fine.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  6. #6

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    Agree with the placement of the strap - simply tie it above the nut, between tuning pegs. I like the Souldier mandolin straps for this, though some don't like the metal buckle parts, it's easy to avoid any finish scratching from these.

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Eureka, CA
    Posts
    65

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    Even though your mandolin does not have a raised fingerboard, you might want to try using a leather shoestring and attaching it under the strings and around the end of fingerboard. You then tie the loop you've created to your strap of choice. This puts that strap placement and mandolin balance pretty close to when using a strap button on the neck heel. It's works better on an A style with a raised fingerboard, but you can still do it on an old Gibson A like yours. I have a 1921 A4 and that's how I do it. I think I saw on one of his videos that Pete Martin does it that way on his old Gibson A model. I also saw that he uses a guitar strap, which can work well. I've found that if I make my loop snug enough around the body that it doesn't slip and end up between the strings and fingerboard. As they say, YMMV.

  8. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    High Peak - UK
    Posts
    4,171

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Strap Fitting1.jpg 
Views:	251 
Size:	308.8 KB 
ID:	150460  

  9. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Ray(T) For This Useful Post:


  10. #9
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,103

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    See old pictures of Homer and Jethro , Mr Burns never used a strap , just tuck your arm
    slightly under the tailpiece.


    With a thinner top (D'jangolin) I use a Mariachi Strap * coming up under and hooking into the Oval soundhole..


    Since Gibsons have a Much thicker top where the sound hole is cut,

    Maybe do a 3D printing project to make one that is able to do similar with that instrument..



    * Classical/Nylon string Guitar players ..

    a cool one I saw in the film Desperado,
    the plastic hook was in the form of a Little hand Hanging over the sound hole edge.



    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  11. #10
    Gibson F5L Gibson A5L
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    2,526
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    I use a leather shoelace under the strings at the headstock and looped over the endpin. I wear it over one shoulder but it can be worn over shoulder and head if you prefer. I put a strap pin into my more modern "A" but couldn't bring myself to pit a pin in my older snakehead....... R/
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

  12. #11
    Registered User Kalasinar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Kent, England
    Posts
    150

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    I'm another one for putting the loop of a strap under the strings on the headstock between tuning pegs... mostly because my Eastman lacks enough space for the loop under the strings where the nut is. The strap doesn't get in the way there. I use Souldier straps on both my mandolins... they are very nicely made and you can get your own custom one made for you from the options they give on their website. They have a metal or plastic buckle on them as renoyd mentioned, but they've never caused an issue for me.
    Paul Shippey Tone Mandolin
    Paul Hathway Octave Mandola
    Montana Lutherie Ranger Mandolin
    Yamaha Stage Custom Drum Kit

  13. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    New York, NY
    Posts
    78

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    Thanks all! It had never occurred to me to run the loop they the peghead, but that sounds like the perfect fix.

    Kalasinar, thanks I'll check out Souldier straps.

    Anybody else got a favorite strap? Lakota?
    Gibson F9 2002
    Gibson A2 1922
    National RM-1
    Kentucky KM-380

  14. #13
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    3,858

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    Quote Originally Posted by digitalshrub View Post
    Anybody else got a favorite strap? Lakota?
    I like the Long Hollow Softy, which I have attached above the nut on my Gibson A.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  15. The following members say thank you to pheffernan for this post:

    Kris N 

  16. #14
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,103

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    Another option: mid way out on the head stock , so a Bit further away from right behind the Nut.
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  17. #15
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    2,239
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    I like a flat leather strap with the hole on one end of the strap on the end pin and the other tied over the truss rod cover (under the strings above the nut) using a nice leather lace to connect to the strap end. Lakota Leathers sells a nice flat strap for $25. Very soft and will last a lifetime!
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  18. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Spokane, WA
    Posts
    63

    Default Re: Strap for a Gibson A2?

    Just got a Gibson A. This technique works nicely. Thanks.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •