F-Style Strap Solution

[Doug Freeman]

Searched for this on MC and couldn't find it, so I thought I'd offer up this strap solution a buddy showed me recently. I like it because it doesn't cover or up—or put any finish wear on—the front of the scroll. It's almost invisible from the front, and hangs nicely this way too. You just trim a sliver of leather from the strap end, roll the end over it and back a half inch or so, apply glue on all the inside surfaces, and clamp it up tightly just behind the roll. You need to make the roll big enough to hold the strap securely between the inner bindings of the front of the scroll. Clean up glue squeeze-out after clamping, and any hardening of the the leather edges from the dried glue can be scraped and softened up so it doesn't harm the binding or finish inside the scroll. Works great.

[DHopkins]

That's neat. It might work on my Gibson but it won't work on my Breedloves. The Breedlove stylized scroll is open and is actually not really a scroll.

[Steve Ostrander]

So, as one Breedlove owner to another I'll ask: what do you use on your FF? Do you have a trick for hanging the strap on the non-scroll? I just loop the strap around the horn on my American FF and hope it doesn't slide off.

[DHopkins]

That's pretty much what I do. The loop is a half-inch wide leather strap and it's either deer or elk (I can't remember which) because they're softer leather. That tan piece is a leather shoe lace. I soaked it in water, tied it in an ultra-simple knot and let it dry. It hasn't moved in 2 years.

The second pic is from the back.

[Ivan Kelsall]

It does look 'neat' for sure,but i'd be a bit uncertain that it wouldn't slide out of the scroll & dump the mandolin on the floor. I've used a 'standard' strap for my Weber for close to 11 years now & it shows no sign of wear at all. As long as the leather touching the mandolin is softer than the finish,it should be fine for decades,
Ivan

[billkilpatrick]

Yes, very neat and compact. But like Ivan, I'd be worried about it slipping out one day. I prefer a flat strap as well. Braided straps look great - big-time rawhide appeal - but dig into my neck and shoulder.

[Timbofood]

Once again,"Hartz Mountain small dog leash". Clip the hook off and save for another project. Cut a slit in the cut end just large enough to to work it over the end pin.
They are cheap, last for years, and can be gotten at any pet store or many grocery stores.