Strap problems...

[dhergert]

So, I really like the D'Addario/Planet Waves mandolin straps. I have them on both of my F-style mandolins; they are solid, simple, well designed and well made. But over the last few months I've been running into a problem with them:



Yup, my beard gets caught in the slotted end of the strap. It's very distracting while playing a song.

Last time this was happening consistently I trimmed my beard, but I didn't want to do that this time.

Here's how the stock strap attaches to the scroll on an F-style mandolin:

. . . . . . . . . .

So, I decided to try a little simple surgery. A single small slit in the slotted end of the strap would allow a slightly different attachment to the scroll...



This works very nicely. Not only does my beard not get caught in the strap anymore, but the strap is much more solidly attached and there is no sliding back-and-forth movement of the strap.

It's not that I won't ever trim my beard again, but I'll probably wait until it starts getting caught in my belt buckle.

[Ron McMillan]

An elegant solution that prevents the need for arm-lengthening surgery.

[Paul Busman]

I was going to suggest one of those beard covers that they make restaurant kitchen workers wear, but your solution is far better. I'm thinking that non bearded folks might like your idea too since it makes the attachment look a lot neater, with no little leather tab sticking up. Good thinking!

[dhergert]

I did make one change...

After playing with the strap in this configuration for a few hours, I noticed that gravity and playing tension are trying to loosen the loop around the scroll. So I turned the loop upside-down, so gravity and playing tension try to tighten the loop.

Below is the result:

. . . . . .. . . . . .

So now the strap keeps itself tight.

This config would normally place the rough side of the strap out and the smooth side of the strap against me which isn't my preference, so I simply put a 1/2 twist in the strap, It all works nicely.

[Astro]

Just get the girl friend to braid your beard in halves. Tie the end of the left half in a loop around the scroll and wrap the right half around the tail button and secure with a rubber washer. Wala, the beard strap.

[dhergert]

Hmmm, no girlfriend, but my wife could do that though.

However I do think using my beard for a strap would prevent me from spinning the mandolin.

[sblock]

Yours is an elegant solution for the strap you have. Note, however, that there are other models of leather strap for the F-model that have a simple open loop at the end, not a tightening slot through which the strap passes, creating a pinch that will catch your beard hair. A simple large loop will not catch your beard (I speak from experience). The ones from Lakota leather are made from a very soft elkhide. Highly recommended, if you're ever looking for a new strap or get another mandolin (NFI). Here is a picture, so you can see what I mean:

[Dale Ludewig]

I think Don needs a BeardGard.

[AlanN]

Funny thread. And it makes me think of Tull's Aqualung.

[Willie Poole]

A braided strap with a loop end would solve the problem...I see sblock beat me to it...

Willie

[allenhopkins]

Watch out if you're playing into the Gillette microphone...

[MikeEdgerton]

I love it when real world problems can be solved with a little ingenuity.

[dhergert]

Watch out if you're playing into the Gillette microphone...

Hmmm, we use Sennheiser, usually with a wind muff... It's safe, no moving parts. (NFI)

[Dale Ludewig]

I just thought of something. If you keep growing your beard, you could braida strap loop out of your beard! Problem solved.

[dhergert]

Yes, it has been suggested. I'm pretty sure that it would prevent me from spinning my mandolin.

[UsuallyPickin]

Collar buttons always seem to grab me ........

[Mark Wilson]

Do they make a 'beardgard'

[dhergert]

They do, but it makes it really hard to sing, and I don't think my beard sounds any better with it installed

.

[Bertram Henze]

I don't think my beard sounds any better with it installed.

You might need one on a windy stage...

[Paul Busman]

Funny thread. And it makes me think of Tull's Aqualung.

Sitting on a park bench, playing mandolin with bad intent

Aqualung is one of my favorite all time albums.

[Steve Ostrander]

This is why Billy Gibbons plays guitar instead of mandolin