Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 36

Thread: The best mandolin straps?

  1. #1

    Question The best mandolin straps?

    I have looked online at several different strap options for my daughter and I. I have an F style, and my daughter has an A. As the strap wraps right around the surface finish of the instrument, it seems this would be an area one best not skimp, particularly on a new varnish finish?

    My searching turned up Bailey, Lakota, Sully and Pinegrove as recommended options. Any I'm missing? What are your fav's!? Thanks all for any advice or thoughts!
    Last edited by r0gue; Mar-04-2023 at 7:10am.

  2. #2

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I have two Pinegrove straps. Great quality.
    --

    2021 Eastman MD505
    2000 Master Works hammered dulcimer
    1953 Body

  3. #3
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts
    2,044

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    My F style has a Sully. For A style I use either a Sully or Pinegrove.

    Have also used Lakota and liked them. Both A and F style. If the length works for you they are also a good choice.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
    https://www.facebook.com/LauluAika/
    https://www.lauluaika.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/Longtine-Am...14404553312723

  4. #4

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    [QUOTE=Eric Platt;1897420]My F style has a Sully. For A style I use either a Sully or Pinegrove.

    Hi Friends,
    I have changed to El Dorado straps with all of my mandolins. I find them the most consistently adjustable for performance and recording comfort. They have a nice feature of suede on one side so when it's against clothing the instrument stays put. Or, you can flip it over and let the instrument move a bit more having the smooth side over the shoulder. Hope this helps.

    https://eldoradostraps.com
    Steve Smith

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    821

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    it seems this would be an area one best not skimp, particularly on a new varnish finish
    It's funny that you said that. I've always used pretty cheap straps even though I have a few reasonably nice mandolins.
    I just got a new (to me) Givens F-5 so I was looking to get a better strap for it...so your topic is timely.
    I just ordered one of these - OCHRE handcrafted. They look really good and I like the way the strap loop sits in the scroll (at least in the pictures).

    Good luck in all of your mandolin-related quests!

    Kirk

  6. #6
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Co. Mayo, Ireland
    Posts
    3,569

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

  7. #7
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Nashua NH
    Posts
    838

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    For my A body I use a D'Addario leather mandolin strap with the cord tied around the neck where it joins the body. Or at least I DID until I got my F body. Now my A body doesn't get much play time anymore.

    For my F body I use a Lakota Leather strap. Had to spring for an extra few inches custom length, though.
    Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
    Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)

    And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.

  8. #8

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I have one El Dorado which I really like for the comfort and adjustability and one Bailey which I like for the secure way it holds the endpin and the way it looks. Both of them are leather with no metal or hard plastic so I can store them on the mando with no fear of scratches or dings in the case.

    The El Dorado is linked above. I'll link the Bailey here. Both great straps.
    https://www.thebaileystrap.com/
    Girouard Concert A5
    Girouard Custom A4
    Nordwall Cittern
    Barbi Mandola
    Crump OM-1s Octave
    www.singletonstreet.com

  9. #9
    🎶 Play Pretty 🎶 Greg Connor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    170

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I have been playing music with a fellow that made his living playing mandolin. He has a leather boot lace on most of his mandolins.

    I went to the fabric store and bought some braided strapping for my banjos. My mandolins now have boot laces.

  10. The following members say thank you to Greg Connor for this post:


  11. #10
    Registered User Dave Hicks's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Hoosierlandia
    Posts
    705

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I have one I bought from Elderly nearly 40 years ago. What I like about it is that it has a short leather strip sewed to it that gives a place to park a few picks, so my favorites are always handy. Unfortunately, I don't know the maker.

    I also have a Lakota.

    D.H.

  12. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    High Peak - UK
    Posts
    4,171

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I have several guitar and mandolin straps from Pinegrove but, ultimately, they’re all just strips of leather of variable quality. I’d recommend getting one which didn’t adjust with a buckle.

  13. #12
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    2,239
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    Another who loves Lakota mandolin straps. Soft, quality leather with great craftsmanship. More affordable than some. They function well and hold up.
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  14. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    4,786

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I used one I braided from paracord for a long time. Not hard, very inexpensive, and it’s still in use almost 20 years later (though now on a travel uke). I’ve also used plain old nylon guitar straps with a tie to the headstock. My two main players now have Lakota’s on them, one braided and a solid one piece one that’s I think an inch wide. I use the solid one with a cord tied below the fretboard extension on my Kelley A-5 that’s varnish finished (my current “baby”) and have had no issues with the finish going on 5 years now.

    My wife got me a beautiful F-style strap she bought from a Canadien maker she found on Etsy named Ochre. It’s a really nice quality strap, but designed for F style mandolins. Of course, I forgave her immediately for the mistake, as my A-5 and Rigel 2 point do have F holes and I’ve had F styles in the past, so it can be confusing for those that don’t obsess about this stuff. And, since I really like the straps I’m currently using, I now have an excuse to get a F style again to go with that lovely strap

    Also, I recently decided to get a couple of Italia guitar straps through the classifieds. They’re very nicely (for guitar, way too much strap for a mandolin) made out of lovely, supple leather with a suede underside so they don’t slide around. The only caution I’ll offer is that the holes are cut for smaller traditional acoustic strap buttons, like I have on my Guild D-40. So, it took some trimming to get them to fit over the K and K end pin in my Martin and also the end pin in my McPherson touring, which also has a pickup. I just made them work and am still very happy with them, and they were great to deal with so I’m sure they would have refunded me or adjusted them for me, but it wasn’t worth all that trouble for either of us. Just a note to say that, if you buy from them, which I would recommend, maybe specify in your order if you have a pickup or larger strap button. They’re all made to order, so I’m sure they’d accommodate such a request, though I guess I really shouldn’t speak for them.
    Chuck

  15. #14
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    7,635

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    72" boot laces and a pigtail braid.

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

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

  16. The following members say thank you to fatt-dad for this post:


  17. #15
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Albany NY
    Posts
    2,065

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I like the Lakota Leathers non-braided mandolin straps. They don't cut into my should or leave much of a mark on the instrument.
    Stormy Morning Orchestra

    My YouTube Channel

    "Mean Old Timer, He's got grey hair, Mean Old Timer he just don't care
    Got no compassion, thinks its a sin
    All he does is sit around an play the Mandolin"

  18. #16
    Registered User dwc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Charleston, SC
    Posts
    389

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I really like Sully’s Straps, particularly for an A body mandolin. I tie mine around the end of the fretboard, rather than at the nut or the head, and it works fantastic. He will take measurements and cut it to fit, wherever you wear it.
    Northfield Artist Series F5 (2 bar, Adirondack)

  19. #17

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I like the variety of adjustment possibilities & the padding makes is very comfortable. I also find it easier to take on & off than most straps. I use the over the neck style of wearing a strap. Worn over the shoulder, all straps are easy to get on & off. The price is pretty good, too. There are a lot of straps that are more asthetically pleasing I'll admit, with very high quality leather & such but this one works the best for me, practically.

    https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000EELBQ4?...roduct_details

  20. #18
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Upstate New York
    Posts
    24,807
    Blog Entries
    56

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I am not particular about straps. They are a fun, relatively inexpensive accessory that makes little difference. I certainly have no intention of using the same strap for ever.

    So these days I troll Esty for guitar straps and just get stuff that looks cool. I prefer the thin variety, about an inch thick, maybe an inch and a half.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  21. #19
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    1,985

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I have a kind of bad looking used white sneaker string on one of mine.

    It was never intended to stay on as long as it has.
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

  22. #20
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Forest Grove, Oregon
    Posts
    2,775

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I like this one from the Mandolin Store, https://themandolinstore.com/product...n-strap-brown/. They come in other colors too. I wrap them behind the nut, sometimes over the truss rod cover screws to keep them out of the way of my left hand. I have more than two

    I have others as well, but these just work better, help hold the balance.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

    Arrow Manouche
    Arrow Jazzbo
    Arrow G
    Clark 2 point
    Gibson F5L
    Gibson A-4
    Ratliff CountryBoy A

  23. #21

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I've purchased four Bailey straps over the years and like them all very much. I have the braided classic and round classic. They are all still in use and I'm a satisfied customer. The braided classic is beautiful. The round classic is more smooth and feels better over my neck. I've used leather shoelaces too and don't mind them necessarily, but I like soft, solid and easy to fit in the case.

  24. #22

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    Not sure why these are constantly overlooked: https://www.souldier.us/MANDOLINSTRAP.aspx
    Souldier’s mandolin straps are very comfortable, 1” wide, dozens of cool choices of patterns, don’t slip in length like many do and don’t in any way dig in to your shoulder like so many leather ones do. May sound like an ad, but it’s not, just my experience and I have no connection with the vendor outside of buying some of them. Great design for A or for F.

  25. #23
    Registered User rnjl's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Hudson Valley, New York
    Posts
    369

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    I don't like leather straps and these are practical, customizable, indestructible and come in a color that'll match your mandolin. I have a couple and found the proprietor easy to work with:

    https://www.legacystraps.com/

    NFI.

  26. #24

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    Thanks all, for sharing your thoughts and preferences. Plenty to work with here. Now the hard part. Deciding!

  27. #25
    not a donut Kevin Winn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Portland, OR
    Posts
    735

    Default Re: The best mandolin straps?

    Sully's or Little Satchel (available at Carter's)
    "Keep your hat on, we may end up miles from here..." - Kurt Vonnegut

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
  •