Re: Straps for Vintage Mandolins
For my 19th-century mandolins and guitars I just buy several feet of leather lacing at a craft store, and tie it around the headstock just above the nut, and around the tailpiece (or the guitar end pin).
For banjos, I often get a cloth strip and tie it around the brackets.
I don't see many pictures of players from that era using mandolin straps; most of the pics seem to show them sitting down. However, I find straps useful even when seated, just to aid in properly positioning the instrument.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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