How To Put A Strap On A Banjo

Discussion Forum

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Roy_L_Flush - Posted - 03/03/2012: 20:03:14

OK,you have a really cool (or really EXPENSIVE) guitar strap that you would LOVE on your banjo?

SIMPLE!!!

Go buy two(2) Martin Button straps and put the guitar strap on,NO drilling,NO scratching the finish,NO loosening brackets.It is done in less than 5 minutes!

Put the Martin button straps through the holes on the strap ends and put it through the brackets at whatever point is comfortable,button them up and you're ready to go.

Fathand - Posted - 03/03/2012: 21:05:01

I don't know what a Martin button strap is. How about a picture?

Snowbird - Posted - 03/03/2012: 23:22:01

My banjo has a couple of clip rings on brackets so I bought a banjo strap that had those little snap thingies and that was end of decision for me. I dont know much about guitar straps but I was always under the impression that you just removed the appropriate bracket, slid the bracket through the hole in the strap then put the bracket back on. Seems sorta reasonable to me but maybe I am missing something.

I dont wanna hijack the thread but maybe this is a good spot to ask this. I have seen banjo straps with ties on the ends and I was wondering what sort of knot one uses to secure strap to banjo.

wcstringuy32 - Posted - 03/04/2012: 00:55:32

I use the bracket through strap hole method myself....doesn't seem to do any damage to the rim and doesn't require any additional parts/expense.

JohnGP - Posted - 03/04/2012: 02:49:57

I've generally found the clip-rings to be unreliable,. I've added a couple of long bootlaces or two lengths of nylon cord to a guitar strap and then used it like a cradle strap. Reef knot (? aka square knot in the USA) is as good a knot as any for joining the ends.

5stringpicker2 - Posted - 03/04/2012: 05:45:29

Here it s...

( I )====='----<::)

eagleisland - Posted - 03/04/2012: 06:23:30

I have one of these Martin doohickies on my banjola. It hasn't proven terribly trustworthy; get your strap crossed up pulling the instrument out of the case and the strap can easily disengage from the "button strap."

The banjola is light and not terribly expensive, and I'm cognizant of the problem, so it's no big deal to me. But I would NEVER consider using this system on a full-weight 5-string banjo, and with all due respect to the OP I wouldn't recommend doing so to anyone else.

Snowbird, your post is a little vague as to these "clip rings." I have seen built-in strap attachment points on a number of inexpensive Asian starter banjos. And I have seen the rings fall out of them, strap attached. Nor have I ever seen a strap with snap hooks on which I'd trust the hardware.

IMO, any strap system (regardless of cool factor) that doesn't create a bombproof interface between the strap and the instrument is just begging for heartbreak. Hint: if it's easy for you to hook 'er up, it'll be easy for Murphy (of Murphy's law fame) to let 'er down at 9.8 meters per second squared.

Edited by - eagleisland on 03/04/2012 06:25:19

Fathand - Posted - 03/04/2012: 06:46:09

I saw a girl's snap clip break last summer, she was in the process of sitting down at the time so luckily the banjo landed in her lap.

I will never use that kind after that. I use cradle straps that loop through the hooks and tie under the banjo.

There are lots of holes in the ends so I stitch about 3 of them like a basting stitch and then loop back under the stitches.

There is discussion that that contact of the strap with the rim may mute the banjo so I run the strap above some of the hooks just in case.

quote:

Originally posted by Snowbird

My banjo has a couple of clip rings on brackets so I bought a banjo strap that had those little snap thingies and that was end of decision for me. I dont know much about guitar straps but I was always under the impression that you just removed the appropriate bracket, slid the bracket through the hole in the strap then put the bracket back on. Seems sorta reasonable to me but maybe I am missing something.

I dont wanna hijack the thread but maybe this is a good spot to ask this. I have seen banjo straps with ties on the ends and I was wondering what sort of knot one uses to secure strap to banjo.

Edited by - Fathand on 03/04/2012 06:48:18

bkdraft - Posted - 03/04/2012: 07:15:39

I bought the conchos, longer screws and made my own, just like the Martin ones. Couple of bucks worth of stuff and a little time. works great with my old custom guitar strap.

Snowbird - Posted - 03/04/2012: 08:49:24

eagleisland those built in strap attachment points are what I meant, just couldnt think of an adequate name for them. It never ocurred to me that either the ring could fall out or that the snap clip on the end of the strap could break. I gave the hardware on my setup a good close look this morning and clearly you are correct, it isnt very impressive and it doesnt inspire a whole lot of confidence. So that leaves the cradle style straps (which may or may not mute) and guitar straps attached by skewering with a bracket or by some sort of home made string setup through the end holes? Are those pretty much the main options?

eagleisland - Posted - 03/04/2012: 09:33:50

quote:

Originally posted by Snowbird

eagleisland those built in strap attachment points are what I meant, just couldnt think of an adequate name for them. It never ocurred to me that either the ring could fall out or that the snap clip on the end of the strap could break. I gave the hardware on my setup a good close look this morning and clearly you are correct, it isnt very impressive and it doesnt inspire a whole lot of confidence. So that leaves the cradle style straps (which may or may not mute) and guitar straps attached by skewering with a bracket or by some sort of home made string setup through the end holes? Are those pretty much the main options?

You're not limited to cradle. Personally, I think the rumors of cradle straps "muting" the instrument are made of the same stuff as.. well insert your favorite bogus consipracy theory here. But you can also use a strap that attaches to tension hooks. Several different ways to do this; some people use lacing, and you can also use what are called Chicago Screws - essentially the same idea as a barrel bolt on a somewhat smaller scale. If using this approach, I'd attach one end of the strap just your side of the tailpiece, and the other end just below the neck heel. Given that your banjo has these cheesy strap attachment points, I'd lay odds that it's neck heavy and you'll want the strap to help hold the neck in the correct position relative to your body.

Don Shriner - Posted - 03/04/2012: 17:23:32

I bought leather bootlaces doubled 'em, then I guess "cradled" it against the rim, and tied it to the strap. It's been like that for over 30 years. Only draw back is. it is more or less permanently attached. I never wanted to support the weight of the instrument on a tension bracket. I never really thought about the sacrifice of tone, I guess I'd trade off tone for piece of mind of knowing I won't be playing Air Banjo unexpectedly.

Grip - Posted - 03/05/2012: 06:13:03

That's a great idea, but what doI do then with that ugly Martin strap? :D

Edited by - Grip on 03/05/2012 06:13:38

banjoman56 - Posted - 03/05/2012: 06:35:04

quote:

Originally posted by Grip

That's a great idea, but what doI do then with that ugly Martin strap? :D

Looks like it's gonna cost you $3000.00 for a Martin guitar just so you will be able to use your strap.

Don Shriner - Posted - 03/05/2012: 07:02:16

Good point, Before you go to all the trouble to cradle in a strap, make sure it's a strap you like. I used one of those Martin straps with a Capo pocket for mine those many years ago and it's still on there. I don't really like it but I don't dislike it enough to change it out. I guess I was never much into making a fashion statement. beats bailing twine

cop551 - Posted - 03/06/2012: 00:11:41

I wish the guy who had my banjo before me saw this. Instead he screwed in standard button style guitar studs into the resonator. Now I'm paying to fix the holes left behind. But it is a neat idea using those straps. By the way I love bailing twine. I fixed many things with it. Its kinda like duct tape, but for poor farmers.

wuzapicker - Posted - 03/08/2012: 16:47:57

quote:

Originally posted by wcstringuy32

I use the bracket through strap hole method myself....doesn't seem to do any damage to the rim and doesn't require any additional parts/expense.

Yeah, me too. I've never has my banjo come loose either.

Sultans of Claw - Posted - 03/08/2012: 18:11:48

I like aluminum Chicago, or binding screws whether it's a cradle strap locking onto itself or a guitar style strap attaching to individual brackets.

Sultans of Claw - Posted - 03/08/2012: 18:13:25

Sorry, Skip, just read through your post.

DeanT - Posted - 03/08/2012: 19:52:55

quote:

Originally posted by cop551

I wish the guy who had my banjo before me saw this. Instead he screwed in standard button style guitar studs into the resonator. Now I'm paying to fix the holes left behind. But it is a neat idea using those straps. By the way I love bailing twine. I fixed many things with it. Its kinda like duct tape, but for poor farmers.

I just have to ask. Since they were already there, why not just use a guitar strap with the buttons? I ask, because I own a banjo with guitar strap buttons, configured just like a guitar (one on the neck heal, and one on the resonator below the tailpiece). It's awesome, totally hassle free, solid, perfect balance, the strap installs/removed in about 3 seconds, and I roll it up and throw it in the case pocket... just like my Telecaster strap for the last 30 years. I also get to use my favorite 3" wide guitar strap. Far superior to the expensive cradle strap I bought for my other banjo, it's pain in the a$$ installation, sucky balance, thin and cuts into my shoulder, total hassle to adjust, and hard to fit in the case. Form experience, I see tradition over function, at work here.

pjgblg@aol.com - Posted - 03/10/2012: 08:39:13

Neat, thanks. I've found a mandolin strap I'd love to use on my concert size banjo uke as nearly all banjo straps are too long. I only have to use one of these on the lug, and the strap has a nice, wide, strap that wraps around the headstock.

SocialMisfit - Posted - 03/10/2012: 14:26:22

I just bought a Levy's strap and on my Goodtime I couldn't get it adjusted to my liking without running the 'tails' under the brackets. I didn't notice any difference in the sound.