Sample Straps

Strap Samples

Left to right: Small Guitar Strap, Guitar or Banjo Strap, and Dobro Strap.

Sample Lacing

Lacing samples

Top: Banjo, Guitar and Dobro lacing; Bottom: Small Guitar and Mandolin lacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'd like a custom made strap. How do I measure the length I need?
Hold your instrument in your normal playing position while standing.  Have another person hold a flexible tape measure on (NOT AROUND) the headstock, heel button, or top of the scroll (whichever point you want to fasten to).  Run the tape measure up around your playing shoulder, and down to the end button. Banjo measurements should be taken from the bracket bolt closest to the neck to one closest to the tailpiece that you want to fasten to

--- OR ---

you can just measure your current strap and describe that measurement to me.
How is the length adjusted?
The length is adjusted simply by taking in or letting out the heavy duty leather lacing through the six pairs of lacing holes.  There are no knots to tie or come untied.  Once adjusted, the leather will not slip through the holes, regardless of the weight of the instrument.
Can you make a strap that fastens directly to the end button on a guitar or mandolin without the adjustment lacing and leather tab on that end?
Sure, I've made a lot of them this way. I'd need a length measurement as described above. However, the lacing and leather tab design practically eliminates any chance of your strap popping off of the end button if you do a lot of moving around when you play.
Can the strap be safely stored in the case?
Although lots of players keep their straps in the case without a problem, most instrument builders recommend not storing the instrument in contact with any strap - leather or vinyl. Besides possible color bleeding onto the finish, keep in mind that under certain conditions (playing outside in damp or very humid conditions) any leather strap may possibly absorb moisture. Whatever strap you use, make sure it is dry before storing it in the case with your instrument for an extended period of time. And NEVER let dew get on or in your case at an outside jam.

I have sold literally hundreds of my new straps made from the highest quality veg tanned leather available and have had only two instances of some slight bleed-over into the finish.  Both occurrences happened on factory fresh Martin guitars. I did a little research and found that it can take 6 months or more for some instrument finishes to fully cure. If your sweetheart still smells like lacquer, take off the strap when you're not picking!

As far as the vintage straps, the leather is old and aged to start with and I use only "Leather New" brand liquid glycerin saddle soap to do the cleaning, which usually is several applications with serious scrubbing going on. After the leather thoroughly dries, I work in a few applications of pure Neatsfoot Oil. Both of those could be spilled on the finish and do no harm. However, some of the vintage leather that I use could have originally been dyed and I recommend that the straps not be in contact with the finish when the instrument is being stored.
Do you do tooling work or put names on straps?
Nope, sorry. I've decided not to get involved with doing tooling work. But occasionally I have a nice original hand tooled vintage strap for sale.
Does the leather need to be treated with anything?
Not really, but an occasional wiping with Neatsfoot Oil will help restore the original appearance and preserve and soften the leather. Each strap I make gets a hand-rubbed Neatsfoot Oil treatment before I send it out.