fish1963 - Posted - 12/04/2025:  10:51:40

I recently purchased a 1970's vega banjo. The space for a cradle strap is very narrow so the spare cradle strap I have on hand will not fit ... unless I cut it down.

Any of you know what strap will fit? I prefer the cradle style. Room for the strap is right at 1/2 inch if not at titch less.

Thanks!

pinenut - Posted - 12/04/2025:  10:53:38

This is what I use for any banjo. The instructions are longer than the build.



- Take a length of ~2" seatbelt webbing for the shoulder (long enough to reach from hook over should to hook)

- Stitch a longer length of soft 3/4" - 1" webbing (verify fit) to the seatbelt webbing (long enough to go under the banjo, over the shoulder and tie together) note: bar tack a few inches back from the ends of the wider strap and stitch the edges of the narrow strap to the full length of the wide strap.

- Gently melt the ends of the webbing to prevent fraying. Do not be vigorous about melting the ends; the hard melted plastic is scratchy and inconvenient.

- Add a pad to suit. I have yet to need or want one.

- run the narrow webbing thru the hooks in a cradle fashion

- tie the ends of the narrow webbing together with a square knot.  Simple, yet elegant.

Edited by - pinenut on 12/04/2025 10:59:23

Owen - Posted - 12/04/2025:  11:04:01

I think Steve Davis has posted that he uses paracord for his cradles.  

cow_tools - Posted - 12/04/2025:  11:07:18

My Gold Star banjo has a tube and plate flange that would not allow enough clearance for most cradle straps to fit. Ended up using a Lakota Leathers "Non-Cradle" strap which you loop around a couple hooks of your choice to install. The excess length can either be trimmed or be tucked away inside the pot. Slightly annoying since you need to remove the hooks to loop the strap through them, but if you can't find a cradle strap that fits this is always an option.

Rusty - Posted - 12/04/2025:  11:30:00

deeringbanjos.com/collections/...le-straps

fish1963 - Posted - 12/04/2025:  12:36:32

quote:

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Originally posted by cow_tools

My Gold Star banjo has a tube and plate flange that would not allow enough clearance for most cradle straps to fit. Ended up using a Lakota Leathers "Non-Cradle" strap which you loop around a couple hooks of your choice to install. The excess length can either be trimmed or be tucked away inside the pot. Slightly annoying since you need to remove the hooks to loop the strap through them, but if you can't find a cradle strap that fits this is always an option.

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The Lakota is too wide. It is my spare strap. 

fish1963 - Posted - 12/04/2025:  12:37:52

quote:

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Originally posted by fish1963

quote:

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Originally posted by cow_tools

My Gold Star banjo has a tube and plate flange that would not allow enough clearance for most cradle straps to fit. Ended up using a Lakota Leathers "Non-Cradle" strap which you loop around a couple hooks of your choice to install. The excess length can either be trimmed or be tucked away inside the pot. Slightly annoying since you need to remove the hooks to loop the strap through them, but if you can't find a cradle strap that fits this is always an option.

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The Lakota is too wide. It is my spare strap. 

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Oooops didn't read the whole thing. I'll look at that one. Thanks! 

Culloden - Posted - 12/04/2025:  13:57:19

Both of my 1960s Vega banjos are pretty light. I use a narrow strap with a shoulder pad and use these on the ends. They are designed to modify a guitar strap into a banjo strap. I got mine on eBay but I think Elderly and Bernunzio have them.

 

fish1963 - Posted - 12/04/2025:  19:35:40

quote:

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Originally posted by Culloden

Both of my 1960s Vega banjos are pretty light. I use a narrow strap with a shoulder pad and use these on the ends. They are designed to modify a guitar strap into a banjo strap. I got mine on eBay but I think Elderly and Bernunzio have them.

What narrow strap are you using? Thanks!