Anthony S - Posted - 12/17/2025:  11:18:40

hi, folks. I just bought a new banjo strap and it’s great, a monster of a strap, but I’m just realizing i can’t really close the banjo case with the strap still strapped onto the banjo. So this doesn’t work for me. I do like to play with a strap, even if just sitting down and i don’t want to have to go through the hassle of taking off the banjo strap each time i put it in the case and then put it back on when i take it out of the case to practice/play.

Anybody else have this issue?

Any recommendations?

I would prefer to find a non-leather strap that fits my criteria but might consider a leather one if it’s really the best option.

I would imagine that a strap would have to be pretty flexible and soft to be able to bend enough to close the case easily. The strap i just bought is quite substantial and stiff; that’s why i can’t really close the case.

Maybe there is some sort of system that keeps part of the strap on the hooks of the rim but the actual strap easily comes off to lay flat or put in the case pocket?

Thanks for any recommendations, help and advice you can give me.

rigid - Posted - 12/17/2025:  12:00:15

store.banjobenclark.com/produc...or-banjo. These can be removed easily and are comfortable.

Anthony S - Posted - 12/17/2025:  12:09:50

Thanks. But that link didn’t work. What is name of product/strap?

rigid - Posted - 12/17/2025:  12:16:14

Sorry about that. its a Neotech strap. store.banjobenclark.com/produc...for-banjo

banjonz - Posted - 12/17/2025:  12:28:18

quote:

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Originally posted by rigid

Sorry about that. its a Neotech strap. store.banjobenclark.com/produc...for-banjo

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I use a Neotech strap on my Goldstar GF 85. I just wrap it around the pot on top of the flange. It does stick up but is soft enough to bend/flex when I close the lid. No big deal. I like the wider strap because my banjo is 11lbs. Most straps are narrower than the Neotech so will fold round the rim in exactly the same way with no problems.

pinenut - Posted - 12/17/2025:  12:47:59

This is what I use for any banjo and it fits into the case; easy. The instructions are longer than the build.



- Cut a length of ~2" seat-belt webbing long enough to reach from hook over should to hook.

- Stitch a longer length of soft 3/4"- 1" webbing to the seat-belt webbing (long enough to go thru the hooks 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. The webbing does a good job spreading the load; I have yet to need or want a pad.

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

- tie the ends of the narrow webbing together with a square knot.



better than perfect; it's adequate.

Edited by - pinenut on 12/17/2025 13:01:10

Mickhammer - Posted - 12/17/2025:  13:05:42

quote:

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Originally posted by rigid

Sorry about that. its a Neotech strap. store.banjobenclark.com/produc...for-banjo

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I have this too. Lightweight, very comfortable. It's easy to unhook too (the ends stay on the banjo), so you have the option of folding it.

Culloden - Posted - 12/17/2025:  13:10:03

I wrap my straps around the treble side of the pot. I have never had any trouble getting the lids on my cases closed. Most people seem to want to wad the strap in the area by the heel, or extend it along the neck. Then they have trouble shutting the case.

tonygo - Posted - 12/17/2025:  13:25:46

The Lakota straps are very soft and pliable. I get mine inside the pot and it works just fine. I wish I did not have to even do that much work, but I do.

Mark Douglas - Posted - 12/17/2025:  13:26:38

quote:

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Originally posted by pinenut

This is what I use for any banjo and it fits into the case; easy. The instructions are longer than the build.



- Cut a length of ~2" seat-belt webbing long enough to reach from hook over should to hook.

-

- 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.

 

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I would caution anyone against doing this! When you melt the plastic you are releasing some very harmful toxins like styrene, benzene, furans and microparticles. Breathing this could be quite harmful. Don't do it! 

Just do yourself a favor and go with the Neotech strap! It's very comfortable and quite easy to adjust!

Good luck!

Edited by - Mark Douglas on 12/17/2025 13:27:24

Texasbanjo - Posted - 12/17/2025:  14:07:29

I use a cradle strap and the shoulder part (the sheepskin padded part) fits over the top of the banjo. The rest is rolled up and stashed under the heel of the banjo. It all fits easily and closes with no problem. I have a Stelling banjo with the case that came with it. Maybe it's more roomy than a normal hard shell case?

pinenut - Posted - 12/17/2025:  14:43:18

These are neat.  They'd be easy to make and guitar straps are everywhere.  It's designed to act as a button that attaches to the hooks or set it up as a detachable strap cradle.

Use para-cord (small soft cord/shoelace that can handle the load) shaped into a loop with a figure 8 stopper knot and an appropriate nylon/brass/metal washer slid down to the knot. 

Alternatively (sizing for a reliable connection is probably a little tricky) use smaller diameter cord and a small marble or ball bearing for a monkey fist on a loop.

Acoustic/Banjo Adapter Loop  neotechstraps.com/products/aco...amp;_ss=r

Edited by - pinenut on 12/17/2025 14:57:48

Anthony S - Posted - 12/17/2025:  16:07:59

Thanks, everyone. Appreciate it. I decided to go with this one: neotech thin line, black webbing. Neotech - Slimline Banjo Strap, Regular, Black a.co/d/eb8ho24 Thanks.

Jerry Hatrick - Posted - 12/18/2025:  01:33:02

I’ve raised this issue before on here, and I do find it annoying that some high end cases don’t have enough room for a high end strap to remain attached. If you go for a decent cradle strap, which you can’t easily remove each time you put the banjo away, then you risk either damaging the strap or the case itself by forcing the lid down against its will (tolerances). I now have to keep my Stelling in an old Gibson case, the Gibson in a Deering case and the Deering in the Stelling case, and it sure gets confusing, as I never know which instrument I’ve grabbed to go to a gig with. However, I guess there’s more troubles out there in the world at present that we should be worrying about - AI music for a start.

tonygo - Posted - 12/18/2025:  05:24:02

quote:

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Originally posted by Jerry Hatrick

I’ve raised this issue before on here, and I do find it annoying that some high end cases don’t have enough room for a high end strap to remain attached. If you go for a decent cradle strap, which you can’t easily remove each time you put the banjo away, then you risk either damaging the strap or the case itself by forcing the lid down against its will (tolerances). I now have to keep my Stelling in an old Gibson case, the Gibson in a Deering case and the Deering in the Stelling case, and it sure gets confusing, as I never know which instrument I’ve grabbed to go to a gig with. However, I guess there’s more troubles out there in the world at present that we should be worrying about - AI music for a start.

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My Recording King case came apart at the top from putting the strap on top of the finger board on my RK-R80. I glued it back together and learned my lesson.

Eric A - Posted - 12/18/2025:  06:26:35

Sometimes it's the case, not the strap, that is the problem.

RB3 - Posted - 12/18/2025:  06:30:55

Get yourself a leather strap from Huber Banjo. They attach easily to the tension hooks without any additional hardware, and they're easily wrapped around the banjo for storage in the case. I've also added a photo below that shows how a leather strap can be wrapped around the banjo for case storage.

Huber Banjo Strap

Banjo Strap Storage

 

KCJones - Posted - 12/18/2025:  09:04:17

Long Hollow Leather makes the best banjo strap I've seen. I've got a cradle strap from them that fits in a case.

Souldier makes high quality non-leather straps, hand sewn in Michigan.

Badjer - Posted - 12/18/2025:  10:45:32

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

I use a cradle strap and the shoulder part (the sheepskin padded part) fits over the top of the banjo. The rest is rolled up and stashed under the heel of the banjo. It all fits easily and closes with no problem. I have a Stelling banjo with the case that came with it. Maybe it's more roomy than a normal hard shell case?

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I do the same with both a Gibson and a Gold Star. Definitely not just a Stelling thing. Mine are Long Hollow Leather as well. 

Edited by - Badjer on 12/18/2025 10:46:03

The Old Timer - Posted - 12/18/2025:  12:49:39

Another vote for Huber straps, at least for bluegrass resonator banjos. The width of the Huber strap perfectly fills the space between the top of the flange and the top of the tension hoop.

mrbook - Posted - 12/20/2025:  18:47:52

All my straps fit in the case, even the thick Neotech strap and the ones with sheepskin pads. I fold the strap around the edge of the banjo pot or in the area near the neck heel. I have a couple straps with quick-release buckles, and I detach one or both ends to store the straps elsewhere in the case. There always seems to be a little room between the banjo pot and the case sidewalls.

HSmith - Posted - 12/20/2025:  23:53:10

I play an Osborne Chief which came with a Chief strap. It fits into the Calton case exactly as shown in Wayne Clyburn's photo. I've used this strap stowage method with every banjo I've owned and never had a problem. I guess if the strap were very stiff, or perhaps very thick (maybe sheepskin lined?) it could be difficult to fit around the pot so I avoid anything stiff or bulky.

JS1219 - Posted - 12/22/2025:  16:37:18

I have a lakota strap and just wrap it around the pot like RB3 said.

Juan Solo

beegee - Posted - 12/22/2025:  16:38:22

I buy real leather belts, usually braided, and affix with leather tabs to the hooks that will balance the banjo in the position I find comfortable. I buy belts about 1 to 1-1/2”, never have a problem. I double-fold the strap from the tail pieceback to the heel, tucking it on top of the flange.

Andy B - Posted - 12/22/2025:  16:40:53

I use a leather strap called (not surprisingly) The Banjo Strap, which folds around the banjo on top of the flange as in the photo RB3 posted. I have had it for many years so I am not sure if it’s available now.

HowardT - Posted - 12/23/2025:  02:34:01

This is pretty individual to the instrument, strap and case, seems to me. I have a Gold Tone in a case that lets you keep a strap attached and folded easily. But I have a Deering that came with a case that fits snugly around the pot so you can’t keep even the Neotech. I still like the Neotech which clips and unclips easily to the pre-tied end pieces. Easy to fold it and stash it in the boot. Just two cents worth I guess.

mhddist3 - Posted - 01/15/2026:  06:00:39

quote:

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Originally posted by tonygo

The Lakota straps are very soft and pliable. I get mine inside the pot and it works just fine. I wish I did not have to even do that much work, but I do.

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The Lakota straps are Bison leather and the softest, most pliable I have seen anywhere. No problem at all getting them into the case!