strap for gourd banjo

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Gourd Banjo Owners and Builders

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This group is for anyone who owns or builds Gourd Banjos

142 Members, Created 3/6/2011 -

Administrators: Austin Stovall (owner)

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From Frailinaway on 6/15/2012 3:13:15 PM

I've almost completed my gourd banjo and am anticipating a problem which I'm certain one or more group members can help me with.

My other banjos are open-backs with cradle straps. However, I have no idea how to attach a strap to a gourd banjo. It's not the weight that concerns me. Combining the bulging gourd and my bulging belly is going to create "stability problems" whether I'm sitting or standing.

I plan to create some sort of attachment for the strap on the dowel where it emerges from the tail end of the gourd but need some advice on attaching the 'other end' of the strap. I've considered a guitar strap button placed on the heel but would like to get some input from more experienced folks.

Since my question is specifically about gourd banjos I've posted with this group rather than a builder's forum on the BHO. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

6 Comments
	Strumelia says: 6/15/2012 4:22:29 PM Hi, If this slipping is a big problem, there are two things you can do: First, buy a little roll of rubbery shelf liner from a dollar store, dept. store, or hardware store. Keep a piece in your lap or just lay it around the bottom and back of your gourd when you are just about to play. I find this helps keep it from slipping around, but it doesn't mar the banjo. Just roll the liner up and store it. Second, on my larger rounder gourd, it helped me to attach a long shoelace type string as a strap. One end I attached to the tail dowel, the other end I tied to the peghead- you'll have to figure out where on yours. This string strap is not really essential for me, but I do find it nice to further stabilize the banjo while I'm playing. Try it, you can always just untie the string and remove it. Of the two methods, the rubber shelf liner is the most helpful for me. Good luck!
	Frailinaway says: 6/15/2012 5:45:29 PM Strumelia -- Thank you for the information. I don't know yet whether 'slippage' will be a problem but, just in case, I've already picked up a small roll of the shelf liner. That may be sufficient; if not, I'll experiment with placement and attachment of a strap. Once again, thank you very much!
	Strumelia says: 6/15/2012 6:01:54 PM you are very welcome! :) Maybe others will have good suggestions too.
	flatfootjohnny says: 7/4/2012 3:57:58 PM Hi gourders... Ive only just discovered this group... Fantastic! Ive just finished my third gourd banjo and uploaded a vid of it.
	flatfootjohnny says: 7/4/2012 4:13:57 PM Sorry i was meant to introduce myslef on the main gourd page rather than your entry. Doh! hello :-)
	Frailinaway says: 7/4/2012 5:10:14 PM Strumelia -- as a follow-up to my concern about slippage and your very helpful suggestions, it turns out my worries were groundless. I put the gourd on the inside of my right thigh with the dowell extending over my thigh and everything just kind of 'wedges into place' with no control problems at all! (I use the 'little roll of rubbery shelf liner' you suggested on one section of my work bench; everything works out.) And a hearty 'welcome' to you, flatfootjohnny, regardless of where you put your introduction!
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