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Jan 18, 2025 - 1:43:34 PM

JS1219

USA

30 posts since 9/18/2024

I've got some questions about straps that I can't find good answers for.

What is a cradle strap and what is an alternative?
What kind of strap is best for bluegrass?
Does a strap have to go through multiple hooks if so how many and what hooks should it start at?
Can I use a guitar strap if it doesn't fit in the hooks?
Should I use a leather belt instead of a nylon guitar strap?
What's the difference between wearing the strap over the right or left shoulder?

Thanks
Juan Solo

Jan 18, 2025 - 2:17:47 PM

16361 posts since 12/2/2005

quote:
Originally posted by JS1219

I've got some questions about straps that I can't find good answers for.

What is a cradle strap and what is an alternative?
What kind of strap is best for bluegrass?
Does a strap have to go through multiple hooks if so how many and what hooks should it start at?
Can I use a guitar strap if it doesn't fit in the hooks?
Should I use a leather belt instead of a nylon guitar strap?
What's the difference between wearing the strap over the right or left shoulder?

Thanks
Juan Solo


1) A cradle strap basically goes all the way around the banjo, "cradling" it in support. It essentially goes UNDER the tension hooks from your preferred locations.

2) There is no best. We all have our favorites. But do consider that banjos are heavy, so you want something with some width over should shoulder to help spread the load.

3) See #1. It depends somewhat on your banjo, but many of us like the strap to start going under hooks BELOW the heel of the neck (in playing position) and to go more or less straight down under the tailpiece on the other end.

4) As long as it performs the proper function, sure. But most guitar straps are cut for the distances required for a guitar, not a banjo.

5) Matter of personal taste. Remember, this is all about properly supporting the banjo in a secure and comfortable playing position. Most players use leather, but if you can find a well-functioning strap made out of another substance, that's your business.

6) Assuming you pick with your right hand: the early bluegrassers often wore the strap on the right shoulder so that they didn't have to remove their Stetson hats when they changed instruments. Wearing over your left is far more secure and comfortable.

Jan 18, 2025 - 3:23:16 PM

505 posts since 2/22/2019

Is there any way to keep the strap at the tail end from sitting on the edge of the resonator? Seems like this could cause issues over time.

Jan 18, 2025 - 3:25:12 PM

505 posts since 2/22/2019

quote:
Originally posted by JS1219

I've got some questions about straps that I can't find good answers for.

What is a cradle strap and what is an alternative?
What kind of strap is best for bluegrass?
Does a strap have to go through multiple hooks if so how many and what hooks should it start at?
Can I use a guitar strap if it doesn't fit in the hooks?
Should I use a leather belt instead of a nylon guitar strap?
What's the difference between wearing the strap over the right or left shoulder?

Thanks
Juan Solo


Lakota straps are made of very soft leather without any metal to scratch you banjo. They make cradle and non-cradle straps. 
 

Huber makes a very good leather strap also.   

Edited by - HighLonesomeF5 on 01/18/2025 15:26:04

Jan 18, 2025 - 3:30:21 PM

Owen

Canada

16441 posts since 6/5/2011

Re. "... what hooks should I start at?"   I found that bringing the strap up under the heel allowed, or maybe even forced, the banjo to flip forward.   I "solved" (?) it with some poly web .... see attached pic.  By choosing the down/up holes the angle of the neck is adjustable and it is, for practical purposes, "Look Ma! no hands!"

Some think I'm a fool to use the quick-release buckles, but for me they work well.  I'm not sure what proportion find the forward flip to be a problem. I think Steve Davis's para-cord sling, with one end through a space between neck and pot would work equally as well ... and no quick-release buckles wink.


 

Jan 18, 2025 - 4:15:09 PM

5600 posts since 11/20/2004

I started out using the hook above the neck and the hook above the tailpiece and going over the left shoulder. After 50 years, still do. I use wide leather with no metal buckles and one banjo has a Martin guitar strap, so there are no set rules. Use what works for you.

Jan 18, 2025 - 5:12:08 PM

56 posts since 10/13/2023

quote:
Originally posted by JS1219

I've got some questions about straps that I can't find good answers for.

What is a cradle strap and what is an alternative?

A cradle strap goes under the hooks of your banjo similar to how a belt loops around your pants. The alternative is a non-cradle that you install onto two brackets then tighten the nuts over. I suggest watching Lakota Leathers instructional videos on their banjo straps to get an idea.


What kind of strap is best for bluegrass?

A cradle strap is highly preferable in my opinion. The non-cradle I mentioned forces you to loosen hooks from your banjo to install or remove the strap, whereas a cradle strap doesn't require you to tighten or loosen anything. If your banjo has a two-piece flange a cradle strap may not fit under the hooks though. I learned that the hard way when I ordered one from Lakota Leathers.


Does a strap have to go through multiple hooks if so how many and what hooks should it start at?

The non-cradle strap attaches at two points


Can I use a guitar strap if it doesn't fit in the hooks?

Not recommended


Should I use a leather belt instead of a nylon guitar strap?

On a heavy bluegrass banjo I wouldn't trust a nylon strap to hold up that kind of weight. Good banjos are expensive and deserve a good strap. I find a cheap nylon hook strap to be more than adequate for my lightweight open-back banjo though.


What's the difference between wearing the strap over the right or left shoulder?

Wearing the strap over your right shoulder makes switching instruments easier, for example Earl Scruggs would often switch between his banjo and an acoustic guitar between songs. And not having to remove your hat as someone else mentioned.


Thanks
Juan Solo


Edited by - cow_tools on 01/18/2025 17:14:59

Jan 18, 2025 - 6:05:59 PM
Players Union Member

mrbook

USA

2146 posts since 2/22/2006

I've used most types of straps on banjos over the last 50+ years. For the first 25 years my Harmony resonator model had a woven guitar strap tied to the hooks, which worked and never came close to falling off. My later and better banjos have almost all had leather straps, except for one Webb strap which is nylon webbing with a fabric pad - and quick-release buckles. It has worked great on four different banjos over more than 20 years. I have usually preferred cradle straps, and have used them on banjos with one and two piece flanges as well as banjos with shoe lugs, and they worked great in every case. A couple attach to the brackets, and I have never had to remove a bracket to attach the strap. I doubt I will ever wear any strap out; several are over 20 years old, and I have guitar straps in use for more than 50 years. A good strap may cost a little more than a belt, but it is designed and made to fit the banjo, and I like picking out a nice strap that complements the instrument.

Near the neck my strap is attached or cradled at the second bracket below the treble side of the neck, and at the bottom at the first bracket past the tailpiece, between it and the armrest. It has always been comfortable and solidly attached. I don't know how some players do it with the strap over the right shoulder; I need it over the left, with my head through the strap. Whatever works is best, and you can try both ways. A wider strap can make the banjo feel lighter, and that matters as I get older and my health declines. The important thing is that I take the banjo out of the case, put it over my shoulder, and start playing.

Jan 19, 2025 - 7:15:10 AM

RB3

USA

2259 posts since 4/12/2004

If you play in a band that wears cowboy hats and does a lot of gospel tunes that require you switch back and forth between banjo and guitar, wearing your strap over your left shoulder can be a real hassle.

This is the banjo strap I would suggest you buy: Huber Banjo Strap


 

Jan 19, 2025 - 7:51:05 AM

JS1219

USA

30 posts since 9/18/2024

I have an MB-100 open back. I tried just tying a guitar strap because it would not fit between the hooks, to the 2nd hook on the side of the neck closest to the 1st string, and the other end to the 3rd hook closest to the 1st string. I also tried using paracord that would fit in the hooks in the same spots. In both cases, the neck turns straight to the ground. I tried moving the strap to different hooks but had the same result.
How do I fix this? Do I just have to hold the neck up I thought it would hold itself.

Thanks
Juan Solo

Jan 19, 2025 - 8:18:59 AM

Owen

Canada

16441 posts since 6/5/2011

One solution to the peghead falling/dropping was mentioned a few posts ^^. 

If you attach both ends of the strap to the first hook above (?) the neck [i.e. on the #5/short "G" string side of the neck], does the peghead still drop? 

My limited understanding of the physics (?) involved says that when you change to pivot point [i.e. use different hooks] in relation to the banjo's center of gravity [i.e. pot heavier than peghead??] the result should also change.... though I've never worked my magic [cough. splutter, cough] on an openback... so maybe i'm out past left field.   

If all else fails you can tie a helium balloon to the peghead. devil

Edited by - Owen on 01/19/2025 08:32:45

Jan 19, 2025 - 8:42:06 AM

Owen

Canada

16441 posts since 6/5/2011

Ooops... too late to add an edit ^^. 

As a point of interest where is the balance point on your MB-100?

On both my 8.5 lb. Morgan Monroe [light tone "hoop] and the 13.5  lb. GoldTone [real tone ring] it's about 4.5" from the bridge toward the neck.

Jan 19, 2025 - 4:43:51 PM

JS1219

USA

30 posts since 9/18/2024

How do I test that and how do I use it?

Juan Solo

Jan 19, 2025 - 5:04:44 PM

Owen

Canada

16441 posts since 6/5/2011

I just laid the banjo on a counter, put a broomstick under the pot and moved/rolled  the banjo back and forth until I got a close estimate of it's balance point. 

If neck/peghead is heavier than the pot, the strap attachment I described wouldn't work.  [I've never owned/played an openback... I don't know what's typical.]

Where the strap is attached in relation to the balance point will determine whether the peghead will tend to move up or down.   ... at least according to my limited understanding of the physics (?) involved.

Jan 20, 2025 - 12:06:44 AM

HSmith

UK

609 posts since 12/30/2005

Just a quick word re 'should I wear the banjo over right or left shoulder?'
For many, many years I played banjo with the strap over the right shoulder (I'm right handed). I'd seen photos of many famous players using this method. I noticed that I was raising my right shoulder to counter the weight, but assumed this was normal. However, I developed back and posture issues later in life and I'm convinced this was caused by countless hours of supporting a heavy banjo in this unbalanced manner. I now play with the strap over my left shoulder, and after a period of adjustment I find this much more comfortable.
A Mastertone-type banjo is heavy. Do yourself a favour and ensure that you support that weight in an even, balanced way.

Jan 20, 2025 - 1:05:40 AM

101 posts since 11/21/2021

Cradle straps are certainly worth the the extra cost, but one thing to think about is whether your case is large enough to accommodate its extra width/depth (if there is insufficient space around the resonator and it has to reside above the flange). You don’t want to be detaching the whole strap every time you put it to bed; with a guitar that’s no big deal, but the cradle strap takes a while to attach in my experience.

Jan 20, 2025 - 10:57:11 AM

152 posts since 1/12/2024

A fellow banjo player gave me these little leather thingies to attach a guitar strap to a banjo with Chicago Screws. I believe he made them himself and they are not at all complicated. Works good for me. I don't know why anyone would think otherwise. So that's what I do.  
banjohangout.org/forum/attachm...ID=310276


 

Edited by - BG Banjo on 01/20/2025 10:58:47

Jan 20, 2025 - 11:07:24 AM

heavy5

USA

3317 posts since 11/3/2016

One strap that can chew away on your resonator & take the finish off metal banjo parts is the metal clip on type that usually are part of the colorful cloth cheapo straps .
I've seen these on expensive banjos  no !

Jan 20, 2025 - 12:09:44 PM

JS1219

USA

30 posts since 9/18/2024

I think my neck is heavier than my pot so I tied the strap to the head like a guitar , just a temporary fix until I can get a resonator banjo or a proper cradle strap

Juan Solo

Jan 20, 2025 - 1:20:26 PM

Corwyn

USA

1711 posts since 1/9/2006

I made a couple of these button knot holders, which I permanently tied to my banjo, and then used a guitar strap designed to work with buttons. Easy to take on an off, nothing hard or metallic to scratch the finish.

Next time, I think I will make a couple of Dyneema soft shackles, as I have discovered the wonders of a rope which is stronger than a steel cable of the same size. These are basically a openable loop made of rope, rated in the hundreds of pounds.

Thank you kindly.


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