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Originally posted by TaterHead

As the subject says.. anyone know of a cradle strap that fits the MM-150? I don't like the idea of hanging the banjo by the tension hooks. I have a Deering cradle strap that Deering thought would fit, but it doesn't. Before buying a few more trial an error 'experiments', I thought I'd ask around...

If all else fails, then I'll go the paracord route...

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Get some Mule Tape online or from a Lineman in your area. It fits thru most banjo lug space and you can super glue it easily to make one continuous strap or make two loops and put some other strap into the loops. They use it to pull heavy wire thru conduit, it will hold your biggest banjo no problem.

Check Lakota cradle strap for your banjo.

How to Make a Good Cradle Strap for Any Banjo

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

- Cut a length of ~2" seat-belt webbing, ~47" long, enough to reach from hook over shoulder to hook.
- Stitch a longer length of soft/fine weave 3/4" - 1" webbing, ~87" long, to the center of the seat-belt webbing that is long enough to go over the shoulder, thru the hooks under the banjo, 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, centered, to the full length of the wide strap.
- Lightly 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.

I'm hoping something off the shelf will work - I wrote to Lakota just now, although their website offers a Catch-22 ... "make sure the strap will fit before you buy one". So, says I, I will just hold this here invisible unpurchased strap up to my banjo to see if it fits and then I'll buy one. LOL!

I can use paracord to create a cradle that'll clip onto a Neotech synthetic banjo strap and be happy, and have done that before. But I was hoping to find a professionally made strap that already fits the MM-150 banjo ...

quote:

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Originally posted by TaterHead

I'm hoping something off the shelf will work - I wrote to Lakota just now, although their website offers a Catch-22 ... "make sure the strap will fit before you buy one". So, says I, I will just hold this here invisible unpurchased strap up to my banjo to see if it fits and then I'll buy one. LOL!

I can use paracord to create a cradle that'll clip onto a Neotech synthetic banjo strap and be happy, and have done that before. But I was hoping to find a professionally made strap that already fits the MM-150 banjo ...

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Paracord will dig in to your neck, shoulders. 

I have a gold tone open back with the same brackets (but the flat hooks). I have Lakota cradle straps on my other banjos.

I had to get the gold tone cloth strap, as there’s like no room under the hooks.

I’m not even sure a Lakota non-cradle will work, if the hook tabs are as wide as the cradle strip.

A cloth cradle strap from Gold Tone? Sounds perfect… I’ll check into that Monday morning when they’re open! Thanks!

I'm new here at the suggestion of a friend, who is an avid banjo player/builder. I recently made a customer leather cradle strap for his Great Lakes open back banjo and it was a perfect match. It's a very simple strap, but perfect for banjos under say 7 lbs. Message me if interested. 

... I just found a leather cradle strap at banjo teacher made by LS Leather that _specifically lists_ the MM-150 banjo as one that it fits on (and claims to fit all Gold Tone open back banjos)! Got one ordered... the only downside to a cradle strap, AFAIK, is that it's not easily detachable, which means it needs to fit in the case while attached to the banjo. I think I can fold the strap towards the back of the banjo, where it's hollow, then stuff the strap in. The interior of my (hard) case is squishy-fuzzy (like most), so I think it'll allow it...

PS: I just looked at the leather cradle strap at Gold Tone's website and it looks very similar, and the part number starts with "LS-" ... coincidence? I suspect it's the same strap but branded with "Gold Tone" stamped on it in gold...

Did you ask yourself the question 'what problem is a cradle strap going to solve that a simple strap with loop ends and two sets of chicago screws can't '?

As in this case we're looking at a banjo without a 3 pound, cast bronze flathead tone ring and also without a flange and resonator. A really light weight bsnjo...

I'd consider a cradle strap a massive overkill here.

I agree... except for one thing... tension hooks on a banjo have one purpose. That purpose is to apply tension to the tension ring and thereby to the drumhead. Using the tension hooks in order to connect a strap is not what they were designed for. Yes, it's 50 one way and half a dozen the other.... but I feel better using tension hooks for tension and banjo strap connections somewhere else. Of the various choices, I think the cradle strap is the best one at distributing loads... But yes, I know it's not a heavy banjo so we're really splitting hairs here. I guess it comes down to what makes me feel better about it... 

I make my cradles from 550 nylon twine.

Thanks, Steve. Doing it that way will also allow me to use the quick disconnect buckles that came with my Neotech strap.  Doing so solves a problem that cradle straps have… They cannot be taken off very easily. For example, if the strap doesn't fit in your case with your banjo, then it would be nice to be able to disconnect the strap and take it off. 
 

I noticed that you're weaving your paracord up above and down below tension hooks as you go around the banjo. Does this help in someway? For example, does it keep the banjo from rotating around while it's on your shoulder? 

I simply wanted to not let it touch the tone ring skirt and have the same tone as when not using a strap.
I'm not saying one way is better or worse.I just wanted to do away with anything putting pressure on the ring.

My strap is a $20 BlueNote with wide abs plastic clips.

quote:

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Originally posted by KyRanger

I'm new here at the suggestion of a friend, who is an avid banjo player/builder. I recently made a customer leather cradle strap for his Great Lakes open back banjo and it was a perfect match. It's a very simple strap, but perfect for banjos under say 7 lbs. Message me if interested. 

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Nice job on the custom strap!

Steve… I think mine will end up basically the same as yours, but slightly different in the clip/buckle details. I have a mahogany brown roll of para cord that will look nice on the banjo.

fyi ... the Maple Mountain weighs 6-1/2 pounds. The long neck version, not mine, weighs 7 pounds. 

We use 770 and 550 nylon to build lobster traps.