Well, it has been six months since my original review, and I am now looking for a new strap. My Pete Schmidt is still the most comfortable strap I've owned, and the stretching is no real concern.. My problem, which I stated in my original review below, is the "creaking" sound caused by the soft inside layer of the strap. Although it hasn't gotten louder (at least I don't think so), it has become more and more of a distraction while I play. I just can't keep it from creaking, and like I said, it really comes through a microphone loud and clear.

I really like this strap.  It is certainly the finest banjo strap I've owned.  Hand made with beautiful high-quality leather and excellent craftsmanship.  It comes with a sheepskin lined shoulder pad, but the strap is so comfortable you may not need to use the pad.  It can be configured any one of three ways (check out the website).  I prefer the cradle method, but it also comes with Chicago screws and a pair of hooks.  Unfortunately I have two "complaints" that keep me from giving this beauty a "10."

1. The strap is triple-layered except on both ends where it drops down to two layers.  This makes it more flexible, which probably makes it easier to adjust the length and lace it under the hooks.  But IMO it gives up much of its strength, stretching noticeably with a heavy banjo.  After using it for a couple months I am considering taking it up a notch.  I doubt it will have any impact on its strength, but if so I will return with an update.  I would have preferred three layers for the entire strap.  Minus 1 on the rating.

2. The inner cream colored layer is soft and supple and certainly contributes to the overall comfort.  However, it also causes the strap to "creak" noticeably as it moves under the heel and against the edges of the resonator.  Our band did an outdoor concert recently that was recorded by a video company.  We used an AT4040 microphone, which picks up everything.  Between songs the "creaking" came through loud and clear while standing at the mic introducing the next number.  Maybe it is just nit-picking but it was annoying for me to hear it so clearly.  Minus the second 1 on the rating.

If these things don't bother you then I highly recommend you give this strap a try.  You shouldn't be disappointed.  However for me, if this strap could be had in a fixed length, triple layers from end-to-end, with something "slippery" at the resonator contact points, it would be a perfect 10.  Maybe even a 100.

Sorry for being so long winded.  I just am.

BUT it's time to eat some crow.  Those little bolts are really, really tough.  I always crank the nuts down hard the first time to make sure the mute won't slide off in the middle of a song.  And it doesn't.

Others have reported on the tonal effects.  I'll just add that I can sit up past one in the morning working on that elusive lick, and mama never hears.

One thing though, If I was Mike I might add a very thin layer of cork to the underside of the brass bar that contacts the top of the bridge.  It would make it a little less prone to slide and require less torque on the nut to hold it in place.

UPDATE:  I've been shopping for that very thin layer of cork (to no avail) because the bridge has slipped off more and more frequently.  No thin sheet cork that I can find.  So I tried a strip of Johnson's Waterproof Tape.  Plain old adhesive tape to us old timers.  Voila, no more sliding off.  Try it.