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jwstahl - Posted - 08/30/2008: 04:26:17
Folks,
What strap(s) do you prefer for dobro?
I've tried every gimmick strap for banjo, but nothing feels as good to me as plain leather - after it's broken in, of course. I'm a dobro rookie, but I understand that a dobro strap must function slightly differently than a banjo strap.
Several folks have advised me to get a Webb. What do you think?
Thanks,
John
MitchC - Posted - 08/30/2008: 05:57:40
Hey John,
I personally use the Webb leather straps. The top 2 or 3 may be Poff (if you can find one), the Webb, but also check out straps by Martin Gross. I may get one of his soon also.
Good luck ! Let us know what you end up with.
Larry_Waisner - Posted - 08/30/2008: 07:03:29
Long Hollow Leather Company, makes some good heavy duty reso straps.
Regard's...........
Larry Waisner
"The LORD Works In Wonderful Way''s"
joeyd - Posted - 08/31/2008: 09:42:12
Do yourself a favor and check out Sully sullysstraps.com. Can't imagine where you could go wrong with one of his.
DougB - Posted - 08/31/2008: 11:40:27
I have 2 Bobby Poff straps and think they are the best. That being said the Martin Gross straps are also high quality. I can say with confidence that straps make a deffinate difference while playing standing up as I have tried many and will always be a Poff backer. Pickngrin, D.
Kevin B - Posted - 09/13/2008: 09:00:30
I have always used this real common Levy's strap. I've never needed the snap on amplification gismo though.firstqualitymusic.com/itemdeta...RG&catid={5103B6F0-1FC0-4918-85C8-3B69089A9F57}
Kevin - "Possum, it''s what''s for dinner."
jslides46 - Posted - 09/13/2008: 19:13:57
I like the Web fabric straps myself, lightweight, soft backing, very adjustable,comfortable....
I am sure you'll find something that will work.
just Bill - Posted - 09/14/2008: 09:24:23
Like Kevin, I also have a Levy strap. I liked everything about it EXCEPT the width of the strap at the peg head end. The leather is too wide to fit between tuning knobs on the peghead. (I don't have a slotted peg head.) Since the strap (very nice quality, I might add) is multiple layers and stitched all around the strap, I was worried if I trimmed the leather on the peg head end, the whole thing would come undone because the stitching would be missing.
Well, I carefully took a pair of scissors to the peg head end of the strap and trimmed its width down so it fits quite nicely now. The leather layers didn't come loose--it seems the layers were glued quite well. As a result, I am now quite happy with with Levy strap. The trim job with the scissors looks just fine, too. 
I think you can find various straps at janetdavismusic.com I think the Levy runs about $35 and the Webb's run $45 and $55 there.
Bill
Proud to be a "MURPHY HENRY-ITE"
"If you ain''t different, you ain''t normal!"
Bradskey - Posted - 09/14/2008: 12:59:58
I have a Levy's strap, had no problem with it fitting the headstock of my GT Beard. The leather is actually pretty soft/pliable new, as opposed to my Dogwood strap on my banjo that has the stiffness of a new western leather belt.
just Bill - Posted - 09/14/2008: 14:10:42
Howdy, Brad
The Levy strap I have is 1 inch wide at the peg head end of the strap. The space between my tuners (Dobro DW60S) is a little less than 1 inch. The space between the nut and the first set of tuners is 1 1/2 inch, which would be plenty wide, but I don't like the strap there because it interferes with my hand barring near the nut. So, I attach the strap between the tuners for the 3rd /4th string and 2nd/5th string.
Is your Levy thinner than 1 inch? I've had two Levy's and they were both 1 inch wide at the end. Also, one of them was very soft and pliable and the second was almost as stiff as a new leather belt.
Bill
Proud to be a "MURPHY HENRY-ITE"
"If you ain''t different, you ain''t normal!"
Bradskey - Posted - 09/14/2008: 19:06:36
quote:
Originally posted by just Bill
Howdy, Brad
The Levy strap I have is 1 inch wide at the peg head end of the strap. The space between my tuners (Dobro DW60S) is a little less than 1 inch. The space between the nut and the first set of tuners is 1 1/2 inch, which would be plenty wide, but I don't like the strap there because it interferes with my hand barring near the nut. So, I attach the strap between the tuners for the 3rd /4th string and 2nd/5th string.
Is your Levy thinner than 1 inch? I've had two Levy's and they were both 1 inch wide at the end. Also, one of them was very soft and pliable and the second was almost as stiff as a new leather belt.
Bill
Proud to be a "MURPHY HENRY-ITE"
"If you ain''t different, you ain''t normal!"
Hi Bill. The headstock end of my Levy's strap is just barely over half an inch wide, double-layer stitched leather like yours I imagine. I have it between the top and the middle tuner posts, and there is about 1.25" from post to post on my Gold Tone, which is based on a Beard design. I probably got mine from FQMS, its the suede-backed plain leather strap. I think it might be this one:
firstqualitymusic.com/itemdeta...word=Levy s
just Bill - Posted - 09/14/2008: 19:49:19
Howdy, Brad
Thanks for the info on your Levy strap. How interesting that BOTH of my Levy's are an inch wide! My Levy is now like yours (1/2 inch wide) after I took after it with a pair of scissors! 
Proud to be a "MURPHY HENRY-ITE"
"If you ain''t different, you ain''t normal!"
jwstahl - Posted - 09/15/2008: 04:19:11
Brad,
Give your Dogwood banjo strap a little time, and maybe a little saddle soap - it will eventually feel perfect to you. They do take awhile to break in, but I wouldn't trade mine (~15 years old) for any other.
Thanks to all for the great info.
John
exdmd - Posted - 09/24/2008: 15:31:22
If you can justify $225 for a strap, get a Bobby Poff. Elderly has them in stock. It will last a few lifetimes and nothing else I've tried is as comfortable or stable. Seems like most pro players have at least one, that tells you something. When I bought mine they were only $145 so I feel like I got a bargain:)
saltfork2 - Posted - 12/04/2008: 18:22:32
I just discovered this thread, and wish I would have a few weeks ago. I too bought a Levy's that was also too wide for the peg head. :( I didn't even think about cutting it, so I bought a new one that has a narrow (1/2 inch) strap and FITS!! I was going to give my strap to a friend, but I may now try Bill's technique. Now, if only I could find a way to add duct tape to it...
just Bill - Posted - 12/04/2008: 19:51:20
LOL! Duct tape! ...the "handy man's secret weapon." Yeah!
Bill
Proud to be a "MURPHY HENRY-ITE"
"If you ain''t different, you ain''t normal!"
jwstahl - Posted - 12/05/2008: 17:45:24
Well, I gave the Webb strap a good try, but the nylon webbing on my right forearm never felt comfortable. So, I called Dave Schenck of Dogwood Designs, the guy who did my favorite banjo strap, and he made me a dobro strap. It's great! It took a little baseball glove oil to soften up, but now it's extremely comfortable. Dave's a great guy to deal with also.
I guess I've got a Webb strap for sale.
John
saltfork2 - Posted - 12/12/2008: 20:20:40
An update on the strap cutting and adjustment...Bill, I used your technique and gave the strap a little trim. It now fits like a charm. I then stole a chicago screw from a friend and used that instead of the piece of string that came with the strap. Still no duct tape in the mix, but I suppose what I have now is a much sharper look.
Rachel
just Bill - Posted - 12/13/2008: 04:19:48
Howdy, Rachel
Glad the trimming worked out for you. I like the idea of using a screw instead of the string. I will give that a try and try to resist the urge to use duct tape. 
Bill
Proud to be a "MURPHY HENRY-ITE"
"If you ain''t different, you ain''t normal!"
Arrowsmit - Posted - 12/15/2008: 17:00:38
Has anyone tried the Mystic West strap that FOTW offers on their site?
folkofthewood.com/page627.htm
I just got one today, but it's my first Dobro strap & not sure what to expect.
thnx,
VicW.
kimmattis123 - Posted - 12/17/2008: 06:48:26
leather BULLDOG dobro strap - very well made and it fits in the case
KSM
Longneck - Posted - 01/11/2009: 13:39:56
Hi, all,,, I've been looking for a strap so I looked up this thread. Good ideas and info. One thing I would strongly recommend is to use a threadlock item like Loctite 242 or something similar if you use a Chicago type screw. They do come loose and you could drop your banjo,,, I mean reso. (Don't ask me how I know).
After reading all the posts, I think I'll make my strap out of Duct Tape and trim it to 1/2 inch and use a Chicago screw for that professional look... and some Loctite of course.
Regards,
Zig
Tom Jr. - Posted - 01/12/2009: 07:59:42
I made a strap out of a saddle girth strap (cotton multi-strand), part of a spur strap and a bridle chin strap. the girth is extremely comfortable and wide across my back and bunches up easily over my right forearm unlike leather which seems to give my fingers a little more mobility.
Don''t squat with your spurs on.
schellter - Posted - 03/22/2009: 15:42:14
I have never played with a strap but I fashioned one out of a piece of nylon cord to get an idea of the length I might need and my impression was that is hard to get my left hand up the neck past the 12th or maybe 14th frets, my stomach gets in the way. Is this a common problem and is there a solution?
Thanks
Edited by - schellter on 03/22/2009 16:45:09
jaykellogg - Posted - 03/22/2009: 16:08:42
My Levy strap is 5/8" wide at the peghead end. It fit perfectly. I think they are very well mde straps and priced right also. the only thing I had to do is enlarge the hole at the guitar body end. My Dobro is a Beard Vintage R and has the Beard strap disconnect which requires a larger hole.
W. Jay Kellogg
harperk31794 - Posted - 03/24/2009: 12:13:25
I make my own straps, been leather working for several years, I've made a couple for folks out here, they aren't as popular as the Bobby Poff Straps, but they aren't as expensive either. Here is one I made for Jim in Australia. Contract me if you're interested.
Ken
IFKAD, So Easy a Caveman can do it.
harperk31794 - Posted - 03/24/2009: 12:16:47
Woops,
Pictures didn't work, if this doesn't work they are on my member page in my photo album.
IFKAD, So Easy a Caveman can do it.
Arrowsmit - Posted - 03/25/2009: 14:09:08
I just got a new Martin Gross strap it's da bomb!
Vic
The more I learn about playing this crazy thing the more I realize how very little I know about it...
