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| Moderated by: Richard Hefner | Page: 1 2   |
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| Strap Button Placement - Beginner Questions - Ukulele - Ukulele - ezFolk Forums | |||||||||||||||
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Robbieh Approved
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Hey all--brand new to all of this. I've played piano my whole life but am learning the uke so I have an instrument I can take with me places. This is probably a dumb first question, but I have to post according to the rules and it's been bothering me. Where does the second strap button attach to the uke? I have one button on the bottom where I would expect it but when I ordered a strap it needs two buttons to attach. Where would I place the second button, or is there a better strap out there that only needs one button? Right now I have a shoelace tied through the second hole and it goes around the neck. Ugly, but it works. Thanks, Robbie
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Will Approved 
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Robbieh wrote:Hey all--brand new to all of this. I've played piano my whole life but am learning the uke so I have an instrument I can take with me places. The way you have installed the uke strap is the correct way to do it; tie the shoelace to the headstock between the 2 sets of tuning pegs, so that it isn't too close to the nut, where it might interefere with your fret hand. A uke is too small to attach a second strap button to the heel of the neck, in the way that it would be done for a much larger instrument such as a guitar. I usually use leather mandolin straps, which are shorter and thinner and fit better on the uke than a guitar strap.
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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Philj200 Approved 
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Forgive my flippiness... but I'm still thinking about attaching a shoulder strap to a piano.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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Will Approved
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I know a band leader from downstate Illinois named Bill Robinson, who straps his hammered dulcimer around his waist and plays the instrument standing up: http://www.billrobinson-dulcimer.com/ 
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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Philj200 Approved
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Will, that is an amazing photo! That man must be incredibly strong or have terrible back problems. My orchestra leader plays the hammered dulcimer and I've helped carry his gear. The balance and weight of that instrument is not insignificant. Standing and playing with that around your waist has to be an ordeal. I've copied and sent the pix to him. And oddly enough, we were talking about how he could play and stand, since everytime he has to give us direction he stands.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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Will Approved
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I heard recently that Bill Robinson has gone back to using a stand, because the weight of the hammered dulcimer was giving him back problems. He also uses unusual flexible aluminum alloy hammers instead of the usual rigid wooden ones. I have had the pleasure to have jammed a few times with Bill Robinson, who is an extremely talented musician, and fine gentlemen. Back around 2000, I took my autoharp (the only stringed instrument I could play at that time) out to the Fox Valley Music Festival, and I chanced upon Bill and members of his musical group, but without knowing who they were (they were the main musical act at that festival stage, practicing on the sidelines before their late afternoon gig). They were nice enough to let me join them while they practiced. Two years ago during Strawberry Fest in Long Grove during, Bill was playing a gig at one of the gift shops and he invited Ron Novit, John Daugherty, and me (part of Loose Change & Friends) to jam with him during his gig slot. Last edited on Wed May 21st, 2008 05:50 pm by Will ____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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Philj200 Approved
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I sent the pix to my orchestra leader. When I see him next, I mention that Mister Robinson has gone back to using a stand. My friend uses wooden hammers. At least that's all I remember seeing him use. And carries a number of pairs of differing weight. I'll ask if he has experienced metal hammers. Do you know if it affect the tone or the volume? A new generation of hammered dulcimer are out now with foot pedals similar to piano for damping and I believe even more sustain. Such an instrument could not conveniently be played standing up. Even Jerry Lee Lewis has to go through contortions to reach the pedals while hammering (pun intended) out Great Balls of Fire, standing. Knowing a person as Bill Robinson is a treasured thing.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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hrlarson Approved 
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I put my one strap button on the backside directly under the neck. I then put both ends of the strap through the same button. This way I can hold my ukulele rather upright and high for ease of play. Looks ugly, but hey.
____________________ I'm not addicted. I can stop playing anytime I want. |
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Philj200 Approved
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On a very similar subject, what you attach to the strap button is just as important as tonight's catastrophe brought home to me. I play at a weekly jam. We lost our acoustic site for the summer and were able to negotiate the use of empty warehouse. No one lives close by. Noise not a problem. Everyone started to come ampeds to the gills. Me too. I have only one electric guitar, a 1957 Gibson ES175, with a small 40W Ampeg Rocket amp. Vintage and wonderful stuff. In the middle of a Grateful Dead set, the strap popped off the base plate button. The guitar pendulumed to the floor (concrete) and hit right on the quarter inch connector. The guitar works fine, but the wood around the connection on the guitar is badly cracked and partially caved in. This will be a bear to fix. So place your strap buttons well. And get the most secure strap you can afford. I have owned the guitar since the mid-60's. This damage hurts a lot.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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Will Approved
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Philj200 wrote: On a very similar subject, what you attach to the strap button is just as important as tonight's catastrophe brought home to me. At the local all-acoustic jam, I've seen the horror of a vintage guitar falling to the floor when a strap button or strap gave way (this happened about 3 years ago, in the middle of a large song circle; the unfortunate victim was playing his vintage guitar standing up, and either the strap end button popped out, causing the guitar to hit the bare wooden floor with a bang; I still remember the collective gasps uttered by the group when it happened.) Our jam allows any kind of acoustic instrument or musical style, but forbids any amplification.
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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TomHB Approved 
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I've never had a strap button actually pull out of a guitar, but I did almost drop my Tele when I didn't have the strap fully over the bottom button (luckily, I had a good grip on the neck and saved it). I found very cheap and easy solution a while back in a local shop. Just put your strap over the button, and then place this cheap clip on the button, and twist to lock: http://www.zzounds.com/item--DNP7007SI They work great!
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Philj200 Approved
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Sorry if I hijacked this thread. But straps and buttons are closely related. The damage to my guitar is servere but not terminal. What it does to the value is mute since I will never sell it. Wood has to be replaced. I'm looking for luthier with better skills than I. The electroncis are okay. Old stuff seems to be more robust. Last edited on Thu May 22nd, 2008 07:50 pm by Philj200 ____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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hrlarson Approved
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Phil, it hurts hearing about your strap button mishap. But this, unfortunately not so uncommon, kind of catastrophe is more an issue for heavy instruments as guitars. It would take a fierce batting of the ukulele if a broken strap would send it plummetting out of your hands. Still. Good thing that vintage instruments are robust enough to survive a fall like this.
____________________ I'm not addicted. I can stop playing anytime I want. |
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Philj200 Approved
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That's true. A thinner skinner, cheaper wood... and I'd be in the toothpick business. But it is a heartache. This is about the only time in my life I would have wanted a Gibson SG or Fender Strat. But ... Added an hour or so later... Here's my plan: (Assuming I can't find a luthier I trust.) Find out what the side of the guitar is made of. I think rosewood, but I'll make sure. Get some. StewMac sells patching wood. Cut out the damage. Fit a patch. Sand, stain and varnish. This will happen in stages. Figure a lot of work is shaping up. Still have to figure how to fit the patch without it dropping into the body. Probably first glue a few cleats inside the hole. Seems to make sense. Damn but I wish I didn't have to do this. Last edited on Thu May 22nd, 2008 10:40 pm by Philj200 ____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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Robbieh Approved
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Thanks for the replies. I've never thought about strapping my piano, but I'll look into it.javascript:emoticon(' ',%20'images/emoticons/tongue.gif')Sorry to hear about dropped instruments. If something happened to my piano I'd be heartbroken. I'm looking around for a good mandolin strap. Does anyone have a favorite that can be ordered online? The local music store doesn't have any. Thanks, Robbie
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Will Approved
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Robbieh wrote: Thanks for the replies. I've never thought about strapping my piano, but I'll look into it.javascript:emoticon(' I really like the Planet Waves mandolin strap. It's 3/4 wide leather (comes in several colors), and it's sueded on one side so it won't slide off your shoulder. It's just the right size for ukuleles. There are several holes at the end (not visible in the photos below) that allow you to adjust the length of the strap. I have them on my tenor ukes and my mandolins. They cost about $12 or $13: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Planet-Waves-Leather-Mandolin-Strap?sku=365214  
____________________ Will http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/297/ Loose Change & Friends http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/245/ http://loosechangeandfriends.com The Earth Tones http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/337/ A Bunch Of Coconuts http://abunchofcoconuts.com |
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hrlarson Approved
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I use an ordinary guitar strap.
____________________ I'm not addicted. I can stop playing anytime I want. |
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Philj200 Approved
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hrlarson wrote: I use an ordinary guitar strap. So did I. Now I'm considering pop-rivets in my sholdier and a groupier to crounch under the guitar.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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hrlarson Approved
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I guess a huge pillow to rest the instrument on would do the job as well. And when touring you've got the travel bed problem solved at the same time.
____________________ I'm not addicted. I can stop playing anytime I want. |
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Philj200 Approved
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A working musician can write off damage as a cost doing business. And guitars are tools of the trade. But that's not me. I play for the love of it. All my instruments are cherished... even the majority of them which are let's say... not valuable (except to me). In the next day or so, I start a thread on the rebirth of my guitar. In the meantime I've found some interesting facts: From Gibson: My guitar was made in 1963. Not earlier as I believed. But that's okay. It is indeed mahogany back and sides. I was not 100% sure. Now I am. They will fix the guitar but do not sell parts and materials. Figure more $ than I can afford. StewMac was and is a jillion percent helpful. I've ordered the nitrocellulose spray for refinishing the mahogany. A book of techniques to brush up my skills and a special clamp for holding the patch in place while the glue dries. I've learned tht the last luthier I trusted lied to me. I once had a bridge break on an old Gibson guitar and was told that only thebridgemaker at Gibson can make a new one and it would take forever if he agress to do it. And cost whatever he cares to peg the price at. Horse hokey! I found Gibson bridges available and the one I needed then on sale for $40! The only thing stopping me from starting is a thin piece of mahogany. 1/8" by 3x5." Grrrrrr.... I can by wood that thin from StewMac but I have to buy an entire side section. Expensive and wasteful. I can buy blocks of mahogany but also expensive and wasteful. Anybody have a piece of mahaogany to sell or trade or give away? Please.
____________________ My MP3 Section: http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/1143/ My Myspace area: http://myspace.com/philj200 |
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