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Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap
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Subject: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: thespionage Date: 03 Feb 05 - 10:39 PM Someone told me that I should use a camera strap for my banjo, but the camera straps I see online are tailored too much toward cameras. Where on the Internet would you suggest I look for an adequate camera strap for my banjo? Also: how many of you banjo players have your strap over your right shoulder and how many like a guitar (over the left)? It would be the opposite for lefties, of course. Russ Practitioner of Thespionage |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,banjo on my knee Date: 03 Feb 05 - 11:24 PM good old fashioned dog wallking leads clip to banjo body; loop over headstock |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: DonMeixner Date: 03 Feb 05 - 11:39 PM Hi Russ, I used a camera strap for quite awhile in my banjo and it was the most comfortable strap I ever had on the banjo until I made the strap I currently use. The big drawback was the metal spring hooks I clipped to the brakets on my Ode Long Neck. The transducer would pick up the sound of metal on metal every time I changed instruments. Sound like I was chaging a team of horses in the stage mix. My current strap is made from the liners of two Golds Gym Weightlifters belts I found in a overstock sale at Warehouse 19 5/8 in Natick Mass. This strap is tied to the brackets with leather and it is very comfortable and very quiet. Don |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 04 Feb 05 - 03:42 AM Was in a pawn shop - saw a Piano Acordion with cut up chunks of grey car seat belt strap tied with big messy knots. When looking years ago for straps to tie down my Symphonia so I can play it hard and fast - one around the neck and one around the waist - I ended up with some narrow bright yellow woven plastic adjustable things with minature brass 'dog clips' on both ends - but they were cheap and do the job very well. I think they may have been some sort of camera strap. You really can use anything that fits and is comfortable - but it may not always look so pretty. After all, it's supposed to be the MUSIC that counts... |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Gypsy Date: 04 Feb 05 - 11:09 AM We have a banjo player that uses horse reins.........especially the slit braided ones. Comfortable, and you can cover two banjos with one set! |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,Les B. Date: 04 Feb 05 - 11:48 AM Russ - depends on the weight of the banjo. I have some camera straps with snap hooks that would clip in the banjo brackets, but the snap hooks are not very securely sewn. OK for a light open-back, probably not for a heavy brass resonator. As Gypsy suggests, a visit to a tack shop (Big R here) will give you lots of ideas - there are leather reins, flat braided halter ropes, and snaps galore - all made to control 1200 pound critters. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: thespionage Date: 04 Feb 05 - 12:03 PM I have an open-back, long-neck Gold Tone Maple Mountain. Thank you for your suggestions. If you know of an online store that sells camera straps that would work, let me know. Russ Practitioner of Thespionage |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: open mike Date: 04 Feb 05 - 12:37 PM there is a strap, which for holding the heavier banjo is good for weight distribution...a Slider Strap goes over both shoulders people use them for all sorts of instrument.s. cunga drums, etc. i got mine for nyckelharpa to distribute the weight. you can order them from http://www.thinmanmusic.com/. a camera strap is made to hold something considerable lighter than a banjo, but lighter than 1200 pounds. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,Russ Date: 04 Feb 05 - 01:17 PM Why not use a banjo strap? e.g., http://www.janetdavismusic.com/ I use one of the padded ones with no metal parts. Russ (The other one) |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Ernest Date: 04 Feb 05 - 01:42 PM Swords to plowshares - why not gun straps for banjos? Makes them even motre dangerous... ;0) Regards Ernest |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 04 Feb 05 - 06:29 PM "I have an open-back, long-neck Gold Tone Maple Mountain...." TTO: "One eyed one horned flying purple people eater" :-) |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 04 Feb 05 - 10:54 PM Attend a "folk gathering" or a "third-world-marketplace"
Sincerely, Gargoyle
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Bob Bolton Date: 04 Feb 05 - 11:29 PM G'day Garg, ... Yeah ... but thespionage could almost get away with one that said Yashica ...! I've seen a few camera straps that might be adapted as decent straps for an open back banjo (I've been a professional photographer for decades) ... but decent "photographic" accessories are usually even more over-priced than decent "music" accessories! My little open-back banjo has a strap made, 40 years ago, from half of a 5 shilling ($0.50 in current 'face value!) length of 30 mm chrome-tanned leather. Narrower (~ 15 mm) strips cut from the same leather are sewn on each end and small brass buckles are rivetted to the ends of the broad strap. Unfortunately, this handy style of leather, from which I have made many straps for both cameras and light musical instruments, is no longer in fashion. "Oak-tanned" carving and belt leathers are a bit stiff for unpadded straps... and I would probably use a light synthetic webbing for the same job, today. Heavy banjos (big resonator types) demand specifically designed straps ... bought or bespoke. Regards, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,The Shambles Date: 05 Feb 05 - 07:11 AM I used a PENTAX one for quite a while. It worked well but the sound of the metal clips resonating on the body - did make folk think that a scrap-metal man was approaching. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Steve Latimer Date: 05 Feb 05 - 01:56 PM Thespionage, There are some fairlu inexpensive banjo straps available. I have mine strap over my left shoulder. They say that the right shoulder started when people like Earl Scruggs used to perform in Stetsons. It was too difficult to get the strap over your left shoulder with a hat on. A now hatless Earl now wears it over his left. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,Les B. Date: 05 Feb 05 - 03:38 PM Thespionage - apparently old Earl never picked up the "hat trick" from cowboy singers. As they lift the stap toward the hat, supporting it with the thumb, they grasp the hat between the thumb and forefinger, slide the hat backwards off the head, drop the strap on their back, and then bring the hat back up on their head, all in one smooth motion. Its a neat trick. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Once Famous Date: 05 Feb 05 - 03:43 PM Why not use a fork when you need a spoon? In other words, there are plenty of banjo straps out there correctly designed for the application. Go to Elderly Instruments on-line. I mean, why do you need to be creative in this case? There is no real need to. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,TDTESS Date: 05 Feb 05 - 10:55 PM Why be creative? What kind of dumbass question is that? Not everyone has cash to throw at their problems you know. Necessity is the mother of invention and all that. Minolta used to make a very good camera strap which fits banjos great without metal clips and if one was found cheap or free...why the hell not?! Otherwise, seatbelt webbing from the wrecking yard, leather belts from the Salvation Army or flea market...whatever it takes, and it can be done as good on the cheap as a taylor made product. Geez MG, you're a pain in the ass sometimes. TDTESS |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,I dont like MG, but some of you are worse Date: 05 Feb 05 - 11:09 PM even though MG can very often be a sadass dick.. some of you smug supercilious holier than thou asswipes are even more chidish because you can never resist the temptation to snipe and poke at the poor hopless clown, even when he's trying to be sensible and helpful.. and whats worse is you even lack the self control not to sour the tone of a mudcat newcomers thread such as this, simply requesting constructive info |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST Date: 05 Feb 05 - 11:10 PM and before you petty mined ****s admonish me for bad spelling.. "childish" |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST Date: 05 Feb 05 - 11:13 PM and "minded" |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,TDTESS Date: 06 Feb 05 - 03:07 PM Guest 11:09-You're right, I should not have "soured" this thread, and sorry I offended you, but MG can likely defend himself though you could be MG for all I can tell. Anyhow I did offer a suggestion of some value-the post wasn't wholly wasted. TDTESS |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST Date: 06 Feb 05 - 03:40 PM Use a nice heavy chain, so you can be sure it won't float. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Once Famous Date: 06 Feb 05 - 04:36 PM Guest,TDTESS, yep you are a real bad-add politically correct wimp. Sorry, for being so bluntly honest, but why not also tell him to use rubber bands for strings because some people just can't afford the real thing? You bet I can defend myself. I can also tell people that some things are just not acceptable to musicians who give a damn. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Tradsinger Date: 06 Feb 05 - 05:28 PM I used a dog lead as a banjo strap for many years. and it did the biz. Gwilym |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 06 Feb 05 - 07:55 PM ... and it had no effect on your 'ruff' style of playing, I bet.... |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Tradsinger Date: 07 Feb 05 - 02:49 PM It was good for fast licks. But anyone would have to be barking to follow my example. Gwilym PS your turn |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,Claymore Date: 07 Feb 05 - 06:04 PM Ernest made the comment about gun straps but he is about 35 years too late. One of the absolute best banjo straps I ever had was taken directly from a tankers .45 caliber shoulder holster. And those current straps which use a single buckle with the tang built in (a short metal strut sticking straight up in the middle of the buckle) follow that M-42 shoulder holster model. I did this to my 63 Vega upon my return from the 'Nam, and the strap worked great for about 25 years. I now have a similar arrangement using an old Fender 50s style, narrow guitar strap. And yes, thespionage, the only way to strap on a long-neck is over your right shoulder with a short strap attached to a strap button on the underside of the neck heel, so that the strap rises from that point under the neck, goes across the front of your body, then over the shoulder and ends at the banjo pot near the tail piece. The strap should be relatively short, and just allow your right hand to slide in, and the pad to make your shoulder. It allows you to balance the longer neck in your left hand and puts your right hand on the head at the right spot. If you need more upright angle on the neck, simply push down on the pot with your elbow as you play. A little practice and it comes naturally. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,foolestroupe - "I come fru da window!" Date: 07 Feb 05 - 06:20 PM Ruf, Ruff, ROFL.... |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Mooh Date: 07 Feb 05 - 07:31 PM My 5 string has an old belt threaded through the hardware around the whole pot, sort of cradling it, and a Levys strap connected to it (with a heavy bootlace) for adjustment. Works great. Peace, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Steve Latimer Date: 07 Feb 05 - 08:37 PM Mooh, I have a Levy's. Before that I had a cheap cloth strap with metal hooks. They constantly rubbed against the neck heel and resonator. I took the clips off, attached a leather boot laces to both ends and tied them to the hooks. It worked well, didn't mar the wood, until the actual cloth strap broke. I agree with Martin. Banjos are expensive and heavy instruments. I feel that my Levy's will last a lifetime and is specifically designed not to damage the banjo. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Once Famous Date: 07 Feb 05 - 08:51 PM I also have a Levy's. They are made well and made for the right application. Again, what's the big deal about making something that is easily obtainable and designed for the job? |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: number 6 Date: 07 Feb 05 - 10:22 PM Exactly MG .... if you can afford the price of a banjo I think you can throw in an xtra $10 for a Levy strap made specifically for the banjo !! |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: thespionage Date: 07 Feb 05 - 11:04 PM Foolestroube: I am confused at the comment you made comparing my banjo to a monster. It happens to be an excellent banjo, or do you just hate the instrument? Everyone who said anything about LEVYS: Wow, those straps look great. I think the banjo straps they have would fit on my banjo, despite the lack of strap buttons. Am I correct? Also: I don't see any prices listed; where would I buy a Levy's banjo strap? That suggestion seems to be just what I was looking for. Thanks! Russ Practitioner of Thespionage and Folk Music |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Mooh Date: 07 Feb 05 - 11:16 PM Sounds good. The only difference, and it may be psychological, is the belt around the pot under the hooks makes it feel like it's better balanced on the Levys strap that attaches to the old belt. The strap adjusts in the usual way. No hardware. Like I say, it might be all in my head but it feels better balanced this way...kinda cradled. The design is for the job, just that I made it myself, copied from something I saw in an old Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine (I think it was). Fwiw, Levys has some nice new carved leather straps. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Mooh Date: 07 Feb 05 - 11:17 PM Bet that was the first time I ever forgot to sign off! Peace, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 08 Feb 05 - 07:57 AM Thesbionage If you were following all the thread, you would see that Tradsinger and I ... oh never mind - if you didn't get the funning.... |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Mooh Date: 08 Feb 05 - 08:21 AM Martin Gibson..."What's the big deal about making something that's easily obtainable and designed for the job?" Not a BIG deal really, just a simple plan, I'm cheap, a long way from credible retailers who sell such things, and get some pleasure from do-it-yourself projects. Don't I wish I could just hop uptown to the nearest banjo shop and get what I want! But alas, that would be hours away at highway speeds. Mail order requires money, and God knows I like Elderly. I make a sustainable living as a small town folk/blues musician, but I do it by doing for myself where I can. Being handy helps, and I get some satisfaction from it. That's all it is for me...don't know about others. For what it's worth. Peace, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Stu Date: 08 Feb 05 - 10:45 AM I use my dog's old lead as a strap for my mandolin, tied to the head with a bit of string as there is no strap button on that end of the instrument. Works a treat! I did, however, get some money for Christmas and podded out on a Levy strap for my bouzouki. I had to widen the hole a tad for the button which is also my amp socket, add an extra hole using a leather punch and make a little leather loop to stop the end flapping about, but it is now perfect - I wear it in sessions for hours and it is really comfy. Recommended if you have the bunce. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,punfolkrocker Date: 08 Feb 05 - 12:20 PM these days i never need to buy straps and similar accesories [bags, cases, capos etc] because its so easy to accumalate a miscellany of such items bundled in when buying cheap 2nd hand instruments, or getting good all in deals on end of line discounted new ones.. eg, reasonable quality 'no name' leather mandolin/banjo strap included with bargain mandolin off ebay recently but i do still keep a look out for 'found' items; that, with a minimum of imagination and resourcefull modification, can be utilized as genuinely effective instrument accessories.. eg 2 compartment tennis shoulder holdall lined with heavy duty binbags and stuffed with bubble wrap as a convenient bag for transporting 2 mandolins and a preamp & leads as hand luggage on public transport.. obviously, i'm not so impoverished i cant afford to take advantage of occasional cheap instrument deals, but my need to be resourcefull is born from a 1/4 century experience of living the 'punk/indie' ethic of stretching out extremely limited budget to gain maximum benefit |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,world's best banjo player Date: 08 Feb 05 - 01:04 PM Does anyone know where I can get a hold of a Kodak Instamatic camera strap. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Mooh Date: 08 Feb 05 - 01:14 PM Did you try a banjo shop? Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: thespionage Date: 08 Feb 05 - 02:19 PM Foolestroupe, I am a big fan of humor (I also use a lot of it myself), but your comparison to a "One eyed one horned flying purple people eater" confused me; it didn't seem to go with the stuff about dogs. That I understood. Also thanks for the help. Where online should I go about buying a Levy's bajo strap? Mooh: Unfortunately, I have never seen a banjo shop in my life; just generic music stores that, if I'm lucky will have one or two low-quality banjoes. That is why I ordered my Gold Tone through my teacher. Russ |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Glen W Date: 08 Feb 05 - 02:34 PM Surely someone sells banjo straps? |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Mooh Date: 08 Feb 05 - 04:52 PM Russ...Sorry, I was being an ass but kinda referring to the foregoing conversation. Sounds like our music store situations are alike. Levys, as mentioned, are pretty good, and there's a website if you Google a bit, but order through Elderly, the 12th Fret, or some such place. Peace, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Steve Latimer Date: 08 Feb 05 - 05:05 PM Here are a few stores that specialize in Banjos. First Qualtity Music http://www.hatfieldmusic.com/page7.html Janet Davis Music |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Steve Latimer Date: 08 Feb 05 - 05:29 PM Oops, sorry I messed up the Hatfield Blicky. Here it is: Hatfield Music |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Once Famous Date: 08 Feb 05 - 05:51 PM well, Mooh. You could get a day job. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Mooh Date: 09 Feb 05 - 12:53 AM MG...Good one. My day job (evening job, night job, whatever) is music. Disabled loved ones, kids going off to college, two homes, blah blah blah, keeps me |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: Mooh Date: 09 Feb 05 - 12:55 AM What happened there? ...keeps me tight, not poor, just tight. Happier this way. Thanks for the advice though. Peace, Mooh. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: GUEST,foolestroupe - "I come fru da window!" Date: 09 Feb 05 - 06:21 AM thespionage my post of 04 Feb 05 - 06:29 above was a suggestion that the words you gave fitted the tune of what I mentioned - I notice that no banjo player has yet seen fit to have taken up the challenge to write the possible song... as a non-banjo player (but player of several other instruments) I don't really feel confident enough in all the inside banjo technology words to be able write the song. Now perhaps a song challenge thread... |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: thespionage Date: 09 Feb 05 - 05:55 PM Excellent! I love writing parodies and I am currently writing a parody about banjoes! Do you know where I could said song? Thank you for clarifying! Russ |
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Subject: Lyr Add: PURPLE PEOPLE EATER From: Bob Bolton Date: 09 Feb 05 - 10:31 PM G'day thespionage, I think that what escapes foolestroupe is that you were not around (mumble ... mumble ... ) decades back, when this was topping the hit parades: PURPLE PEOPLE EATER The Purple People Eater was the #1 song for 6 weeks in 1958 and the #24 song of the 1955-1959 rock era. It sold over 3 million records and received a Gold Record within 3 weeks after it was released. And over 100 Million Copies Overall!!! Words and music by Sheb Wooley. Lyrics to Purple People Eater. Well I saw the thing comin' out of the sky It had the one long horn, one big eye. I commenced to shakin' and I said "ooh-eee" It looks like a purple people eater to me. It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater. (one-eyed, one-horned, flyin' purple people eater) A one-eyed one-horned, flyin' purple people eater Sure looks strange to me. (one eye?) Well he came down to earth and lit in a tree I said Mr. Purple People Eater don't eat me I heard him say in a voice so gruff I wouldn't eat you cuz you're so tough It was a one-eyed, one-horned flyin' purple people eater one-eyed, one-horned flyin' purple people eater one-eyed, one-horned flyin' purple people eater Sure looks strange to me. (one horn?) I said Mr. Purple People Eater, what's your line He said it's eatin' purple people and it sure is fine But that's not the reason that I came to land I wanna get a job in a rock and roll band Well bless my soul, rock and roll, flying purple people eater. Pidgeon-toed, undergrowed, flyin' purple people eater (we wear short shorts) Flyin' purple people eater sure looks strange to me. And then he swung from the tree and lit on the ground. He started to rock, really rockin' around It was a crazy little ditty with a swingin' tune (sing aboop boop aboopa lopa lum bam boom) Well, bless my soul, rock and roll flyin' purple people eater. Pigeon-toed, undergrowed, flyin' purple peopleeater. Flyin' little people eater Sure looks strange to me. (purple people?) And then he went on his way, and then what do you know. I saw him last night on a TV show. He was blowing it out, a'really knockin' em dead Playin' rock and roll music through the horn in his head (clarinet solo) ( Tequila) This is where I got these words: Sheb Wooley site Sorry ... I could not see a tune link - and I don't want to have to listen to it again! Regard(les)s, Bob |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 10 Feb 05 - 12:23 AM Geeeee, thanks Bob! thespionage you omitted a word, but I guess you wanted to know where to send it... In all politeness,.. :E) Start a thread here entitled Lyr Add: (name) you can use the drop down list in the start page of the thread to select the Lyr Add bit. |
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Subject: RE: Camera Strap as a Banjo Strap From: thespionage Date: 10 Feb 05 - 01:09 AM Yes, I did mean "where I could hear said song." Thank you, I am familiar with the "Lyr add" policy. Which artist's recording would you suggest I use as the "standard" version? I must admit: the project is a little intimidating. I don't know if I could write that many verses about a speaking/singing banjo, but I'll give it a shot in the near future. I had also been unfamiliar with the abbreviation "TTO," which I have now realized means "To the tune of," or something similar. I know I have more to say, but I'm sure I'll say it in a later message. Thanks again. Russ |
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