Straps, do you or not?

SallyS · Feb 12, 2016

I am debating and am curious.
Straps, yes or no.
If so - what king & where is your button?

Mahalo

Sanfe · Feb 12, 2016

Not for the sopranos I play. But I imagine for anything larger, why not?

peanuts56 · Feb 12, 2016

I play tenor most of the time and always use a strap. I find it takes a lot of the tension away in my shoulders and upper body. On the rare moments I pick up a concert I don't strap. I teach instrumental/classroom music and sometimes use the concert in classroom situations. I only strum while playing concert and primarily finger pick on tenor. Using the strap gives me one less thing to worry about when playing finger style.

janeray1940 · Feb 12, 2016

I play soprano and concert, and I always install a strap button at the bottom/lower bout. I only use the one strap button and tie the other end of the strap to the headstock; I've tried ukes with two strap buttons and find them less stable.

I use 1.5" wide guitar-style straps that I get here. I resisted using a strap for a long time, but once I tried it my playing improved so much that now I consider it a necessity - even on sopranos, it makes a huge difference for me.

Nickie · Feb 12, 2016

I never, ever play strapless.

Mivo · Feb 12, 2016

I use an Uke Leash with all my ukuleles. I would like to be able to play without one (at least while seated, without clutching), but I'm not at that point yet, and the Uke Leash makes it much easier and more comfortable to play, without needing a full-size strap. My ukes don't have strap buttons.

spookelele · Feb 12, 2016

I strap. Butt to neck.
Moving around on the neck is just soo much easier when it's not going to fall.

DownUpDave · Feb 12, 2016

I use a strap with two buttons, guitar like set up. Once you use a strap you will not want to play without one...........at least I don't.

Still Water Weapons · Feb 12, 2016

I play tenor mostly and always use a strap. 1.5" Sherrins threads type. Buttons on bottom and underside of heel.

pluck · Feb 12, 2016

I resisted but it was futile. Now I use a uke leash. Playing the Em is much more fun when I'm not worried about dropping the uke. For a while spider walking chord changes was an interesting challenge but in the end it gave me a headache.

actadh · Feb 12, 2016

I have two strap buttons straps on my 21st century sopranos, and use 2" Franklin brand straps.

The vintage sopranos do not have them - I use a Mobius strap or a piece of rubbery rug underlay behind the bout to keep in place.

No strap buttons on the concert - I play sitting down and it is fine played with a raised foot an a stool. I have a folding milking stool that is the perfect height.

I use a uke leash, a Flanger leg rest, the rug underlay, or a Mobius strap on the tenor.

strumsilly · Feb 12, 2016

strap for my tenor, mando strap, and for electric. guitar strap.

jollyboy · Feb 12, 2016

Early on I became aware that there was some should-I-install-a-strap-button-or not debate. This left me feeling unsure as to what to do regarding using a strap (ironically, if I hadn't discovered this debate I may well have just carried on in blissful ignorance).

I initially tried a leash-style strap with a soundhole hook but I didn't like it all. I know that the ukulele isn't the heaviest instrument in the world but having one hanging off the back of my neck I found to be pretty uncomfortable even after say only 10 to 15 minutes.

Then I bought a second-hand Kala (concert with cedar top) which already had a button installed. So I got myself an over-the-shoulder strap. And I'm really glad that I did. It's not so much that it makes it easier to support the instrument as the fact that it changes the way I hold it. Before I was sort of death hugging it, like some mad maiden aunt, to keep it stable. This was deadening the sound of the instrument. Using a strap has really helped the uke to open up.

I have a groovy hand-made red velvet strap that I purchased from this ebay.uk seller. I'm really happy with it and have been meaning to give her a plug for a while. It matches the red velvet smoking jacket that I like to wear when I withdraw to my study for an evening of brandy, cigars and toy guitar tomfoolery

Mivo · Feb 12, 2016

jollyboy said:
I initially tried a leash-style strap with a soundhole hook but I didn't like it all.

The "Uke Leash" goes around the headstock, fortunately. I agree with the soundhole hook thingies; I'd be in constant worry that they damage the instrument. Not sure if that worry is based on fact, but it just seems really unsafe to me. Lori's Uke Leash is a good compromise, I feel, for ukes without strap buttons.

sukie · Feb 12, 2016

I embraced the strap. I play a super-concert. The strap gives me peace of mind. I have a strap made by Sarah Maisel!

Ukulele Eddie · Feb 13, 2016

Asking where my button is -- that's getting a little personal. ;-)

I do not use a strap. I only play sitting down. I use a portable foot stool:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...Th9PzUUWTCGjSfE3VU7kzuhLdprRZ0Z5HXBoCF5Lw_wcB

Gary52 · Feb 13, 2016

Straps, yes! I play concerts and have two strap buttons on each of them. I like the thin leather mandolin straps. A uke is so light that a wide, guitar-type strap seems unnecessary.

Lori · Feb 13, 2016

Mivo said:
The "Uke Leash" goes around the headstock, fortunately. I agree with the soundhole hook thingies; I'd be in constant worry that they damage the instrument. Not sure if that worry is based on fact, but it just seems really unsafe to me. Lori's Uke Leash is a good compromise, I feel, for ukes without strap buttons.

Thanks Mivo!
I find a strap very helpful, and am never without one. If I absolutely have to stand (which is almost never) I need a button on the bottom, and connect at the headstock. The rest of the time, I use my Uke Leash®, even on the ukes that have a button. It just helps me support the uke neck at just the right angle. It makes all the difference in making it easier to play everything. One less thing to think about.

–Lori

jollyboy · Feb 13, 2016

Mivo said:
The "Uke Leash" goes around the headstock, fortunately. I agree with the soundhole hook thingies; I'd be in constant worry that they damage the instrument. Not sure if that worry is based on fact, but it just seems really unsafe to me. Lori's Uke Leash is a good compromise, I feel, for ukes without strap buttons.

To be clear I was not specifically referring to the 'Uke Leash' brand of strap. I was talking about the generic type of strap that is often called 'leash-style', typically attaching to the uke via a clip and worn around the neck. I have never tried the 'Uke Leash' but have read many good things about it. (It would be really cool if one of the uk specialist stores stocked them as the international shipping when buying direct pretty much doubles the price

).

Jim Hanks · Feb 13, 2016

spookelele said:
I strap. Butt to neck.
Moving around on the neck is just soo much easier when it's not going to fall.

This.

Mivo said:
The "Uke Leash" goes around the headstock..Lori's Uke Leash is a good compromise, I feel, for ukes without strap buttons.

And this.

Mostly I prefer one button at the base and tying to the headstock, width 1"-1.5" or the thin Uke Leash is great too. I just got another one with the adapter to hook to the end pin and I like that setup better than the original design for no strap buttons.

Straps, do you or not?

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