Leave strap on or attach each time

[Piecomics]

OK, this is kind of Splitting hairs probably. I have a relatively nice ukulele, that I need to use a strap to play. I keep it in its case when not using it. Is it better for me to leave the strap on even though it means it will be in contact with the uke at all times, or take it off after each time I play, even though that means I’ll be kind of pushing and pulling on the strap buttons?

 

[rhiggie]

Assuming you are not talking about a Collings where their case is so exact a strap would put pressure somewhere, mine always stay on my ukes (the strap makers love me!). And I would never use a strap with metal on it ANYWHERE. I have only had 1 issue in 10+ years of doing this. It was a high quality black leather strap with the raw leather (also black) against my uke that had a mat finish. The black dye bled onto the wood finish where it laid under the back. Just a few places, not solid. I don't use that strap any more...

And if you want to consider a Collings, I have one listed currently

 

[jimavery]

I leave mine on. There is a tiny amount of marking where the leather wraps around the headstock, but while the strap is on (and it always is) it's not noticeable. I'm not too precious about wear and tear on my ukes so long as I can play them.

 

[Pixiegod]

I would second the notion to look out for metal parts on the strap, those might scratch the wood in the case. Also, often removing the strap from the buttons/pins might wear the button holes, which might lead to unfortunate accidents. A remedy would be the use of LOXX pins. They are secure, and you can attach the strap within a second. The only drawback is that the pin holes are a bit larger than regular ones, and it might reduce the chance to resell the uke, since comparatively few people use straps with the LOXX system.

Once you outfitted a strap with the LOXX system, you can of course use it with every LOXX pin uke. So you could get one deluxe strap and use it all over.

I have a few LOXX pins on my ukes, others (still) have regular pins.

 

[bilbo56]

None of my straps have metal pieces, but I take them off every time I put the instruments back in their cases. I really don't think there is any extra strain on the buttons.

 

[RafterGirl]

I have always used straps, and left them on. I have strap buttons at the tail block and heel of the neck. I've always used Sherrins Threads one inch straps with leather tabs (not dyed) at both ends. I haven't noticed any damage or change in the finish of my ukes over the course of 6 years. My ukes live in hard cases in my office. My current ukes all have MiSi pick-ups and the straps are secured to the pick-up with a TapaString keeper. The guitar player in my church band takes his strap off every time. He says that he's had the leather tabs rub the finish off his guitars over the years. Because of his statement, I do check my ukes from time to time. So far, I've seen no issues.

 

[Larry U]

If a uke lives in a hard case, I take the straps off. The tolerances are usually pretty tight (which is a good thing) and I've had a nylon strap that was draped over the lower bout actually leave an visible impression in the finish of a cedar-topped Pono tenor. I was able to polish most of it out, but that was enough of a lesson for me. I have a couple of ukes with soft cases/gig bags, and they aren't such a tight fit so I can leave the straps on and tuck them in around the side.

 

[GreatPotoo]

I leave mine on, but it's carbon fiber. Being new here, I'm already getting that UAS bug, LoL. I have appreciated the indestructible nature of my current instrument, but I'd also like to experience a nice uke made of wood.

 

[Wiggy]

Like Larry said above, if it fits loosely in its case leave the strap on. I have only one that requires removal. Constant putting a strap on and off would probably result in more damage than just leaving it on.

 

[Oldscruggsfan]

Since (as recommended by several folks with far greater experience than my own) I use a bootlace as a strap, with one end permanently looped under the strings at the headstock, mine stays on and I just slip the opposite-end loop over the lower bout strap button each time I choose to annoy my family by playing. I don't currently own a case but the answer will be the same when/ if I acquire one.

 

[merlin666]

Can also depend on type of uke. If it is higher end with delicate nitro finish then avoid all contact between strap and body. If it is a cheaper uke with poly finish then it likely won't matter much.

 

[ripock]

I always make sure there's a bit of wiggle room in my case and I always keep the strap on and merely tuck it around the bottom of the uke thereby making the uke fit snugly. Will the leather strap eventually abrade the uke? I guess so, but that's just life. If I didn't wear them, my glasses would stay clean and scratch-free...but that's not what glasses are for.

 

[quiltingshirley]

I would second the notion to look out for metal parts on the strap, those might scratch the wood in the case. Also, often removing the strap from the buttons/pins might wear the button holes, which might lead to unfortunate accidents. A remedy would be the use of LOXX pins. They are secure, and you can attach the strap within a second. The only drawback is that the pin holes are a bit larger than regular ones, and it might reduce the chance to resell the uke, since comparatively few people use straps with the LOXX system.

Once you outfitted a strap with the LOXX system, you can of course use it with every LOXX pin uke. So you could get one deluxe strap and use it all over.

I have a few LOXX pins on my ukes, others (still) have regular pins.

Will the LOXX pins stick out too far to get those tight fitting ukes in the cases?

 

[Down Up Dick]

I always make sure there's a bit of wiggle room in my case and I always keep the strap on and merely tuck it around the bottom of the uke thereby making the uke fit snugly. Will the leather strap eventually abrade the uke? I guess so, but that's just life. If I didn't wear them, my glasses would stay clean and scratch-free...but that's not what glasses are for.

Yeah, leave it on if it’ll fit in your case. I leave all mine on. A few small ones just have parachord ones. I really like that better.

 

[Olmeck]

Mine don’t fit when in the hard case so I take them off. I also think that the amount of pressure and short amount of time taken to put a strap on and take it off is too minimal to cause damage. These are instruments not thin and fine glassware…

 

[mjh42]

Depends: Magic Fluke on all the time. Nylon on plastic--no metal or scraping parts--fits in case no problem.
Godin---on and off every session. Does not fit well in case. Has metal parts that may scratch.
RISA--On all the time---Risa sits out on a uke stand all the time--can't remember last time it was in the case.

KoAloha and Pohaku---Never---don't use straps with them.

 

[Pixiegod]

Will the LOXX pins stick out too far to get those tight fitting ukes in the cases?

While the screw of LOXX pins is a bit larger, the pin sticking out is actually a bit smaller. I could not find good pictures on the net that show the size properly, so I just took some from my KTS-7 (soprano size), without the strap on and with. If you are not familiar with the LOXX system, you screw in a special pin, and on it, you attach the strap, which has been equipped with a fitting "hat" that clicks on the pin. Edit: I just noticed the two pix don't have the same "ratio"; the pin looks bigger than it should in relation to the pix with the strap attached.

 

[Plonky-tonk]

I leave mine on, but it's carbon fiber. Being new here, I'm already getting that UAS bug, LoL. I have appreciated the indestructible nature of my current instrument, but I'd also like to experience a nice uke made of wood.

You might look into a laminate wood uke. I neglected a cheap laminate uke for 20 years, and it’s still in great shape and sounds fine, enough so that I am passing it on to a friend who wants to start playing.

Kiwaya make high-quality laminate. Mine is only a couple years old and I’ve kept it in a soft case. You mentioned travelling in the desert - I live where it’s pretty humid so I can’t speak to the need or not for humidifier packets in the case for laminates. I’m sure someone will know!

In any case, laminate wood is a tough and forgiving option. And it sounds lovely!

 

[GreatPotoo]

Thanks, Plonky-tonk. I'm open to just about anything. I've looked at so many this week and have so many screens pulled up I'm getting dazed. Will keep this in mind.

 

[bbednarek]

OK, this is kind of Splitting hairs probably. I have a relatively nice ukulele, that I need to use a strap to play. I keep it in its case when not using it. Is it better for me to leave the strap on even though it means it will be in contact with the uke at all times, or take it off after each time I play, even though that means I’ll be kind of pushing and pulling on the strap buttons?

I leave the strap attached, but I am careful to make sure it lines up flat. And definitely agree with the others who say to avoid metal anywhere on the strap. Personally, I find attaching a new strap to a ukulele a nerve-racking process because of the forces involved.