So I would like to tackle making a guitar strap from start to finish. Using what I’m learning from Philip and input from all the members here. I want to share the experience and get help from everyone. So hopefully it goes well and you all enjoy.
First step planning....
ALL COMMENTS AND IDEAS WELCOME!
If you don't find non stretch tape, just get a stripe of polyester and glue it to either the leather or the liner.
Regarding the buttero, i would invite you to reconsider on this as the 2mm buttero is extremly firm and i am thinking that it will be a bit too much to ask from it to contour the upper chest, shoulder and upper back area. I feel the strap will be too stiff. I think a leather such as Horween Dublin would be better suited for your strap, sturdsy as hell yet soft enough for the job.
I know springfield leather and weaver leathersupply sell suede/nubuck. I've bought from both of them before and they were good people to work with always
So my veg tan buttero is 2mm and I’m leaning towards a suede calf skin at 1.5 mm. I’m hoping this will feel stout but still be comfortable. Having trouble locating suede. Any one used district leather in NYC?
@Fadi Wow what great feedback! Thank you for this.
I will use more padding.
I can not find non stretch tape yet, but are you saying to both pieces or to the suede?
Thanks for the link to the foam.
I need to determine the type and thickness of suede.
I am leaning towards piping as I don’t have a lot of skiving experience and I feel like that’s a lot of skiving.
Hello,
I will be discussing padding with you first, specially the "location".
In your drawing, you have padding on the neck part of the strap, but not the back. But you forget something, everyone wears their strap and hold their guitar differently. I remember when I first started playing, I used to hang my guitar really really low (agressive rock punk style), and in that case, the padding you are putting will barely be to back of my shoulder. I would advise you to fully pad the strap, that way, whoever wears it, however they wear it, it will be good.
I don't think it needs reinforcement, but I would glue a non stretch tape to the leather so that it doesn't stretch and keeps it's measurements.
Regarding the foam, i have been using this one form RMLS on my laptop bag (which is extremly heavy), and it is padding my shoulder pad extremly well and is very comfortable, in 3mm: https://www.rmleathersupply.com/collections/view-all-leather/products/luigi-carnevali-saba-reinforcement?variant=13981790175341
Definetly a suede/nubuck on the back side, as these leathers are a bit grippy and will help in having the strap not slipping around the shoulder all the time while playing.
Seing as the strap will be constantly rubbing on shoulders, i would think piping would give you a longer lasting edge. I am also thinking of a third alternative: turned edges like in Phil's passport case course. Just turn the edges of both the suede and the top part and stitch them together.