TVvoodoo's Straplab

[TVvoodoo]

Aw geez Norm, why you go drag down this thread with all those cheap french fry guitars? Can't you
afford anything imported? Every time I see these things, I find myself whispering a nasty baguette innuendo,
then cackling like Wicked Santa LOL!

"Ahh but of course we must share togedder, mon cherie! Will you 'elp apply for me a leetle butter?
Ho-Ho-Hoooooo!"

Someday I'm going to get me a guitar with God in the name, and a Traynor too.

VROOOM! VROOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!!!
***********************************************************************

One colour that captured my imagination early on was British Racing Green. Today I present the first strap I have ever made in this shade. The main padded body of this strap, the leather is nearly black, but just stops short of black on the green side of things. Pretty awesome!

Green straps are never a big seller for me, but in light of the recent trend to see more green guitars, I figured the time was right for this one. I added hootenanny ribbon to make this a "1969" series, but also dyed that ribbon a lighter shade of green (it was originally black and white only). I tied it all together with oxblood heavy leather on the nose tail and ladder portions and gave it contrasting stitching on the body. Looks real sharp! And of course you know it goes real long, and offers fantastic padding. It's up on Reverb now...

Anyone else here a product of the "Sesame Street" gen? I recall this Kermit segment pretty clearly. It was one of the first times I remember being emotionally affected by a piece of media. Sorry if this harshes anyone's Friday mellow, but i figured I'd call it up for purely nostalgic reasons. Poor, poor Kermie

 

[Session 5]

Someday I'm going to get me a guitar with God in the name, and a Traynor too.

VROOOM! VROOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!!!




Those would be the two wisest decisions you would ever make Brad... and not only that, those french fried guitars make your straps look better..

 

[TVvoodoo]

Sunday is the BEST day for vibin' - so that's what I called this strap. Made two of them, in soft heavy minky upholstery cloth, with teal, blues, soft greens, some tans, and soft light tan leather on both ends.

Actually, this reminds me of like an 80's sofa or something. But it's got a great dark-to-light flip flop effect to it too, feels velvety and soft but really strong too!

I figure if you got and easter egg coloured strat or gretch, this would set it off real nice... And, using it will make you feel 29% happier than any other strap, probably. Who wants to be an uncomfortable grump playing guitar? Ok, maybe some guys do. That's not for me, or any of the Well-Hung crew.

Hope your Sunday is going well, such a busy time of year for most families, expensive too! Yeesh!. Today we are wrapping a few gifts, got the Rat Pack Christmas tunes on, getting in the spirit. For me and my wife, we made our list and have been shopping a few times, a little online too, mostly already done! Generally, we look for two things in our gifting, but it can be a challenge for sure, especially for certain recipients.

1. A thoughtful gift that'll "spark joy" and improve somebody's life for the long haul in some way
2. Something kind of original, maybe handmade and special. Usually this sort of thing can cost a bit more, not always... but if so, in the past it has been worth it. Particularly when we know it benefits two individuals via that kind of purchase, both seller, AND the recipient.

Not that easy to do/find, particularly when we're in a rush to do it seven or eight times for a bunch of different people. But we try, and usually make it happen for most on our list.

Reminder... if you or someone you know would benefit by being Well-hung for Christmas, best get that order in in the next couple of days. Typically from my hereabouts, it's a 10-12 day journey.

I'm also toying with the idea of a Well-Hung Custom Tooled strap Gift Certificate, for a strap with a person's name or initials on the front, basic leather, and a cowboy tooled border, if that may interest anyone. Then the recipient can contact me and I'll work with them in the New Year. I'll work through the details with the giftee so they can get something custom-made for a special guitar, but there will have to be some limiting parameters so I don't lose my damn shirt!

Something like these lettered gun slings, in a guitar strap format... say 2.5 or 3" wide, good leather.

I do try to make the process of getting a custom strap made an enjoyable, even fun process, and have good success with that, so it's an experience sort of thing.... might be an idea for some of you.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Went out back and plucked a new one off the strap growin' tree... "Tweedinator" emerges as the
latest in the Well-Hung No-Prisoners, no repeats line!

What you got here is a padded base of 3" wide REAL GENUINE F-tweed fabric, (not the awful vinyl stuff), wth a khaki/olive brown webbed belt loaded with all kinds of rivets, pyramid studs, and some other things look like the back end of a bullet casing. Thicker 7 oz. Oil-Tanned leather where it really counts (layered with vegan leather for extra strength). 1" thick padding in the inside shoulder and no slip upholstery cloth lining in dark camel.

This one built to go a bit longer than most... adjusts between 48" minimum up to about 62"
About ten inches more than your typical store-bought ladder strap.

Q. Are you weary of finding yourself shortchanged in length by a strap purchase?
A. Don't put up with that!

Q. Have you experienced companies promising a strap is a "comfort" or "padded" strap, soon to find they oversold that idea, then skimped on padding during the construction, or used none at all?
A. You can do better!

Does the claim of "Genuine Leather" by a big factory maker offering surprisingly inexpensive goods titillate you enough to go 'round recommending everyone else what a fantastic deal you got? Do you REALLY know what you might be endorsing?

Could it possibly be the truth? ...I agree, can be hard know for sure, 'til you find out suddenly, the heartbreaking way.
But a core truth remains: THEY sure as Hell ain't gonna tell you.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Today I am working on a tooling job tentatively called "Tex" typical drill...

Casing the leather, an overnight process getting the leather remoisturized for tooling.

While that's happening, get the design all worked out and approved

Get the pattern of the elements down on the leather, simple tracing, before cutting in with the swivel knife.

Using a new stamp I haven't used before, it's a basket weave type stamp, will be almost full coverage of the surface area. These can be tricky in my experience.
I did a bit of a practice session with it on some scrap before attacking the real deal

A stamp like this has a longer footprint, so it takes a bit more "energy" to get the pattern down, a few extra hits, and rocking the stamp a bit for a nice impression.

Guess I got a bit too cowboy with it all, ended up busting my special leather stamping mallet. Now I know what to ask Santa for Xmas. I got lots of hammers around here, but this has been a good tool while it lasted

While the basket stamp is supposed to fit into the previous impressions to guide you, it seems for the whole five hours it takes to stamp a 48" X 3 piece of leather, you are constantly in panic mode trying to keep things aligned. Rather stressful, particularly for a long piece. Making my way to Texas, which will be on the middle back of the strap.
The bevelling of the state outline and scroll on the front was a nice break from the nervousness of all the basketweave.

It's not perfect. Some wayward errors on the lower right, but in the grande scheme it looks pretty ok, once it's all done, those things will practically disappear.
Probably going to do a first dye stage tonight. Yellow.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Project "Tex" - stamping and tooling... with a groovy new basketweave stamp I got for Christmas last year, and haven't used until now.

Big job... kind of stressy... keeping things aligned is not as easy as you might think. And if you go off track, getting back takes some doing. Anyway, not perfect, but OK - Plus some other stuff

Monogram stamped on the scroll. Stands for "Guitar Exubertant Person" or perhaps "Gibson Energy Proud" - or whatever. Anway, I used the press to mash these down, only get one try. You best be right on the fricken money!

...and I was, pretty much. Ok, so these Western letter stamps are ok, but kind of boring. Lets' fancy 'em up a bit, for the true western style...

Crosshatched, and one smack with a seeder stamp, and a crown thingy. That's better! Now let's break out the dye. First pass was a premixed plain yellow, diluted, then I took about two oz. of that same dye, darkened it down in three stages and rubbed a burst on in each stage being more careful than I'm used to, moving my way to the outer edges.

Didn't take a photo, but I painted the letters with a reddish dye made to match the back of the guitar, and dyed the portions of the state of Texas. What are these three sections for, counties? Or maybe it's Cowboys, Mexicans and Gringos? Somebody here will let me know I'm sure. Anyway, after the dye set in overnight, I did a quick bit of dye resist on the important parts last night, and a little bit down the center to try to preserve that colour... Early this morning I dyed the edges black, and burnished them out to s shine.

Then, antiquing... keeping it very light in the middle, and thicker blobbies in the edges. I rub this dark goop in all the nooks and crannies with my wife's toothbrush.

Turned out pretty alright. At this point though... looking at photo sent to me of the guitar, I realize I should have made the middle of the strap a bit more intense/saturated yellow to match the interior of the burst. No big, at this point it's not a big deal to wipe a rag with some yellow dye and go over the antiquing, but carefully so... And that did the trick nicely.

Colour balance is a bit off on this photo... Receiving guitar in my computer monitor.... but we are really closing in on it now.

So now I can give it a real good buffing to shine it up nice, get any stray globby antique paste off.
This weave pattern really kicks out a sweet glow.

Later before I hit the hay tonight gonna to give it a good oiling with neatsfoot, and tomorrow buff it out one more time and can get that Trucoat on, (don'tcha know) a process which will last for a day and a night, then I'll be able to add the funky western hardware, pad it out, sew it, punch holes and deliver it soon after.

Better go return my wife's toothbrush. Yeehaw!

 

[TVvoodoo]

Yesterday I sent a strap away to frickin' Hawaii. -30 here right now. I wish I could fold myself into a damn box! I know there are others
who could use a little cheer up too, weatherwise! Some of you folks ain't used to square tires, so bundle up and think warm thoughts!

Been building this one on the side while I was making "Tex" finally got pics and have it listed up in the Well-Hung Reverb store.
Allow me to introduce the latest "No Prisoners" strap Zen Master!

Been sittin' on the belt this one features for a Looonnnnnng time, finally I was inspired! Made this one on black leather, in my Class Act form factor...
This is where my back-buckle pass-thru design makes for guitar friendly and convenient adjustment, 40" to 56" - What a badass buckle it is!

Heavy antique brass, black 'n gold with big ol' rivets all over it. The tail strap has rivets too, but a dark camel upholstery lining covers the backside protecting your guitar from contact. Also the inspiration for the "Zen Master" name... vaguely Japanese style floral embroidery in five sections, on this 3" wide strap. Soft Golds, tiny yellow flowers and is that dank purple kush buds making a trippy scene? Plus, antique brass rivets all along the feature belt too, over a hunnerd of 'em.

Allow me a couple of horn-honks via recent guitarist reactions to my wares

Brett in Nanaimo, BC picked "Champagne Ranch" out of my "ZAP" series from the summer
"This Well-Hung beauty is a strap made for the rock gods. Every detail is well thought out and designed perfectly. Built to last and for comfort!"

Total Baller TTR brother @fitz took a huge flyer, grabbing up three for his 1st Well-Hung purchase.
"Outstanding quality and craftsmanship - beyond my wildest expectations. Brad is a super guy and a pleasure to do business with. I've bought a lot of guitars from a lot of different places, but I doubt I'll ever buy another strap from anyone else. Well-Hung straps ROCK!"

Busy month. Proud /pleased to say I made the modest number quota I set for myself last January. Phew! This means I actually get to keep strapping into 2023 and won't be forced to bolt on the slave collar and go work for The Man. Yay! As you might imagine, a HUGE weight off my mind. Many forum brothers to thank here & elsewhere. If you were a Well-Hung Endorsermentor, watch in early 2023 for my annual draw where you might win straps and/or swag... you know Fake Satchel is fully in!

I will still be facilitating orders through the holidays, probably picking away at a few things too. If you have a Well-Hung rig, celebrate with me!
Why not post a sexy pic of your combo here over the next week or so, with a few words to keep this thread alive? If you manage to make me LOL, I might even add a ballot for you!

 

[TVvoodoo]

Celebrating with a few completed shots of "Tex" now enroute to the Lone Star State

Cowboy flavoured basketweave tooling and carving, contrast stitched, monogrammed, heavy western hardware set, in my Class Act pass-thru design 48"-57". Lined, nicely padded. This is the sort of thing eventually even the grandson will wear with pride.

Texture, style, shine, comfort and superb utility... really has it all.

Wishing the Well-Hung Warrior Clan and fellow strapoholics everywhere a very Merry Christmas/Hoppy Holidays.
Please allow me the honour of treating you bad boys to the serious sort of strapping you definitely deserve in 2023.
Most will affirm the experience is far less punishing than it is pleasurable!

Be safe!

 

[mcblink]

Hot damn that's some intricate work! Awesome stuff.

I believe the star and 3 colored sections of Texas is representative of their state flag.

Merry Christmas!

 

[JJ119]

BEAUTIFUL!!

Merry Christmas!!

 

[TVvoodoo]

Happy New Year rats of the StrapLab! Man-o-Man, I had a relaxing holiday... did some traveling, enjoyed many spiritual things, (both bottled and other), and got in plenty of family time. Gifts were given, received and appreciated and what's a big holiday without some major family drama? It was interesting, but in short I'm not gonna bore y'alls and just say it's pretty dang good to be back.

Starting off 2023 with a set of new ones, started yesterday and completed today as I dust the cobwebs out of my shop and brain!
"Bandido" in the new Vino Tinto colour... or "wine red" to all you gringos out there.

I'd been sitting on this blanket here for a few months, so it was finally time to get some straps out of it! Something seems to be going on about these suddenly.... haven't made or sold one for months and months, but just recently sent one of the Chipotle Brown versions below off to Eastern Canada, and in mid-December I sold out of the "Chili" coloured HOT RED version. While I was making the new Wine Red versions, I also made a couple of the hot red ones and they are now all in the Well-Hung Reverb Store.

These are the only actual Mexi-blanket strap out there, that I have seen. Plenty sort of hint around at it as southwest flavoured straps, but none as overtly trad/cool and comfortable/legit as the famoso Well-Hung Bandido! They really are comfy as a blanky and have a great casual ethnic vibe.

 

[TVvoodoo]

I'm still left waiting for my paisley tele project to come home from the young fellow who wanted to work on the guts for me
But, over the past couple days I figured I'd get ready by making myself a custom strap I hope is going to pair nicely with it.

I know pink paisley telecasters can be kind of challenge to find a fitting strap for that looks like it belongs, so while I was at it I saw fit to
make couple more that will go in the store shortly. But the bottom one here is mine, (It's got a couple small flaws in the leather, that stuff don't matter to me!

Hot Magenta pink paisleys swim all over this strap, in between some crazy bright green flowers. Nice 3" wide buttery soft garment leather base, in tan, dark maroon oil tanned leather on the nose and tail. Mega strong, mega padded, and goes over 60" too! Trippy Pattern, these belong in the 1969 Series.

Sweet pic came in of one of my favourite straps, the woven leather "Basket Case" on this sweet looking gibby Booty Mover

 

[TVvoodoo]

today I finished a few new Surf Matrikas, probably my second most popular strap
Look like this, a bit over 3" wide, creme/silver/surfy turquoise and black and sweet, sweet comfort.
Up to 61" long

Late in last year started talking with Stan and the boys from Wisconsin Power Trio "Midnight Crow"
The were looking for some comfortable and cool straps for face melt activities, and we delivered! First reaction from them was... "comfort of a cloud!"

They bill themselves as the "heaviest Blues Rock Trio in the midwest" musically, they might be right.
Weightwise, (no disprespect) likely indisputable! I'm still looking for the 6X WH tee Bassist Jeremy wants
Here's a short promo vid... I know TTR forum brothers are gonna REALLY dig this nasty tone!

They also do a fun weekly "Band Talk" video, most recent episode...
Warning: Explicit language and terrible life advice

go check these guys out if you are in the area.

Also got a sweet photo in from Trawna, Ontario of Serial Well-Hungian Jacko's SG sportin' a dragon!

 

[TVvoodoo]

Battlin' a busted camera, a contractor bangin' away at the floor atop my head, a video edit program crashing my aging desktop after every third or fourth action, and a terrible web connection that took a full seven hours to upload a 20 min. vid. Sheesh!

I eventually won. More importantly, so did a number of TTR Brothers including @iblive and @LiveeviL2000 , who says Friday the 13th is unlucky?

Fellas, if you see this, please PM me your mailing address especially if you have moved recently and save me the time to contact you!
Also, if you didn't win a strap but maybe need a little something/something along with what I'm about to send you already, get in touch and let's talk about your wants and needs - cause your prize ships on my dime!

 

[LiveeviL2000]

Well, I didn’t win the 1 billion dollar lottery, but I hit pay-dirt with some swag!!!

I’d like to thank the academy and all you little people who … kept my mother F’in wife’s name out of your mother F’n mouths!!

Oh wait! Wrong award show. Sorry.

 

[TVvoodoo]

OK, been busy packing up prizes for ten different destinations. Not on the list for free stuff? Oh, so sorry! Perhaps you should be strutting your stuff as a Well-Hung guitarist, (who never get tired of winning, I'm told).

These six went out yesterday, one more packaged up but didn't get out today sorry @jstang55, tomorrow.... Pinky swear! Waiting for tee sizes from the last three dudes before I can pack those...

Not sitting around drankin' coffee while I'm waiting though. I dug deep deep into the hidden recesses of the Well-Hung Leather Library, and found me some old velociraptor hide I've been saving for a special occasion.

Well-Hung Velociraptor straps were very popular back in 2017 or so... super soft leather with that huge scale pattern... I put it so that it looks kind of like a lighting bolt running up the middle. It does brings back some traumatic memories of the day I visited the 'raptor farm, and the crew asked me to help cut one out of the herd. Truth to tell, it was kind of an awful scene, thankfully most of us lived to tell the tale.

3" wide, nicely padded cowhide upper, heavy dark brown ends front and back. Rolled edges for superior neck comfort. Approx 45"-57" Should be up in the store tomorrow sometime.

Customer photo in! If only you fellas knew how much it jazzes me to get these pics. Fellas, I live a simple but lonely life. John from The tone rooms!
He also picked up a set of Old School Leather strap locks, seems real happy, and that makes me happy too!

 

[TVvoodoo]

New to the Well-Hung Strapateria Reverb store today is "Enforcer" which could draw polite applause when you throw it on for that smooth jazz combo sit-in. That, or distressed hyperventilation. Yes, even you deserve this kind of fun!

It's a " No Prisoners Series" sling, which I've been making for a long time now. I am constantly scouring thrift stores and estate sales for cool belts, and when I find one interesting enough, I'll build a guitar strap around it and give it a badass name. The coolest thing about them is, I have never repeated two the same, so each finished piece of becomes a one-off signature sort of thing, that a player can be confident is one-of-a-kind. That's worth something, right?

Believe it or not, it's hard to find belts like that aren't ripped or missing grommets, or whatever.
so I have to look at them quite careful in the store, because they're seldom as cheap as you'd think.

This one features a whole bunch of antique brass hardware on it, but is a faux leather belt. But the 3" wide base is fully beautiful thick top grain garment leather for longevity and comfort. Plus it's got the typical Well-Hung rolled edges for comfort on your neck, is fully 3" wide on the shoulder, and generously loaded with padding. Super comfy, VERY robust, and a little bit intimidating.

Hey, since it's a brand new year, how about a quick plug for my own design strap buttons called Well-Hung Pro-Pins. They are wider, deeper and just plain better! Solid aluminum, nickel plated.

As a strapmaker, please understand how fully aware and concerned I am regarding guitar security not just for myself but also up to two thousand customers served over the past 12 years. My mission is to convince every you to try these, as I believe they offer a big improvement to the guitar life of most anyone. They are not for all guitars or all situations but work wonderfully in many. And, they'll likely wean you off mechanical locks which I view as possibly the work of the devil, if not simply as expensive and unsightly binky/hardware for guitarists.

Don't take it from me... here's a new 2023 Reverb feedback from Steady Eddie in Ft. Mitchell KY: "Just say "no" to straplocks! I've tried them all. These Well-Hung oversized strap buttons eliminate the need for them. They installed and fit easily on my Gibson Les Paul R8, R9, and R0 and every strap I own was secured perfectly. Great Reverb seller with super-fast communication after my order was placed and a great sense of humor to boot. Package was shipped quickly and, as others have noted, it was filled with some unexpected goodies. A Well-Hung strap purchase is next."

I do get a little push-back from fiddlers concerned about possibly making the strap button hole a bit larger/deeper in their precious six-stringed investment to accommodate the larger/longer screw supplied. But, if you think about it, if you REALLY value that instrument, a set of oversize guitar strap buttons with secure hardware is pretty much the cheapest best insurance you can buy, and save you costs and trouble in the long run. And, I believe even the next owner will likely congratulate you on your wise hardware choice!

 

[Session 5]

Yesterday I sent a strap away to frickin' Hawaii. -30 here right now. I wish I could fold myself into a damn box! I know there are others
who could use a little cheer up too, weatherwise! Some of you folks ain't used to square tires, so bundle up and think warm thoughts!

Been building this one on the side while I was making "Tex" finally got pics and have it listed up in the Well-Hung Reverb store.
Allow me to introduce the latest "No Prisoners" strap Zen Master!

Been sittin' on the belt this one features for a Looonnnnnng time, finally I was inspired! Made this one on black leather, in my Class Act form factor...
This is where my back-buckle pass-thru design makes for guitar friendly and convenient adjustment, 40" to 56" - What a badass buckle it is!

Heavy antique brass, black 'n gold with big ol' rivets all over it. The tail strap has rivets too, but a dark camel upholstery lining covers the backside protecting your guitar from contact. Also the inspiration for the "Zen Master" name... vaguely Japanese style floral embroidery in five sections, on this 3" wide strap. Soft Golds, tiny yellow flowers and is that dank purple kush buds making a trippy scene? Plus, antique brass rivets all along the feature belt too, over a hunnerd of 'em.

Allow me a couple of horn-honks via recent guitarist reactions to my wares

Brett in Nanaimo, BC picked "Champagne Ranch" out of my "ZAP" series from the summer
"This Well-Hung beauty is a strap made for the rock gods. Every detail is well thought out and designed perfectly. Built to last and for comfort!"

Total Baller TTR brother @fitz took a huge flyer, grabbing up three for his 1st Well-Hung purchase.
"Outstanding quality and craftsmanship - beyond my wildest expectations. Brad is a super guy and a pleasure to do business with. I've bought a lot of guitars from a lot of different places, but I doubt I'll ever buy another strap from anyone else. Well-Hung straps ROCK!"

Busy month. Proud /pleased to say I made the modest number quota I set for myself last January. Phew! This means I actually get to keep strapping into 2023 and won't be forced to bolt on the slave collar and go work for The Man. Yay! As you might imagine, a HUGE weight off my mind. Many forum brothers to thank here & elsewhere. If you were a Well-Hung Endorsermentor, watch in early 2023 for my annual draw where you might win straps and/or swag... you know Fake Satchel is fully in!

I will still be facilitating orders through the holidays, probably picking away at a few things too. If you have a Well-Hung rig, celebrate with me!
Why not post a sexy pic of your combo here over the next week or so, with a few words to keep this thread alive? If you manage to make me LOL, I might even add a ballot for you!

Embrace the winter..

 

[TVvoodoo]

No risk bringing this one here, the general demographics of TTR proves there are a whole bunch of elegant and well-mannered men who frequent this forum. If happen to be an exception to the rule, I offer plenty of your kinds of straps too. Just visit my reverb shop!

"The Gentleman" is my typical padded 3" wide, adjusts 45-58, padded, paisley ribbon on leather.
Very luxurious, hefty leather ends, robust, super polite and fully attentive to the needs of a partner.

Blacks, rich browns, creme, dark mustard a bit of gold sparkle too... Now in the Reverb store. Sexy! Without being scandalous.

Happy Friday my brothers!

 

[TVvoodoo]

How 'bout a general build show and tell? Haven't really done for a while have I?

member @fitz and I shot the breeze a bit.. he had an idea... I gave some back, that I thought might make it a bit easier/better, he said okily-dokily, go ahead! Racing stripes that match the graphics and burst finish of a treasured fine vintage instrument in his stable. So highly treasured in fact, he opted for upholstery vinyl, not leather LOL!

On a 3-1/8" padded base of black for the main body, I laid on a couple strips of saddle brown.
Take 'em over to my Consew 206 RB Walking foot (kind of the JCM 800 industrial sewing machines)

First stage, lock down the racing stripes! Sew the strips down as straight as I can, not as easy as you might think. Big Strap has computerized equipment that does this sort of thing a lot more accurately, faster too.... but I surmise with much less brotherly love.

Real good high quality T90 upholstery thread. Probably too good. But I only want to use one type of thread... keeps machine adjustments to a minimum I repair a lot of straps, and can tell you in my experience generally the bigger the company, the cheaper the thread. Not that it seems to make much difference in the end, but I think it's notable.

Come back to the bench and glue on some heavier black leather marked with my makers emblem, as well as some thick leather on the nose end too.

Then, I roll it over, and pad it out in my own proprietary way, with layers of carved foam. Shhhh!!!! Classified info! Cover that with a good non-slip lining and carefully pin it all together for final assembly. While I used vinyl for the main body bits, here you can see a good thick leather on the nose end, lining material sandwiched with an extra layer of leather on the back end where it might touch your gat.

I'll shape the nose end, get the ladder end trimmed also, and get it back on the sewing deck - good double seams front and back for strength.

Pop some holes, will make right-sized straplock holes if asked, but I normally make a bit smaller holes than other but with a larger keyhole slot to accommodate my Pro-Pins, (jumbo strap buttons of my own design which I also offer).

Measure for length range ( in this case the target was 56") I like to make sure there is room to go both ways, and hate hate hate to see straps sitting on the last loop. Most factory ladderback straps end up running about 52". Also, I measure hole-to-hole, not total length. Good thick leather for the tail strap... same stuff as the nose end. This is my pet peeve with so many store-bought straps, flimsy leather that makes you feel like you absolutely require strap locks.

Final photo - I think it's gonna look great on the target instrument, and will be super comfy too. I used to play test each strap, but haven't done that for a few years now. I wish I had more time to play! Also finished this one today, will show up in the store probably tomorrow. Still haven't named it... but I dyed some black and white hootenanny ribbon a soft creme, and sewed it to a velvety leopard base. Kind of kooky, but it works pretty great!

Hope things are well in your world my brothers.