Strapping your dobro

Sometimes, you have to stand up to play the dobro, like when you play out with a band. There are several commercially made straps available for dobros. Sully's Straps is a great resource for custom made straps for all sorts of instruments, including dobro's. He has some really nice looking straps on his website.

Dobro straps are a bit longer than a regular guitar strap, and some have quick release attachments on them so you can get the strap off to put the dobro in its case. Check out any online music store, like www.fqms.com (First Quality Musical Supply), or www.resophonicoutfitters.com (Beard Guitars), or better yet, www.tandyleather.com and make your own. You can get a really nice custom strap from Bobby Poff. I have seen a couple of these and they are really nice. Check Ivan Rosenberg's site to find his link.

The key to getting your strap adjusted correctly is to set the length when you are sitting down, in your regular playing position. When you stand up, the dobro should then hang on the strap in the same position it was in when you were sitting down. This will keep your wrist angles the same whether you are sitting or standing. If your strap is too short, it will change the angle of your left wrist in relation to the dobro's neck, and this will radically change your sliding style, and you won't sound like you normally do. Read this paragraph again, because it's very important.