playing dobro standing up question

Ulrich Sinn · Post by **Ulrich Sinn** » 31 Jan 2014 11:48 am

In short, I just can't do it.

What is the secret to keep the neck from wiggling when I pull off/hammer on with my left hand?

Thanks!

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 31 Jan 2014 11:58 am

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... b6e1cd6673

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 31 Jan 2014 12:59 pm

All the tips mentioned in the previous discussion, plus practice. The only way to learn how to play standing up for me was to always play standing up.

Ulrich Sinn · Post by **Ulrich Sinn** » 31 Jan 2014 5:10 pm

Ugh, 250 USD for a Robert Poff strap...this one will have to wait a bit.

The audience will have to put up with me sitting down.

Howard Parker · Post by **Howard Parker** » 31 Jan 2014 5:30 pm

A Webb, made by Beard Guitars is $50. I've used them for 25 years or so.

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Robert Allen · Post by **Robert Allen** » 31 Jan 2014 5:45 pm

longhollowleather.com Used it for years.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 31 Jan 2014 7:09 pm

Love my Poff strap , as I posted in the old thread as referenced by Jeff Mead, but they are pricey.

Along with Howard, it's good to know that 15 time IBMA Dobro Player of the Year Rob Ickes has also been using Webb straps for many years.

Brian McGaughey · Post by **Brian McGaughey** » 31 Jan 2014 7:51 pm

I've got a Webb strap, and what I've been doing for several months now is wearing it when sitting down and keeping it tight by slightly pushing the guitar away from me at all times. I'm able to play halfway decent when standing now! Look ma, no seat!

It just flat out seems to take time and practice.

Greg Booth · Post by **Greg Booth** » 31 Jan 2014 7:56 pm

Plus one to what Brad said. You just have to keep playing standing and eventually it works. If you are coming to the dobro from the steel guitar like I did, you are used to a stationary neck no matter what. Playing standing with a strap is a whole new thing. A few posters in the other thread mentioned this, but one big thing that helps control the neck is to always keep at least your little finger on the strings and don't use more downward force than necessary with your hammers and pull offs. Lifting the bar is more of a pivot on your trailing finger which keeps the neck from going up.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 1 Feb 2014 3:06 pm

i think a big part of playing standing up is anchoring your right arm firmly underneath your strap. keep pressure on your arm. keep downward pressure on your left end also with the strap.
you don't need an expensive strap, just a strong one. i found a thrift store ladies' belt that is wide and curved and adapted it with other assorted leather belt pieces.

Dave O'Brien · Post by **Dave O'Brien** » 1 Feb 2014 7:04 pm

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 2 Mar 2014 5:06 pm

Forum member Mark Roeder makes excellent stands. A stand is much more stable than a strap. I just can't make straps work no matter what I do.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 3 Mar 2014 3:57 pm

maybe dobro is just not your instrument.
standing up is a major part of the fun.

Dave O'Brien · Post by **Dave O'Brien** » 3 Mar 2014 4:11 pm

the point of the dobro on a serving cart is so anyone can take a lead on it while the other instrument hangs from it's strap - I've gotten to like it OK and it's easy to mic.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 3 Mar 2014 4:32 pm

chris ivey wrote:maybe dobro is just not your instrument.
standing up is a major part of the fun.

It is a major part of the fun. And as I've written in the other threads, though I think my Poff strap is the greatest thing since sliced bread for standup dobro players, I wouldn't expect everyone to be able to justify forking out the dough for one, they aren't cheap and have continually gone up in price since I got mine maybe seven years ago.

But there are a number of straps in the $50-$60 range that do a good job.

The right tool for the job always makes a difference. You can loosen a stubborn bolt with a pair of pliers if you're careful not to strip it, but it's a heckuva a lot easier to use the correct size wrench.

You join a softball team and the coach sends you out to centerfield and all you have is a cheesy department store glove with lousy leather and a poorly formed pocket. Man, you've already handicapped yourself before the ball is ever hit to you. Get a good ball glove and practice chasing fly balls.

Get a good dobro strap and practice playing standing up. After a few months of regular practice, even 10-15 minutes a day playing while standing, you won't even think twice about it. If you've practiced for a handful of sessions but give it up in frustration, you haven't done it long enough.

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 3 Mar 2014 10:53 pm

Mark, which Poff strap do you like the best? The all-leather? The one with the swivel, or the hybrid?

Dave Thier · Post by **Dave Thier** » 4 Mar 2014 7:00 am

I'm more comfortable playing standing up with a strap than sitting. Better range of motion.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 4 Mar 2014 9:07 am

Tom Wolverton wrote:Mark, which Poff strap do you like the best? The all-leather? The one with the swivel, or the hybrid?

I only have the one, and it is with the swivel. Plus of the swivel: I think it works great. Minus of the swivel: one needs to be conscious when carrying their guitar by say the neck that it's there, and not allowed to swing freely and possibly bang into your instrument.

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Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 4 Mar 2014 9:12 am

Thanks Mark. Beautiful strap. The Clinesmith is spectacular too.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 4 Mar 2014 10:58 am

yeah...gosh darn it!

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 4 Mar 2014 3:11 pm

I have a swivel on mine too Mark, but it's no where near as flash as yours mate.... plain old Black.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 5 Mar 2014 10:42 am

Paddy Long wrote:I have a swivel on mine too Mark, but it's no where near as flash as yours mate.... plain old Black.

Paddy, my wife bought the strap for me as a Christmas present several years ago and when I ordered it from Bobby Poff, we discussed a couple extras to go with the brown strap. I have worked in the horticulture industry most of my life, and at the time I was with a large wholesale garden rose grower, and I'm big on roses, period. Difficult to see in the photo above of my Clinesmith, there's a rose inlaid on the 12th fret. My e-mail address begins with "rosedobro." You get the picture.

Bobby knew about the rose bit, and when the strap arrived I was blown away upon opening the box. He went above and beyond the call of duty with this baby.

About a year ago the male end of the quick connector buckle was failing. I got a hold of Bobby, sent him the headstock loop and the male end portion that attaches to the belt buckle, He installed his new and improved connector, got it back to me in a few days. Great customer service.

As goes the saying, "when you buy quality, you only cry once."

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 5 Mar 2014 10:52 am

Mark, what kind of strap lock do you like? Mine blew apart.

Greg Booth · Post by **Greg Booth** » 5 Mar 2014 11:04 am

There are two, Schaller and Dunlop. I prefer the Schaller.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 5 Mar 2014 11:10 am

Greg Booth wrote:There are two, Schaller and Dunlop. I prefer the Schaller.

Ditto