Cebulla strap with metal hook

[Rick Reed]

Last year I purchased a white Cebulla strap with the metal gold plated hook. It's a great strap, but I have read that metal hooks can wear through strap rings. When I discussed this with Johanne, he told me that the metal he uses for his hook is softer than the brass on the sax. I have started to see some tiny wear (I play a Yanni 992 unlaquered bronze sax).
I'm just wondering how other people are getting on with theirs and if metal hooks are bad for saxes, why are companies like Guardala using them???

Johanne put a plastic sleeve on my hook but it didn't last very long. Is there any thing else I should try before I change it to a plastic hook???

 

[Filton]

Dunno about the damage side of things but I guess you could perhaps get some heatshrink tubing which would be fairly cheap and simple to replace if/when it wears through?

 

[Rick Reed]

Dunno about the damage side of things but I guess you could perhaps get some heatshrink tubing which would be fairly cheap and simple to replace if/when it wears through?

Thanks Filton, thats an option. Would that be like plastic tubing??

 

[Filton]

Yep. Basically it is 'plastic' tubing which you can slide over things and then heat gently with a haridryer or heat gun and it shrinks down to take the shape of whatever it is over. It comes in many many thickneses and styles and colours and is reasonably cheap.

 

[kevgermany]

The problem with soft/hard metals and wear is that the softer metal can pick up hard abrasive particles, which become embedded in it and then wear the harder metal. (As explained to me by my father many years ago - then a mechanical engineer).

But in any case, you'll get wear on both parts, and the strap ring on a sax is usually brass, which is pretty soft as metals go. Moving to a plastic hook is probably better. And there've been no problems with the plastic hook on both my straps, one of which is a Cebulla.

I think you have to accept some wear on the sax's strap ring. But if it's excessive, then act early.

 

[JasonC]

I use Sugru to fix this problem. Its basically like blu-tak but hardens into a silicon substance. I've put some on both my neck strap and on the ring on my sax so there is Sugru wearing against Sugru which is soft and very hard wearing. - www.sugru.com

 

[Rick Reed]

I use Sugru to fix this problem. Its basically like blu-tak but hardens into a silicon substance. I've put some on both my neck strap and on the ring on my sax so there is Sugru wearing against Sugru which is soft and very hard wearing. - www.sugru.com

Thanks Jason......

 

[Rick Reed]

The problem with soft/hard metals and wear is that the softer metal can pick up hard abrasive particles, which become embedded in it and then wear the harder metal. (As explained to me by my father many years ago - then a mechanical engineer).

But in any case, you'll get wear on both parts, and the strap ring on a sax is usually brass, which is pretty soft as metals go. Moving to a plastic hook is probably better. And there've been no problems with the plastic hook on both my straps, one of which is a Cebulla.

I think you have to accept some wear on the sax's strap ring. But if it's excessive, then act early.

I should have gone for plastic really. I can fit one, it just means taking the strap apart and fitting it back together. Thanks, Kevin.

 

[Taz]

I think thats what I'd do. I bought the Cebulla bari strap and chose the plastic carabina type on mine. There has been no wear on the sax or the carabina. I'm still loving the strap too!

 

[Nick Wyver]

Yeah, I'm sure that metal hooks can wear through strap rings, but probably not in my lifetime. I shall continue to use them. A far more present danger is having the sax unexpectedly dumped on the floor by a busted strap hook.

 

[Two Voices]

I should have gone for plastic really. I can fit one, it just means taking the strap apart and fitting it back together. Thanks, Kevin.

How are you thinking of putting it back together? I'm just interested as can't think of a secure and comfortable way.

As for a metal hook wearing through a sax ring. If say it did how long would it take? A few years perhaps. Question for sax tech's - Is it a simple just to replace a ring on a saxophone? Unsolder the damaged ring and resolder a new one? If done during a routine service would it cost much?

 

[c9off]

An alternative solution is to wind (very neatly) strong thread, then double back over.

Many different threads... If you can find a good one it should last a very long time...

 

[jonf]

Yeah, I'm sure that metal hooks can wear through strap rings, but probably not in my lifetime. I shall continue to use them. A far more present danger is having the sax unexpectedly dumped on the floor by a busted strap hook.

Yup. I've got a couple of saxes from the 1920s, and for the vast majority of their life plastic hooks were not available. Metal was the only option. The alto has a small groove where the hook has been, the C Mel none at all, yet both saxes show signs of having been well used. Even the groove on the alo shows no sign of even getting close to breaking point.

Has anyone ever experienced a hook wearing through a sling ring in this way, or is it an urban myth?

 

[Rick Reed]

Yeah, I'm sure that metal hooks can wear through strap rings, but probably not in my lifetime. I shall continue to use them. A far more present danger is having the sax unexpectedly dumped on the floor by a busted strap hook.

Good point Nick, that was my thought....

 

[Rick Reed]

How are you thinking of putting it back together? I'm just interested as can't think of a secure and comfortable way.

As for a metal hook wearing through a sax ring. If say it did how long would it take? A few years perhaps. Question for sax tech's - Is it a simple just to replace a ring on a saxophone? Unsolder the damaged ring and resolder a new one? If done during a routine service would it cost much?

I was thinking of unattatching it from where the chord is glued by the leather collar and unthreading it then putting it back together re-glueing the chord with superglue. Not sure how secure it would make it though!!

 

[Rick Reed]

An alternative solution is to wind (very neatly) strong thread, then double back over.

Many different threads... If you can find a good one it should last a very long time...

Now thats a good idea, I didn't think of that one. Cheers...

 

[Justin Chune]

If ever I get around to ordering one of those straps I will want one with a metal hook.

Jim.

 

[Luluna]

The bari and medium size Cebulla I just received in the mail today had plastic hooks. I didn't see an option from Music Medic to order them with metal hooks anymore....

 

[les3716]

I think thats what I'd do. I bought the Cebulla bari strap and chose the plastic carabina type on mine. There has been no wear on the sax or the carabina. I'm still loving the strap too!

Same here Taz - Brill strap and no prob's.