Our Company
Hi! This is C. T. Strickland Jr, President and founder of CT Music Straps Inc. During the 1970's in addition to drawing and oil painting, I became interested in leathercraft. I crafted everything from wrist bands, belts, wallets, and purses, to gun holsters, and leather cases. I specialized in made to order custom articles not so easily found in stores. I found that in a society where so much is mass produced and imported, there are still people who appreciate the made to fit items that require a skilled craftsman.
Over the years I have also cultivated a love for traditional, acoustic music, and wondered if the artists in these genres had need for custom instrument gear and accessories. I discussed this concept of designer custom show straps with Bluegrass/Country Recording Artist, Rhonda Vincent, who at the time was searching for just such a strap for her mandolin. We agreed that a custom-designer instrument strap was very much a part of your public image, and she seemed excited to get started. But functionality was a must and the strap had to be comfortable and stand the relentless road tour that Rhonda is known for. After Rhonda and I discussed her design ideas, I built a custom suede leather and rhinestone mandolin strap to her specifications. I called it the "Star Strap" because the rhinestones on a background of black suede sparkle like stars under the stage lights. Since that day I have designed and built straps for other musicians who desire instrument gear made just the way they like it.
When it comes to musical instrument straps one size or type doesn't necessarily suit all. In order to better serve our clients, CT Music Straps now offers design consultation as part of the custom selection process. For custom calligraphy style lettering, Trish Taylor, a freelance professional calligraphy designer is available to assist with your special lettering effects. Trish is the current president of Capital City Scribes, a calligraphy guild based in Austin, Texas.
Another designer that works with our clients is Heather Boynton, who specializes in Swarovski crystal embellishment. Heather has years of designing and crafting high quality equine show apparel. She works with our clients to help them achieve that element of fashion from simple border designs to custom patterns and rhinestone lettering. Please feel free to browse the site for examples of our custom straps which can be found under artist testimonials, our design team pages, and of course our gallery.
We will build for you a made to order, complete custom, one feature choice at a time or you can review our custom packages on our product pages. If you are interested in our custom instrument gear or have questions, please contact us. We will also be happy to email you a free price quote.
Thanks
CT Strickland Jr.
CT Music Straps Inc.