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I also cultivated a love for traditional, acoustic music, and played a couple of intruments myself. As I traveled around to some music festivals and began to network with some other musicians, I noticed that some of the most beautiful instruments played by highly talented artists, were hanging on very modest, if not poorly constructed straps - sometimes no more than someone's belt or purse strap. 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, and delivered it in 2003. I called it the "Star Strap" because the rhinestones on a background of black suede sparkle like stars under the stage lights. Soon after that I had opportunity to design and build straps for other musicians who desire instrument gear made just the way they like it too.
By mid 2004, I turned the craft into a handcraft business and incorporated under the name of CT Music Straps. Meanwhile, some of our clients wanted custom lettering styles on their straps, so later that year, I contacted a freelance professional designer, Trish Taylor, who played with her husband's bluegrass band, was noted for some fine photography work at festivals, and her beautiful handscribed calligraphy. She agreed to design some scripts for me and I continued to utilize her design expertise not only in calligraphy, but to co-design with me and offer art and design advice.
Ever since 2005, CT Music Straps has offered calligraphy design consultation as part of the custom selection process. If the design is highly intricate, CT along with Trish Taylor, are available to assist with your special lettering effects. Trish is a former president of Capital City Scribes, a calligraphy guild based in Austin, Texas. You can see more of her work on her design team calligraphy page. 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 various galleries.
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.