Buckle Chaff

[Mr Mark]

After awhile you realize the infinite complexities of accordion mirrors life; in that there always problems to solve. I enjoy that.

I don't enjoy the chafing, however.

I have a really nice set of Italian straps on my mid size squeeze, and the strap connector comes up to above mid sleeve.

My lats are being subject to being subject to pointy belt buckle prong, is there such thing as a purposefully made sleeve or do I file it nice and carry on?

Sincerely; I searched the forum and no results - not that that would stop me from posting this anyway!

 

[Dingo40]

I don't enjoy the chafing, however.

Not having ever experienced this problem, I'm having difficulty envisaging what could be causing it?

 

[dak]

After awhile you realize the infinite complexities of accordion mirrors life; in that there always problems to solve. I enjoy that.

I don't enjoy the chafing, however.

I have a really nice set of Italian straps on my mid size squeeze, and the strap connector comes up to above mid sleeve.

My lats are being subject to being subject to pointy belt buckle prong, is there such thing as a purposefully made sleeve or do I file it nice and carry on?

Sincerely; I searched the forum and no results - not that that would stop me from posting this anyway!

Pecs, or it didn't happen. I mean, pics. Without an image it is hard to picture your problem. Usually everything of metal should be pointing away from you or be sunk in:

 

[debra]

There are elastic sleeves that go over the buckle, and also thicker ones that close with velcro (and might catch on your clothing).
The product you want is https://carinidena.it/MS5ECOMMERCE60/jsp/eco_cc_home_bs_portlet.jsp?p=dettarti&codarti=7140 and is probably sold by most accordion dealers.
That said, the buckles should normally not cause any problem while playing unless you are holding the accordion in the wrong position. When the shoulder straps are correctly sized (left one shorter, right one larger) the accordion should rest with the bellows on your left leg and the lower belt buckles should be (above and) between your legs and not touch anything. The top buckles should be close enough to the accordion to not touch your neck either. These sleeves are sold to protect the accordion from accidental scratches when you store the accordion in its case or bag, not to prevent chafing while playing.
There is a simple test you can do: put the accordion on for playing, take your left hand out of the bellow strap and then press some treble keys. They accordion should play by itself (without pulling) thanks to gravity pulling on the free-hanging bass side. If the accordion does not play by itself it means the position is too far to the right (the bass side resting on your leg instead of the bellows on your leg).

 

[Ventura]

for consideration

there have been times when the relative position of a strap
was a problem, or the overall length, which led me to the
Tack shop (Equestrian supply) where one can always find
various lengths and widths of short leather straps and buckles
that match color and can be used to extend, for example, from
the top loop of the accordion, thereby changing the position
of the offending nub an inch lower or so

 

[Mike t.]

My first try was to buying some cheap XL leather gloves and cutting the fingers off and cutting the finger tips off to make a tube to slip over the buckles, they worked but the stitching started to unravel, my next try was having my wife, (Miss Betty Crocker) sew some leather tubes from some thin soft stuff. They are treated with some homemade beeswax and Vaseline leather dressing that makes them stretchy? I slipped them over strap while it was unbuckled then over after buckled. The dimensions were about 3-3/4” square with a 1/4” seam allowance. Bigger buckles 4” square. Ol’ Betty Crocker is more than a great cook!

 

[breezybellows]

My first try was to buying some cheap XL leather gloves and cutting the fingers off and cutting the finger tips off to make a tube to slip over the buckles, they worked but the stitching started to unravel, my next try was having my wife, (Miss Betty Crocker) sew some leather tubes from some thin soft stuff. They are treated with some homemade beeswax and Vaseline leather dressing that makes them stretchy? I slipped them over strap while it was unbuckled then over after buckled. The dimensions were about 3-3/4” square with a 1/4” seam allowance. Bigger buckles 4” square. Ol’ Betty Crocker is more than a great cook

I've faced a similar problem and I did cut a leather glove to cover the buckles. The culprit was the buckle on the top (close to my chin). These buckles came with a roller and my beard used to get caught in it. It used to hurt like a #$%$#@. The glove solution worked fine. But I didn't really match the color of the glove with the straps. So mine stood out like patchwork.

Note: picture of buckle for illustration. Not the actual buckle on my strap.

 

[JerryPH]

I have something similar on my bigger boxes, not for chafing issues but to prevent any possibility of the buckles scratching anything. I have both the velcro and elastic styles ones.

They say that the elastic ones are better, but I really prefer the velcro models because it gives a slightly better level of adjustability and can be made tighter. Over time the elastic ones will also just stretch, at which time I convert those to velcro.

 

[Mike t.]

I've faced a similar problem and I did cut a leather glove to cover the buckles. The culprit was the buckle on the top (close to my chin). These buckles came with a roller and my beard used to get caught in it. It used to hurt like a #$%$#@. The glove solution worked fine. But I didn't really match the color of the glove with the straps. So mine stood out like patchwork.

Years ago, I thought I really wanted to play a chromatic harmonica, I saved up and got one. Driving home from the music store I took it out and started playing it. The Spring loaded sliding button shifter on the end was pushed to change the pitch a half step and when I let go my mustache hair got caught in the mechanism and I frantically had to push the button over and over to get my hair out of if. What I learned is it’s hard to drive with a harmonica hanging from you lip and tears in your eyes!

 

[Glug]

Spotted this earlier: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18154554...MTYC0K&hash=item2a44f53f85:g:WCkAAOSwcUBYK3~n

 

[Waldo]

I have these on all my boxes. They are , however, to protect the box, not me, as seen in top picture.
They do make uncoupling the buckle a real pain (no need for that exercise anymore with the quick release system).