I was a bit in shock this weekend when this piece broke when I was playing with a violonist...ouch...impossible for me to continue. I was lucky to have a guitar with me and continue to play.

I already wrote to S.E. to get a new one...and a new set of strings. Hoping this piece is available in a "metal" version...

Yeah, there is no good way to play without a belt hook. I believe I heard at FHA that they do make metal ones on occasion, so you may be in luck.

A couple of months ago I was thinking about putting my stick on a stand to play it. Now...hum...I don't want to do it. Can you imagine if this piece breaks and you're not close to your stick...wow...it can falls on the floor...no, no, no...I cross my fingers to get a metal one.

Never heard of o e breaking. You must have been playing something really heavy...

Didn't Larry Tuttle mention this is why he has an old style metal belt hook at the FHA?

I use to play sit on a chair. The song was over and I just moved to stand on my feet and I heard a "crack"...I knew already something was going wrong...I use a special belt to get the stick higher than a normal belt. I don't know if it has an influence on this result. Is it possible that this plastic (whatever the plastic is for) is not drying after years and this way weaker in resistance? I'm just asking...

The stress from having the instrument wedged up against the body when seated is pretty strong. Not good for you or the instrument. Make sure when you are seated that you use a loose belt or lap bar. This will give you a little more space behind the instrument as well for your right hand.

Modern plastic doesn't "gas off" or slowly release fumes as it ages like Bakelite plastic used to, thankfully.

ABS (pretty sure that's what the belt hooks are made of) is really strong stuff that doesn't really have any inherent issues with it. It does however degrade if left in the sun (weakness to UV light), but not a good idea to leave a Stick in the sunlight anyway.

Sounds like the constant flexing from being so tight on the body bent the hook back and forth until it snapped. Since the belt hook is as stiff as it is, probably didn't notice any appreciable wear before this occurred.

I experimented once with using a 4" leather weight lifting belt. I noticed that with the thickness and stiffness of the belt, when tilting the instrument back to get it closer to the body, the angle would actually bend the belt hook. Since you mentioned you wear it higher up on your body, it may be that you have a similar set up and the hook is being bent while you play. I've gone back to a toolbelt style belt that leaves more flex and comfort.

I wear the stick on the side...almost like a guitar...and there is a reason for that...I can't play it vertically...why? Problems with my left shoulder. My belt is tight but a little bit more loose on the side. I guess it's just an accident. I bought a new one today...two in fact...just in case this problem occurs again. I also needed new strings...I want to try heavy gauge instead of the medium I use now.

Thank you all for your advices...it's noted.