The older I get, the more my shoulder hurts at the end of a gig. My Chiropractor advised me to switch my strap from side to side during gigs. I do and it helps.

So what's the best strap out there? I tried to get one of these today at Guitard Center (Planet Wave Dare Strap,) but out of stock. Looks like the right idea, but it doesn't look padded. And at $16, it seems a bit cheap.

I await your wisdom.

The older I get, the more my shoulder hurts at the end of a gig. My Chiropractor advised me to switch my strap from side to side during gigs. I do and it helps.

So what's the best strap out there? I tried to get one of these today at Guitard Center (Planet Wave Dare Strap,) but out of stock. Looks like the right idea, but it doesn't look padded. And at $16, it seems a bit cheap.

I await your wisdom.

Check out the comfort straps. Most Guitar centers carry them and they are well padded and have stretch also.

Neotech works for me. I also like the comfort straps as well.

I await your wisdom.

Get rid of the chiropractor and find yourself a real doctor, mate! lol

In all seriousness, there are some *extremely* light-weight basses out there. For playing live, I have found that the bass you use almost doesn't matter... nobody in the audience can tell the difference, anyway, so you might as well choose something comfortable to play on. I got rid of my Modulus Quantum 5 and Spector NS-5 in favor of a Line6 Variax for recording and a Korean-made MTD Artist 5 for performing. The MTD is super light-weight and has a great neck, and these are the things I look for in a bass for performance.

Switching shoulders or finding a wider strap might help, but it's a temporary fix - get to the root of the problem by seeing a doctor, and instead of trying to spread the weight around, why not just fix the real problem and go with something lighter in the first place?

In all seriousness, there are some *extremely* light-weight basses out there.I see the wisdom. But I'm not sure I can follow. I've been playing my Jazz for 31 years...

I wonder if I could rig 2 comfort straps to behave like that Dare strap...

That could work. I was just thinking I should have said in my first post, but I'll say it here, haha:

Patient: "Doc, it hurts my back when I play my heavy bass for 4 hours."
Doc: "Don't play your heavy bass for four hours."

:D

There was a much higher-quality version of that Dare strap in Guitar Player magazines a long time ago, the little classified ads in the back, I mean, but I believe they are discontinued. I don't know what they are called, or where to find one, but maybe somebody else on TB knows?.... I'm sure they are out there.

Patient: "Doc, it hurts my back when I play my heavy bass for 4 hours."
Doc: "Don't play your heavy bass for four hours.":eek::eek: :D

I agree with Dave. A light bass will really help out. I have a Danelectro longhorn, and it clocks in at less then 7 pounds. I hardly notice how much it weighs when I play it.

Also, and I bet you already tried this, get the widest strap that you can. Should better distribute the weight.

I just got one of the new Levy's strap with the adjustable shoulder pad. Soft garment leather with a suede backing. Very nice. I also have their garment leather 4 1/2 wide strap that I like too. Great stuff.

My 2'000,000.00 cents:
1- Forget about those heavy imported leather 4" wide straps
2- Comfort straps are the best I've ever used.
3- I have a couple "Y" Dare straps. They work fine too although they are not padded. Not sure they make these anymore though. Try here: support@idare2.com
4- Do a Google search for Michele Morin (in Canada). They manufacture a nice Y type strap also.
4- Go to http://www.heartwoodes.com/
I bought their "Gordo" strap years ago. On first thought you'll say: how can a wooden strap be comfortable? Well, try one. My GORDO strap is unbelievably comfortable for heavy basses.
5- If any of these works for you, PM me and say "Hi, thanks"

Neotech will reduce the million small shocks your shoulder takes in a night.

The Levy m29. 5" wide and lined with foam.

http://www.adirondackguitar.com/straps/levy_m29s.jpg

Also, and I bet you already tried this, get the widest strap that you can. Should better distribute the weight.Yup. My strap is wide, and padded with gen-yoo-ine wool. So it doesn't make my should sweat. Anymore than the rest of me.

Some good suggestions here. Comforts, Levys, Neotechs...looks like some good options.

Any others?

depending on the type of gig, maybe grab a stool or chair...

i got a strap from eyeland enterprises and its awesome
expensive but awesome
memory foam inside and nice leather outside
it couldnt be more comfortable

The Levy m29. 5" wide and lined with foam.

http://www.adirondackguitar.com/straps/levy_m29s.jpg

That's the one I just got. Very nice! And not real pricey.

i picked up a couple of these from Jim at the atlanta bass gallery and they are hands down the best straps Ive ever used, and ive used a lot. Check them out here, totally worth the investment.

http://www.eyelandenterprises.com/html/straps.html

It would also help to work out and strenghten the muscles you put pressure upon, i say this because i suffer from similar problems, and i have noticed that when i´m out of shape (as of RIGHT NOW!!!), my body takes a lot of punishment from playing bass. As a kind of extreme example take a look at the "Strap" that Pete Steele of Type O Negative uses......a FRIGGIN´ CHAIN!!!, i mean that guy is so in shape that he doesnt care´about a comfortable strap. My point is that without trying to become a muscle bound monster, we can get into a routine of exercise, that can help us a lot in terms of stamina for long gigs, handling heavy basses, hauling bulky gear (for those of us who don´t have roadies....YET), and why not? helping our drummer with his/her stuff. That, combined with the use of a good strap, should help a lot.

Comfort Strapp, the best!
I've been using them for years, the other night I had to play with a regular thin wide leather strap and it about killed my back. I was quickly reminded how comfortable they really are.:hyper:

My ex bought me a Moody strap a year or two back and it has made a huge difference for me. The 4" strap seems to disperse the weight a lot better.

In all actuality, a lighter bass would probably be the best solution. I'm a lot like you in that I'm sold on Jazz basses, and that's what I play. I wound up buying a lightweight jazz bass body from Warmoth...the body itself is so light that I can easily heft it with 2 fingers. It's in getting set up at my luthiers, so I can't comment on the total weight w/ pickups, but I'm sure it will be a lot lighter. My back will try and remember to send YOUR back a note when it's done and let you know!

Neotech works for me. I also like the comfort straps as well.
+ 1

I've got one of each and like both a lot for comfort, but like the Neotech the best for combination of really having the look and feel of a finished product.

Don't read this at all as a lack of support for Comfort Strapps though as they are possibly a tiny bit more comfortable; maybe. :)

Comfort Strapp has been the best for me and my Trib 2500. I love the look of the Eyelander straps but skiddish on letting go of that kind of bank to see if they are just as or better. I would love to have something that looks like the Eyelander straps and felt as good and better than what I currently use.

Comfort Strapp has been the best for me and my Trib 2500. I love the look of the Eyelander straps but skiddish on letting go of that kind of bank to see if they are just as or better. I would love to have something that looks like the Eyelander straps and felt as good and better than what I currently use.


they do
no doubt
about it
they are as comfortable as anything on the market
and well worth the "bank"

This is the most comfortable strap I have ever owned. I have two of the 4" wide ones. The suede lining stops the strap from slipping.

http://www.tangostrap.com/

I got one of these from GC recently for my GTBD7 bass...."comfort strapp"

It was inexpensive, and good neoprene cushion.

http://www.comfortstrapp.com/img/bassGuitarV.jpg

Comfort Strapp has been the best for me and my Trib 2500. I love the look of the Eyelander straps but skiddish on letting go of that kind of bank to see if they are just as or better. I would love to have something that looks like the Eyelander straps and felt as good and better than what I currently use.
I just finished looking at the Eyelander site and would love to get my hands on one.

The quality and appearance seem to be very high and to my eye at least, even more appealing than the excellent straps by Levys.

1) Get a Comfort Strapp
2) Get a lighter bass
3) Work out more. Do shoulder shrugs and core work.

1) Get a Comfort Strapp
2) Get a lighter bass
3) Work out more. Do shoulder shrugs and core work.1) Will do.
2) Can't do. I can't give up the Jazz. Too much love. I read about bassists who struggle to get a good live sound, and I've rarely had that problem.
3) Will do. I work out regularly, but its all aerobic. Will do shoulder conditioning stuff.

For about the same price and comfort take a look at the Neotech Mega strap.

I have both and just find the Neotech to have a bit less of a homemade look to it. Really nice thick leather ends too.

For your shoulders, one of the excercises I do every night before a gig which helps keep me loose all night and allows me to focus more on my singing/playing is to do an over-the-head-with-the-legs stretch, laying down.

Particularly if you turn your head to each side you will get incredible stretch happening in your upper back, shoulders and neck.

I've been doing that one for 30+ years now.

It would also help to work out and strenghten the muscles you put pressure upon, i say this because i suffer from similar problems, and i have noticed that when i´m out of shape (as of RIGHT NOW!!!), my body takes a lot of punishment from playing bass. As a kind of extreme example take a look at the "Strap" that Pete Steele of Type O Negative uses......a FRIGGIN´ CHAIN!!!, i mean that guy is so in shape that he doesnt care´about a comfortable strap. My point is that without trying to become a muscle bound monster, we can get into a routine of exercise, that can help us a lot in terms of stamina for long gigs, handling heavy basses, hauling bulky gear (for those of us who don´t have roadies....YET), and why not? helping our drummer with his/her stuff. That, combined with the use of a good strap, should help a lot.^^good point. I used to get shoulder pain (It's more clavicle pain than shoulder pain but we'll just call it that since nobody knows what a clavicle is) from even the shortest of shows (<1hr), but since I've turned into a lifter I never get shoulder pain even after hours with my little 2" unpadded strap.

The muscles you want to strengthen are your upper and middle trapezius. Ideally you would work these with High Pulls:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFznMk35-EQ

Or straight shrugs, but those never worked as well for me. I'm assuming you don't want to get into full-on Olympic Lifting, which would be the best thing.

I got one of these from GC recently for my GTBD7 bass...."comfort strapp"

It was inexpensive, and good neoprene cushion.

http://www.comfortstrapp.com/img/bassGuitarV.jpg

Have two of these. Excellent recommendation!

And +1 on the Danalectro recommendation. My buddy (who now plays keys in one of the bands I'm in) switched from bass to keys because he'd done permanent damage with 20+ years of a wearing a classic StingRay -- often 6 nights a week. Now, when he plays bass he's using Dano 'cuz it's so light.



dcr

I have extra wide black and white planetwaves straps on my basses. They make it comfortable to play my heavy warwick corvette all night, so i think they are pretty good

I have a Fender Neophrene Strap, and it's nice and wide, and it "locks" with your shoulder so you don't have to support neckheavy basses with your hand. It's not extremly pretty though...

no one likes my stool idea? :(

The older I get, the more my shoulder hurts at the end of a gig. My Chiropractor advised me to switch my strap from side to side during gigs. I do and it helps.

So what's the best strap out there? I tried to get one of these today at Guitard Center (Planet Wave Dare Strap,) but out of stock. Looks like the right idea, but it doesn't look padded. And at $16, it seems a bit cheap.

I await your wisdom.


I have a very nicely broken in and soft wide leather strap. It's very comfy.

I use Dunlap locks. Never had a problem.

no one likes my stool idea? I LOVE your stool idea. Problem is, the band hates it.

I LOVE your stool idea. Problem is, the band hates it.

Band Opinion Vs. Your Health...

just sayin ;)

I'll add another one for the Comfort Strapp.

I've tried a few different straps, and this is the one I settled on.

A lighter bass does help, but a well balanced bass that fits your body helps more. I'll take an extra pound or two if the bass balances well on my body. For exaple, I owned a Steinberg Spirit which is one of the lightest basses out there, but iut was very uncomfortable for me to play. It didn't fit my body, and the proportions of it made me play in different hand/body positions that caused more discomfort even though it was the lightest bass I own.

I have a Fender Neophrene Strap, and it's nice and wide, and it "locks" with your shoulder so you don't have to support neckheavy basses with your hand. It's not extremly pretty though...


I use this same strap, and it's working out great. I have a herniated disk and thought about going with a lighter bass (Steinberger) but tried the Fender strap first. I am now playing Jazzes with no issues.

http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=0990663000

I recently tried the comfort strap and didnt like it - to squishy and flexible...

I got a 3" wide double layered Levy's leather strap from guitar center - makes my bass seem to float!