Good straps?

KingRazor · #1 09-21-2010, 11:24 PM

I'm looking for a nice strap that will both keep the neck of my bass pointed in the direction I want it to and also take most of the pressure off of my shoulder. My shoulder has gotten tired just from short practice sessions before so I imagine I'll want a nice strap if I ever start gigging.

Darth_Gasseous · #2 09-21-2010, 11:25 PM

I use a wide, thick suede strap. I picked it up at GC a couple of years back.

JimmyM · #3 09-21-2010, 11:41 PM

the most comfy strap i've tried (and i've tried a lot) is the levy's mss2 4. there are several different comfy straps out there, but the mss2 4 is fairly light, very wide, and padded yet stiff, so it works best for me. i have also had good luck with those planet waves 3" padded bass straps but the levy's is a little more comfortable with heavier basses.

ultimately, though, i think you're going to find that you might get some relief, but a heavy bass is still a heavy bass no matter the strap, so you might also want to consider that somewhere down the road.

soong · #4 09-21-2010, 11:46 PM

Check out the MONO range of straps...takes pounds off your bass.

KingRazor · #5 09-21-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

the most comfy strap i've tried (and i've tried a lot) is the levy's mss2 4. there are several different comfy straps out there, but the mss2 4 is fairly light, very wide, and padded yet stiff, so it works best for me. i have also had good luck with those planet waves 3" padded bass straps but the levy's is a little more comfortable with heavier basses.

ultimately, though, i think you're going to find that you might get some relief, but a heavy bass is still a heavy bass no matter the strap, so you might also want to consider that somewhere down the road.

My bass is not really very heavy. It's an Ibanez, and it's one of the lighter basses I've played. I don't have a scale to weigh it with but I'm sure it weighs under 9 pounds (or right around there). I'm not experiencing any pain or anything, my shoulder is just getting tired quicker than I think it should and I've never spent more than, like, $10-$15 on a strap so I'm sure I can get a better one than that.

dogbass · #6 09-22-2010, 12:03 AM

A wider strap will spread the weight out across a greater area of your shoulder and reduce the pressure. Padding helps too, but I've been using 4" straps exclusively for several years now and have no problems with basses weighing near 12lbs. Italia makes a very good strap.
www.italiastraps.com. They are, however, more than $15.

carlos840 · #7 09-22-2010, 03:26 AM

I use Italia straps, good value, well made, will last ages.

Fretlessboy · #8 09-22-2010, 07:00 PM

I use a 4 inch wide Moody... what a dream

Kwesi · #9 09-22-2010, 07:05 PM

Besides the fact that there are like 2 other threads on this extra topic...

This:

http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Waves-P.../dp/B0002GZBLU

cheapest, most adjustable, most comfortable strap I've ever used. I have 3.

drasticDUB · #10 09-22-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Besides the fact that there are like 2 other threads on this extra topic...

ehhh...there are 50 threads on every topic on TalkBass...surprised most that are on here everyday aren't used to that.

I do love the planet waves strap for heavy basses though, I also have one of the 4.5 inch Levy's on the way...excited to see how comfy that is!

Kwesi · #11 09-23-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drasticDUB

ehhh...there are 50 threads on every topic on TalkBass...surprised most that are on here everyday aren't used to that.

I do love the planet waves strap for heavy basses though, I also have one of the 4.5 inch Levy's on the way...excited to see how comfy that is!

haha, quite true. probably why I'm never in the basses forum anymore. I've only been here 4 years and I'm already getting jaded, lol.

okcrum · #12 09-23-2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

haha, quite true. probably why I'm never in the basses forum anymore. I've only been here 4 years and I'm already getting jaded, lol.

True, that.

Italia and Planet Waves here.

Bassflute · #13 09-23-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I'm looking for a nice strap that will both keep the neck of my bass pointed in the direction I want it to and also take most of the pressure off of my shoulder. My shoulder has gotten tired just from short practice sessions before so I imagine I'll want a nice strap if I ever start gigging.

not as BOUNCY as the Comfort strap, and cheaper. Gives over the shoulder, but the rest is stiff. The original stretch strap, still the best, IMHO. I've used them since the mid 80's; have had some REALLY heavy 6 string basses, make my living playing and teaching the bass, so I have it on from 3-10 hours daily. Never had shoulder problems, and I'm now in my 50s.

http://www.neotechstraps.com/product...&CATEGORY_ID=5

Cheers,
Cameron

Need2KnowBasses · #14 09-23-2010, 01:52 PM

I like suede straps myself. Soft and supporting. No need for extra padding.

Need2KnowBasses · #15 09-23-2010, 01:55 PM

Here are some very affordable suede options:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=...ede&sort=price