Got a heavy bass? What strap do you use?

madbassplaya · #1 02-20-2009, 06:46 AM

The title pretty much says it all...

I've got a couple of basses that are on the heavy side and I am needing a comfortable strap to help my back and shoulders after playing a couple of hours.

I'm a big guy, so it needs to be a longer strap...at least 60 inches or so.

I'm currently looking at getting this levys strap. Have you guys had any dealings with that strap?

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...st-?sku=360437

Kaneesel · #2 02-20-2009, 06:58 AM

My advice is.. the wider the better. A wider strap will disperse the weight over more surface area, making it less stressful on your back and shoulders.

Depending on the bass, there may be no way to ever make it not strain your back.

For me, I just deal.

WRXbase · #3 02-20-2009, 07:01 AM

The strap I've had for a long time, is a "Blue Note" strap. It's nice and wide. I can't seem to find them and I don't remember where I got it. (fail)

[edit] so I looked them up again. Finallly found it: this or this . Not sure about the 2nd one, due to the lack of a picture. The first looks exactly like the one I have.

madbassplaya · #4 02-20-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaneesel

My advice is.. the wider the better. A wider strap will disperse the weight over more surface area, making it less stressful on your back and shoulders.

Depending on the bass, there may be no way to ever make it not strain your back.

For me, I just deal.

I realize I will have to deal with some of the weight, but I also know that the strap I have is crap and a wider better strap would be good.

I'm just not having a lot of luck finding a 3 inch wide strap that meets my length requirements.

XtraLongScale · #5 02-20-2009, 07:23 AM

My (currently) three basses range from 10 to 12 lbs and I use a single Comfort Strapp for all of them (thanks to strap locks). It seems a little slippery on the shoulder at first (hardly as bad as a cheap nylon strap) but when you realize that it's not grabbing your shirt, you quickly appreciate it. I can wear my "battletanks" all night with that strap.

Ian Perge · #6 02-20-2009, 07:25 AM

After I had pretty significant back surgery (the removal of a non-cancerous tumor and a good portion of the T7-T9 vertebrae that it had infiltrated) I found myself with real problems playing the 12+ lb. six-string that was my main bass at the time, and picked up a Comfort Strapp. I never had a problem after that in the 5 years that I used that bass every day, and still don't on the occassional time I use that bass. After trying other wide (and very expensive) straps I've found that simply having the width to spread the weight around wasn't enough for me, and that having the "bounce" of the neoprene that the Comfort Strapp is made of as well as the 3.5" width is a large part of what makes it work with heavy basses (I still follow that general rule and use neoprene straps for my other, lighter basses).

Having the combination of the width as well as the "give" of the neoprene bounce I found was essential in using it to be able to play my six. Unfortunately, it looks like even their Extra Long model tops out at 54", so I'd keep looking or go for the Levy's you linked to. I recommend spending a little extra and going for the 3"-wide model, however - I'd even say go for 4" if possible, but it seems hard to find anything wider than 3" in the very long length you need.

RickenBoogie · #7 02-20-2009, 07:25 AM

I got the Comfort Strap for my Tbird. Huge help.

Bintang · #8 02-20-2009, 07:32 AM

Try Franklin Stap www.franklinstrap.com. I have 2 of their Original Series, 2 1/2" & 3" both are 56" long. Very comfortable straps. I found em at GC. MF & GC have them online.

themarshall · #9 02-20-2009, 07:38 AM

In re: comfort strap not long enough- you could buy a comfort strap and a cheapy nylon strap in matching or complimenting colors and splice a bit of the nylon onto the back end of the comfort strap.

Kenny Allyn · #10 02-20-2009, 07:38 AM

I don't have any really heavy basses but I've never seen quality and comfort like the straps made by Eyeland just amazing !!!

As for length, since the are essentially custom straps they can pretty much make anything you could want

... NOT cheap but you get what you pay for

On the other end of the scale is the Planet Waves nylon 3" ... very well made and adjust out to 59.5 inches

... I have and use both of them all the time

BassBob185 · #11 02-20-2009, 07:39 AM

Comfort Strapp but I reverse the ends which give more padding on your shoulder. Doesnt make it look strange, works either end.

Big John66 · #12 02-20-2009, 07:48 AM

I bought that exact strap in 3" width a couple of months ago and it was the best $50.00 I think I've ever spent. It's very soft and made all the difference in holding up my Lakland that's a bit on the heavy side. I'm also a big guy and this strap is plenty long. I'm thinking of getting another one just to have as a backup.

**RedsFan75** · #13 02-20-2009, 07:49 AM

Neotech Mega Bass strap.

A lot like the comfort strap.

By-Tor1000RR · #14 02-20-2009, 07:52 AM

Levy's 3.5" is my favorite. I've had mine for about 11 years and it still looks and feels new.

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #15 02-20-2009, 08:19 AM

I bought a 14-pound Alembic six-string last year, and considering that I'm 6'1" and 150 with a bad back, playing it standing up almost killed me. Tried the Comfort Strapp, but with a really heavy bass like mine the elastic stretches and the 'spring' that makes the strap comfortable is gone. Plus, the fact that the strap stretches means that you can't hang the bass solidly at the height you want it and have it stay there.
I ended up buying a used 4" Moody strap that made the weight and balance manageable -- you still know the bass is there, but it's not a misery to play anymore. New they cost a ton of money, but the product you get for the cash is really nice.

kettch · #16 02-20-2009, 08:22 AM

I also use Comfort Straps on both of my basses...love 'em!

dwanetom · #17 02-20-2009, 08:29 AM

Levys also makes a 4 1/2" strap.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...rap?sku=369224

I use it on my heavy Schecter 5 string. Very comfortable. My other basses I use the 3" Levys.

Jim C · #18 02-20-2009, 08:32 AM

Bought a Levy's padded starp but it's not long enough (nice quality but can't evaluate the padding).

Is there much difference between the Comfort Strap (which is not carried by Music 123 or MF) vs. the Neotech?

Have a 10lb bass that is getting to be a bit much for my 50 year old back.
Also don't think I'll like anything that allows the instrument to bounce around like it's on a rubber band.

Redd · #19 02-20-2009, 08:41 AM

I don't have time to read the responses but i know at my local guitar center they have a really wide strap with this foam..kind of rubber.. Its like the material used in those gel mouse pads. That really helps my back with heavier basses

huido · #20 02-20-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwanetom

Levys also makes a 4 1/2" strap.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...rap?sku=369224

I use it on my heavy Schecter 5 string. Very comfortable. My other basses I use the 3" Levys.

I have that one and a 3" one. Both are padded. Both are great and comfortable. Made of good quality leather also. Those (especially the 3" one) are my everyday strap. All my basses are equipped with Dunlop Straplocks so I switch the strap easily from one bass to another.

Since they're padded it's kind of difficult to attach the strap-side of Dunlop Straplocks on them. But that's something you do just once. It could also be difficult to fold them to place them in your standard case.

I like the 4 1/2" a lot, but I bought the 3" one mostly because I play in a rock band and the 4 1/2" is pretty much an anti-cool looking strap (IMO). And the bass I'm currently using is much lighter that the one that I bought the 4 1/2" for.

Hope that helps.