How do I spell shoulder/back relief? B-a-s-s b-e-l-t.

lomo · #1 10-01-2009, 01:28 PM

Whenever I sell a bass and mention the extra straplock receiver in the lower body edge for my bass belt I get curious pms. Here's the deal:

I developed bad tendonitis and spasms in my rotator cuff and trapezius-couldn't wear a 7 lb bass for more than 30 minutes without extreme pain-spent $$$$ on light basses-then found this in the back of Bass Player Mag. It's no longer in production, but could be made at home I'm sure. It saved me. Now I can play a 12lb axe all night.....really!

It's basically a weight lifter's belt modified to have a leather tongue that protrudes as shown in the pics. Dunlop straplock anchored to the leather tongue attaches to 3rd recessed straplock receiver in the lower body edge of the bass. It's an easy mod requiring only a 1/8" drill bit for the receiver/hole and a smaller bit to prime the little screw that holds it in place.
When worn with a regular strap, the belt bears 90% of the bass' weight, and the regular strap is simply to keep it in position. When worn it's barely visible in the light, let alone on a dark stage. Easy to jump around with if you like.

lomo · #2 10-01-2009, 01:30 PM

lomo · #3 10-01-2009, 01:31 PM

...next time I'll smile...

mongo2 · #4 10-01-2009, 02:06 PM

Nice idea.

After much searching I have a sub 5 lb bass that doesn't hurt me...yet. But If I had heard of this earlier I would've tried it.

**RedsFan75** · #5 10-01-2009, 08:45 PM

I wear a back brace when I play now, so this type of belt would better than that...

I'll have to see what I can come up with...

humpy thumb · #6 10-01-2009, 09:17 PM

ooooo I LOVE your Elrick.

**RedsFan75** · #7 10-02-2009, 08:13 AM

So how is the leather part attached to the belt?

Just a loop of leather? Interesting..... I suppose the Dunlop strap locks work best for this... I may have to convert from my Shallers....

lomo · #8 10-02-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedsFan75

So how is the leather part attached to the belt?

Just a loop of leather? Interesting..... I suppose the Dunlop strap locks work best for this... I may have to convert from my Shallers....

The belt is cordura nylon over a foam core (leather would be fine, as long as it's rigid). The tongue is sewn on. The only straplock that needs to be a Dunlop is the one on the belt that fits into the recessed one. The regular strap can remain as is.

lomo · #9 10-02-2009, 08:32 AM

Another bonus of this system is that it completely eliminates neck-dive on any bass, because you choose the location of the recessed straplock specifically to provide the balance and playing angle you like. I hold the bass up with 1 finger 1st to find the sweet spot that allows it to hang at 40 degrees, which is my preference, and put the recessed Dunlop receiver at that point.

p12bassnut · #10 10-02-2009, 09:41 AM

Very good idea ! Is this home made or available commercially ?

I no longer need an apparatus such as this but I know there are many that do.

There was a time when I spend alot of time and money trying to find a solution such as this. This is absolutely the best solution I have ever seen

Thank you LOMO for this post. Congratulations to you for finding a fix for the issue!

Perhaps a forum moderator would like to "sticky" this thread, I believe it would be very helpful to many people.

Meddle · #11 10-02-2009, 09:44 AM

They originally made such a device for Jazzmaster guitars I think.

jnuts1 · #12 10-02-2009, 09:47 AM

would that contraption work for someone who wear their bass about 10" higher? no potion of my bass touches my belt area.

FunkMetalBass · #13 10-02-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnuts1

would that contraption work for someone who wear their bass about 10" higher? no potion of my bass touches my belt area.

I imagine you'd just wear the belt up higher or make the tongue of the belt-strap longer.

This is a great idea and would certainly solve my neckdive problems, but it looks like it could be uncomfortable to wear while moving around a lot. I'm still a "20 year old punk" that likes to do a lot of moving on stage.

lomo · #14 10-02-2009, 10:25 AM

There is room for some height adjustability, but only about 4 inches or so. Mine is a commercial model but they're no longer in production :-(

Rip Topaz · #15 10-02-2009, 10:26 AM

It's a shame they don't make 'em anymore. I'm having back issues and this would definitely help!

megadan · #16 10-02-2009, 10:35 AM

Steve Albini and co do this; ostensibly with a regular (albiet very long) strap, wrapped twice around the whole body.

lomo · #17 10-02-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadan

Steve Albini and co do this; ostensibly with a regular (albiet very long) strap, wrapped twice around the whole body.

Link????

megadan · #18 10-02-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

Link????

Straight from the horses mouth:
http://www.electrical.com/phpBB3/vie...=strap#p809227

lomo · #19 10-02-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megadan

Straight from the horses mouth:
http://www.electrical.com/phpBB3/vie...=strap#p809227

Sounds like the same principle, but pics would've been helpful. It seems you'd need a veeery looooong strap.

Kevin_BlueBASS · #20 10-02-2009, 02:21 PM

Great idea!
... wish I saw this before I sold my Traben for being 14 pounds! lol