Looking for a comfy & reasonably cheap strap

Dharma_bass · #1 06-03-2007, 10:47 AM

OK folks

New bass player here. I have a 4 string Hartke, which is relatively light (compared to the entry-level Ibanezes I checked out), but it came with a truly awful nylon strap with "pleather" ends. I've only had my bass for a few days and the crummy strap is falling apart.

So, I'm wondering if you folks might recommend a comfy and reasonably cheap (<$30) strap. I'm a girl, fairly narrow shouldered but a little chubby

and I wear the bass relatively high when I stand, so I don't need anything particularly long.

Muchas gracias in advance.

**Blackbird** · #2 06-03-2007, 10:56 AM

Carvin's "Deluxe" Strap is only $12.99. I've had one for years and it's still usable.

blizzard · #3 06-03-2007, 10:59 AM

I have Dunlop strap and its served me well for about 4 years... although the bass I use it with is fairly light. If you play a Warwick maybe not.

fourstringbliss · #4 06-03-2007, 11:07 AM

I've had the one at the bottom right of this page for three years now with no problems. It's nice leather, nice padding, and cheap! It makes heavy basses feel like light ones, and light ones feel like nothing. It's been a long time since I've seen this website and I had forgotten how cheap it really was!

Bassplayer_479 · #5 06-03-2007, 11:08 AM

Neotec makes some great cheaper straps:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...rap?sku=367504

Should be fine for what you need, it has plenty of padding and is quite adjustable...

SGT. Pepper · #6 06-03-2007, 12:56 PM

Planet Waves 3 inch comfort strap.

IconBasser · #7 06-03-2007, 01:31 PM

I have a DR levi's strap that works extremely well.

Dharma_bass · #8 06-03-2007, 01:55 PM

Wow, guys! I'll check them out. Thanks!

BenderR · #9 06-03-2007, 02:40 PM

If you can find a bargain on an "Italia" strap it's well worth the price ($50 or so) and a 4" strap makes a bass seem light.

savit260 · #10 06-03-2007, 02:47 PM

Check out these cotton woven Levy's straps with suede leather ends. They run around $10. Very comfy. I gig all the time with these, and they are durable , inexpensive, and very well made. More gigs than I can count using these straps. All my basses wear Levy's. Most use this version. One has a much more Levy's expensive leather strap. You can get them at any Guitar Center .

http://www.levysleathers.com/2007%20...20Catalog.html

Click on Basic, then cotton.

Lot's of diffent colors and patterns to choose from.

rfclef · #11 06-03-2007, 02:57 PM

I sure like these: http://www.samash.com/catalog/imagep..._lms12blkx.jpg

http://www.levysleathers.com/2007%20...20Catalog.html

I guess I gravitate towards the simple... Everytime I get a strap, I wind up with one of these... 3 basses, 3 of the MS12... one beige, one brown, one black (they come in other colors). My basses are all light, and these sure feel nice... Myabe not on a heavier bass...

fourstringbliss · #12 06-03-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dharma_bass

Wow, guys! I'll check them out. Thanks!

Whatever you do, get some straplocks on there. Dunlop or Schaller (I use Dunlop and they're great!). Then you don't need to worry about what kind of holes are in the end of the strap and whether they'll hold on to the strap buttons.

rfclef · #13 06-03-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

Whatever you do, get some straplocks on there. Dunlop or Schaller (I use Dunlop and they're great!). Then you don't need to worry about what kind of holes are in the end of the strap and whether they'll hold on to the strap buttons.

I have never had any feeling or fear that the MS12s were gonna come off at all.. they sure fit on snug, and take a lot of effort to get off. Course, I ain't thrashing around on stage or anything... but does everybody use straplocks?

Poop-Loops · #14 06-03-2007, 03:20 PM

Duct tape a pillow to any regular strap. Problem solved.

fourstringbliss · #15 06-03-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfclef

I have never had any feeling or fear that the MS12s were gonna come off at all.. they sure fit on snug, and take a lot of effort to get off. Course, I ain't thrashing around on stage or anything... but does everybody use straplocks?

I've never had a strap release a bass, but I sure feel better leaning over to make any kind of pedal adjustment with the straplocks.

savit260 · #16 06-03-2007, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

I've never had a strap release a bass, but I sure feel better leaning over to make any kind of pedal adjustment with the straplocks.

Oh, I have. Went without them for years, and then it all caught up on me. Caught my vintage Precision right before it was about to hit the stage, after it came off the strap. Too close for me. Add to that the inconvenience of trying to finish up a song while trying hold the bass up without a strap.

Everything has straplocks now.

DeathHands · #17 06-03-2007, 05:46 PM

Yamaha Air Cell strap. Very good for the 25USD I paid for it. My MIM Jazz is a beast, and it handles the weight easily.

SGT. Pepper · #18 06-03-2007, 06:12 PM

Planet Waves Comfort strap. $19.99 to boot!

vinny · #19 06-04-2007, 12:30 PM

This one's the best for me: http://www.darestrap.com/

Dharma_bass · #20 06-05-2007, 04:56 PM

Hey thanks to all of you who provided feedback.

I went to my local Sam Ash and browsed their extensive selection of straps. I ended up picking, to my surprise, the Demarzio 2.5" strap (made of the same material as seatbelts, just a little softer and thinner) and a couple of Dunlop Ergo Strap Locks. Total damage: $16.

My shoulder feels better already.