Silly question about straps..

Demon · #1 01-03-2007, 08:48 AM

Ok, yes, i got my first strap today. Thing is i dont know how to put it on the bass. Which side should be at the back and which near the neck? Theres one side with a bigger hole, and one side where theres a thing to adjust height of the bass. Also, do i have to unscrew the things before putting the strap on, or should i try to push it throuuugh?

VanillaO · #2 01-03-2007, 09:16 AM

typically the adjusting end goes on the bottom and the fat end on the neck side. If it's strap locks you may have to, otherwise, no you don't have to unscrew them.

Demon · #3 01-03-2007, 09:25 AM

Whats a straplock?

Muusers · #4 01-03-2007, 09:30 AM

a straplock is a little piece on the things, as you refer to them, that prevents your bass to fall when the strap fails.

Demon · #5 01-03-2007, 09:43 AM

Uh.. i still dont understand. How do i know if theyr straplocks? And if the strap falls there surely cant be a way for the bass not to fall? Sounds really weird.
I have a g&l tribute l2500, so maybe someone can look at a pic and tell me if i need to unscrew

VanillaO · #6 01-03-2007, 09:47 AM

If they're normal, they'll just look like little rounded nubbies. Resembling a mushroom kind of. If they're not, they'll probably have a bolt on them (the type that goes with a screw). At least most of the ones I've seen are like that.

Matthew Bryson · #7 01-03-2007, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demon

Uh.. i still dont understand. How do i know if theyr straplocks?

Don't worry about it. If you don't know what strap locks are, then you don't have them. You'd remember purchasing and installing strap locks.

(they are a locking mechanism in two halves - one half replaces the stock strap button on your bass and the other half bolts to the strap so that the strap is locked on when the two half's are put together)

You should just pull your strap onto the strap buttons on your bass. They might be tight, new leather straps often are. As mentioned the part that adjusts usually goes on the back side strap button.

Adjust your new strap so that your bass hangs at approximately the same height that it is at when it rests on your lap when playing while seated. This will give you a consistent feel and allow you maximum ease of playing while encouraging good form that will help you avoid injury.

Demon · #8 01-03-2007, 10:07 AM

Thanks man. Got the strap on, and cant say my shoulders dont feel 100% comfortable;P But i guess its something to get used to. And hey, sometimes ill have to start playing standing, so better get used to it. Currently the center of the body is around hipheight. and i have the neck pointing up slightly diagonally. Is this a good position?

Dragonlord · #9 01-03-2007, 10:22 AM

I wear it higher, body on my stomach, upper horn on my chest. It doesn't look cool but I got over that quickly. Much easier fretboard access.
And yes, you need to practice standing, I didn't until I joined a band and the first month or so was PAINFUL.

Poop-Loops · #10 01-03-2007, 10:22 AM

I like to have the neck point at 45 degrees diagonally. You might have to raise the body more to get more comfortable. But just play around with the length and see what you like.

You might also look into buying a thicker and wider strap. I used a cheap regular 2" strap and it HURT my shoulders it was horrible. Now I have a 3.5" strap and it's a lot better. I don't know what that is in metric, sorry, but it will be almost twice the width of your normal strap.

Dragonlord · #11 01-03-2007, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

Now I have a 3.5" strap and it's a lot better. I don't know what that is in metric, sorry, but it will be almost twice the width of your normal strap.

That should be around 9 cm in metric.
BTW I forgot to mention that I also play with the bass at an angle, around 40 degrees or so.