Where can I buy a weighted strap?

SalmonKing · #1 06-04-2011, 01:22 PM

My J bass has neck dive like nobody's business. Someone in another thread mentioned straps that come with weights to counteract the neck dive, but I haven't been able to find them at any of online stores I've checked, or local stores. Here's my ideal strap:

--Black leather

--VERY wide, THICKLY padded (it would be almost impossible to go too far in either of these categories)

--Weighted to counteract neck dive

I don't expect anybody to do my research for me, but if you happen to already know something that fits the bill, please help me out. Thanks.

walterw · #2 06-04-2011, 05:42 PM

before you do that, try something that will make more of a difference, installing lightweight tuning keys.

out at the end of that long "lever arm" of the neck, a little weight removed makes more difference than a lot of weight added at the bridge end.

fhm555 · #3 06-05-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

before you do that, try something that will make more of a difference, installing lightweight tuning keys.

out at the end of that long "lever arm" of the neck, a little weight removed makes more difference than a lot of weight added at the bridge end.

+1

SalmonKing · #4 06-05-2011, 10:37 AM

Will it affect the bass's ability to stay in tune?

tk421 · #5 06-05-2011, 12:40 PM

another thing to try, if you are not squeamish about modding your bass - raise the rear strap button an inch or two.

john grey · #6 06-05-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk421

another thing to try, if you are not squeamish about modding your bass - raise the rear strap button an inch or two.

Or add an additional button.
Generally, I've always made my straps. it's easy working w/ leather and a swade or roughened leather strap will often stay in place where a smooth cloth or synthetic one will tilt all over. It beats spending $60 for something that actually only costs $10. You really don't need weights (IMO).

Rockingbird · #7 06-05-2011, 03:05 PM

Or loop the strap through your belt. I really can't advocate that enough.

bass rocks · #8 06-05-2011, 03:17 PM

this thread is very silly just get gotoh light weight tuners

Mod edit: please don't make me figure out politically correct adjectives.

walterw · #9 06-05-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalmonKing

Will it affect the bass's ability to stay in tune?

most lightweight keys are from top companies like gotoh, schaller or hipshot, so no.

(besides, tuning stabiliy is way more about the setup in general, and the nut slots in particular, than the keys themselves.)

staindbass · #10 06-06-2011, 08:17 AM

take off your present tuners to see if it still dives. if it does, lighweight expensive tuners wont help. i thought the weighted strap was a clever idea. or a strap with something rough attached where it rests on your shoulder so it grips. maybe a 1 inch wide strip of the green kitchen scouring pad might be enough. my singer has some sandpaper/grip tape on his acoustic guitar where it rests on his leg so it doesnt slide off but it eats holes in his pants lol. johnny a. staind

staindbass · #11 06-06-2011, 08:21 AM

im suprised no one sells strap button extenders. something that will extend the strap button on the horn out 2 inches with a long screw to help balance. look at the parts drawers @ home deblow, you should be able to find something like a hollow tube you can cut and find a longer screw for.

Pilgrim · #12 06-06-2011, 08:35 AM

Heads Up Strap

I would only use a weighted strap if the instrument is quite light. You don't want to be holding an anvil up with your shoulder all night.

SalmonKing · #13 06-06-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staindbass

take off your present tuners to see if it still dives. if it does, lighweight expensive tuners wont help. i thought the weighted strap was a clever idea. or a strap with something rough attached where it rests on your shoulder so it grips. maybe a 1 inch wide strip of the green kitchen scouring pad might be enough. my singer has some sandpaper/grip tape on his acoustic guitar where it rests on his leg so it doesnt slide off but it eats holes in his pants lol. johnny a. staind

I'm going to try your scouring pad idea, with the addition of a scratchy shirt, as a stopgap measure so I can at least practice today without wanting to throw my bass out the window.

Thanks for all the ideas so far, guys.

DavidD · #14 04-20-2012, 08:34 PM

Currently,... I've heard a lot of good ideas, brainstorming and sharing with all our heavy neck diving basser's is great to help each other solve our Bass to bass issues...
I am currently looking to invent a strap design especially for those of us whom own a Heavy neck bass, Although I've heard some good ideas,.. most of them required adding weight to one end,(Weighted straps, or extended or extra buttons).. or removing weight from the other (Removing original equipment and replace with some after market lighter product) either way both sound unfavorable to me, Basses are generally heavy enough so why add more ?, or why change the Bass from "ALL Original" to "Modified bass" ? and there were some that had simpler methods such as roughing up a good leather strap so as to not slip from the shoulder(Hm..Ok) So I started thinking about the movement of the bass under the gravity weight of the neck, and started brainstorming ideas to create a strap design that would be comfortable to wear and yet be very effective in holding the bass in position once the hands let go of the instrument.... Give it some thought... I will patent it soon !!!

darius8 · #15 04-20-2012, 09:11 PM

I have a carabiner clip attached to my strap where it meets my belt loops on my jeans. The bass ain't going nowhere. I have to remember to unclip myself when putting the bass down.

Rocky McDougall · #16 04-20-2012, 11:19 PM

Go to a exercise store where they sell ankle weights. they are cloth covered 1/2 lb. weights with Velcro straps. Very easy to add weight to the strap.
Rocky

walterw · #17 04-20-2012, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidD

why change the Bass from "ALL Original" to "Modified bass" ?

because lightweight keys usually solve the problem, and without weird baby-harness straps, shoulder-fatiguing added weights, or grippy straps that pull the back of your shirt up all night

Stilettoprefer · #18 04-20-2012, 11:54 PM

I don't see why everyone gets so bent up about a neck heavy bass. My P falls to the floor when i let go of the neck, but it still weighs under 8 pounds and is less fatiguing than my perfectly balanced Schecter. Same deal with my tele and strat.

The neck is in your hand while you're playing, that will keep it from sinking. and its free! Adding weight will just make a different problem that is more fatiguing, while not fixing the original one.

DavidD · #19 04-21-2012, 04:34 AM

Carabinier clip..... Now I love that idea ! Simple and effective !

Kudos Darius8 !

1958Bassman · #20 04-21-2012, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darius8

I have a carabiner clip attached to my strap where it meets my belt loops on my jeans. The bass ain't going nowhere. I have to remember to unclip myself when putting the bass down.

So, that means you don't fling it around your neck the way Steve Vai did in that video, right? That could really send you flying!