What's the best strap for a long night on a heavy bass?

Dave R · #1 11-15-2007, 09:12 PM

The older I get, the more my shoulder hurts at the end of a gig. My Chiropractor advised me to switch my strap from side to side during gigs. I do and it helps.

So what's the best strap out there? I tried to get one of these today at Guitard Center (Planet Wave Dare Strap,) but out of stock. Looks like the right idea, but it doesn't look padded. And at $16, it seems a bit cheap.

I await your wisdom.

bassbully · #2 11-15-2007, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

The older I get, the more my shoulder hurts at the end of a gig. My Chiropractor advised me to switch my strap from side to side during gigs. I do and it helps.

So what's the best strap out there? I tried to get one of these today at Guitard Center (Planet Wave Dare Strap,) but out of stock. Looks like the right idea, but it doesn't look padded. And at $16, it seems a bit cheap.

I await your wisdom.

Check out the comfort straps. Most Guitar centers carry them and they are well padded and have stretch also.

Commreman · #3 11-15-2007, 10:44 PM

Neotech works for me. I also like the comfort straps as well.

Dave Muscato · #4 11-15-2007, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

I await your wisdom.

Get rid of the chiropractor and find yourself a real doctor, mate! lol

In all seriousness, there are some *extremely* light-weight basses out there. For playing live, I have found that the bass you use almost doesn't matter... nobody in the audience can tell the difference, anyway, so you might as well choose something comfortable to play on. I got rid of my Modulus Quantum 5 and Spector NS-5 in favor of a Line6 Variax for recording and a Korean-made MTD Artist 5 for performing. The MTD is super light-weight and has a great neck, and these are the things I look for in a bass for performance.

Switching shoulders or finding a wider strap might help, but it's a temporary fix - get to the root of the problem by seeing a doctor, and instead of trying to spread the weight around, why not just fix the real problem and go with something lighter in the first place?

Dave R · #5 11-15-2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

In all seriousness, there are some *extremely* light-weight basses out there.

I see the wisdom. But I'm not sure I can follow. I've been playing my Jazz for 31 years...

I wonder if I could rig 2 comfort straps to behave like that Dare strap...

Dave Muscato · #6 11-15-2007, 11:15 PM

That could work. I was just thinking I should have said in my first post, but I'll say it here, haha:

Patient: "Doc, it hurts my back when I play my heavy bass for 4 hours."
Doc: "Don't play your heavy bass for four hours."

There was a much higher-quality version of that Dare strap in Guitar Player magazines a long time ago, the little classified ads in the back, I mean, but I believe they are discontinued. I don't know what they are called, or where to find one, but maybe somebody else on TB knows?.... I'm sure they are out there.

Dave R · #7 11-15-2007, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Patient: "Doc, it hurts my back when I play my heavy bass for 4 hours."
Doc: "Don't play your heavy bass for four hours."

JamesC · #8 11-15-2007, 11:28 PM

I agree with Dave. A light bass will really help out. I have a Danelectro longhorn, and it clocks in at less then 7 pounds. I hardly notice how much it weighs when I play it.

Also, and I bet you already tried this, get the widest strap that you can. Should better distribute the weight.

73jbass · #9 11-15-2007, 11:38 PM

I just got one of the new Levy's strap with the adjustable shoulder pad. Soft garment leather with a suede backing. Very nice. I also have their garment leather 4 1/2 wide strap that I like too. Great stuff.

EduardoK · #10 11-16-2007, 12:01 AM

My 2'000,000.00 cents:
1- Forget about those heavy imported leather 4" wide straps
2- Comfort straps are the best I've ever used.
3- I have a couple "Y" Dare straps. They work fine too although they are not padded. Not sure they make these anymore though. Try here: support@idare2.com
4- Do a Google search for Michele Morin (in Canada). They manufacture a nice Y type strap also.
4- Go to http://www.heartwoodes.com/
I bought their "Gordo" strap years ago. On first thought you'll say: how can a wooden strap be comfortable? Well, try one. My GORDO strap is unbelievably comfortable for heavy basses.
5- If any of these works for you, PM me and say "Hi, thanks"

waterdog · #11 11-16-2007, 12:07 AM

Neotech will reduce the million small shocks your shoulder takes in a night.

cujjo91 · #12 11-16-2007, 12:14 AM

The Levy m29. 5" wide and lined with foam.

Dave R · #13 11-16-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Also, and I bet you already tried this, get the widest strap that you can. Should better distribute the weight.

Yup. My strap is wide, and padded with gen-yoo-ine wool. So it doesn't make my should sweat. Anymore than the rest of me.

Some good suggestions here. Comforts, Levys, Neotechs...looks like some good options.

Any others?

Sean S · #14 11-16-2007, 02:22 AM

depending on the type of gig, maybe grab a stool or chair...

PastorofMuppets · #15 11-17-2007, 10:19 AM

i got a strap from eyeland enterprises and its awesome
expensive but awesome
memory foam inside and nice leather outside
it couldnt be more comfortable

73jbass · #16 11-17-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cujjo91

The Levy m29. 5" wide and lined with foam.

That's the one I just got. Very nice! And not real pricey.

papajune · #17 11-17-2007, 10:26 AM

i picked up a couple of these from Jim at the atlanta bass gallery and they are hands down the best straps Ive ever used, and ive used a lot. Check them out here, totally worth the investment.

http://www.eyelandenterprises.com/html/straps.html

prattguy · #18 11-17-2007, 10:49 AM

It would also help to work out and strenghten the muscles you put pressure upon, i say this because i suffer from similar problems, and i have noticed that when i´m out of shape (as of RIGHT NOW!!!), my body takes a lot of punishment from playing bass. As a kind of extreme example take a look at the "Strap" that Pete Steele of Type O Negative uses......a FRIGGIN´ CHAIN!!!, i mean that guy is so in shape that he doesnt care´about a comfortable strap. My point is that without trying to become a muscle bound monster, we can get into a routine of exercise, that can help us a lot in terms of stamina for long gigs, handling heavy basses, hauling bulky gear (for those of us who don´t have roadies....YET), and why not? helping our drummer with his/her stuff. That, combined with the use of a good strap, should help a lot.

rdmjazz · #19 11-17-2007, 11:06 AM

Comfort Strapp, the best!
I've been using them for years, the other night I had to play with a regular thin wide leather strap and it about killed my back. I was quickly reminded how comfortable they really are.

Guiseppe · #20 11-17-2007, 11:17 AM

My ex bought me a Moody strap a year or two back and it has made a huge difference for me. The 4" strap seems to disperse the weight a lot better.

In all actuality, a lighter bass would probably be the best solution. I'm a lot like you in that I'm sold on Jazz basses, and that's what I play. I wound up buying a lightweight jazz bass body from Warmoth...the body itself is so light that I can easily heft it with 2 fingers. It's in getting set up at my luthiers, so I can't comment on the total weight w/ pickups, but I'm sure it will be a lot lighter. My back will try and remember to send YOUR back a note when it's done and let you know!