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Anyone Use Slinger Hip Strap or Sling Strap?

#24
I have a Slinger Hip Strap. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to really use it.
Wish I would have read some suggestions about this and ordered it 2" bigger.
I ordered this as the same size as my pants. It don't fit around my fatness.
 
#25
Realize this is an older thread but someone might might find my review helpful...
I started using the hip strap recently because I have chronic left shoulder pain due to a work injury several years ago.
The Hip Strap is an excellent way to remove the the weight off my shoulder and transfer it to my hips.
I still use a shoulder strap with it but it is only there to keep the bass from tipping forward away from my body.
Virtually all the weight is on my hips now.
I am enjoying the feeling of no pressure on my left shoulder as I play and it has helped me become a more focused player. I can concentrate on my technique and the enjoyment of playing rather than the pain.
I don't care what it looks like to other people. I'm not on stage to win a fashion contest.
Of course, YMMV as with anything.
I recommend trying it.
 
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#26
p12bassnut said:
Realize this is an older thread but someone might might find my review helpful...
I started using the hip strap recently because I have chronic left shoulder pain due to a work injury several years ago.
The Hip Strap is an excellent way to remove the the weight off my shoulder and transfer it to my hips.
I still use a shoulder strap with it but it is only there to keep the bass from tipping forward away from my body.
Click to expand...

Hi! I appreciate the review! I have a couple hundred dollars worth of wide or neoprene (or both!) straps which help some, but I still end the night in a lot of pain. I've had back and shoulder surgeries in the last year and am seeing a physical therapist, and working out on my own, but...:(
So, I have been seriously been considering this strap.

I was wondering whether you were using the "Hip Strap" that attaches on the lower horn...and somehow adding a shoulder strap.:

Slinger Hip Strap.png


________________________________________________________________

OR, using the "Slinger with Shoulder" that attaches to the upper horn:

Slinger with shoulder.png


I think I prefer the look of the latter, but don't know how effective it would be at unloading the back. Thanks!!
 
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#27
2cooltoolz said:
Hi! I appreciate the review! I have a couple hundred dollars worth of wide or neoprene (or both!) straps which help some, but I still end the night in a lot of pain. I've had back and shoulder surgeries in the last year and am seeing a physical therapist, and working out on my own, but...:(
So, I have been seriously been considering this strap.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with the this, it is a real challenge for those of us who have to deal with it.
I chose to use the Hip Strap with a regular shoulder strap. Let me explain:
I installed a recessed dunlop strap lock retainer on the lower horn, it is not noticeable unless looked at closely.
I install a dunlop strap lock on the small strap that hooks to the lower horn. No strap lock on the RH strap.
I don the hip strap, positioning the RH strap onto the body strap lock (dual style Dunlop) button,
then attach the lower horn strap lock into the recessed button on the lower horn.
Then I take my regular padded strap (both ends have Dunlop strap locks) and attach as normally - as if I did not have a hip strap)
I do this for 2 reasons:
1) If the hip buckle was to fail for some strange reason then the regular shoulder strap will be a backup so the bass does not fall.
2) The Shoulder strap keeps the bass from tilting away from me. Since the weight of the bass is supported by the hip strap, it does have a tendency to tilt away from the body a bit, not much though.

It does take some adjustment to get both straps just right. Once you get used to a comfortable position of the hip strap you then have to adjust the length of the Shoulder strap so it is not load bearing but is just there to prevent the bass from tilting forward.

It sounds quite complicated but it really isn't. It only takes me an extra 10 seconsd to don the whole system now that I have done it several times.

Be aware that you probably need to give yourself ample time to get used to this system but it is worth it not to have the pain in the shoulder and it's nice to play without the constricting feeling of weight hanging on the shoulder.

I started out in this venture with the shoulder strap in the 2nd pic you posted but found that it really didn't take much weight off the shoulder as I expected. It might work for you.

MY explanation might not be all encompassing so feel free to ask any questions and I also want to mention that Tom at Slinger Straps is excellent to work with.
 
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#29
p12bassnut said:
I chose to use the Hip Strap with a regular shoulder strap. Let me explain:
I installed a recessed dunlop strap lock retainer on the lower horn, it is not noticeable unless looked at closely.
I install a dunlop strap lock on the small strap that hooks to the lower horn. No strap lock on the RH strap.
I don the hip strap, positioning the RH strap onto the body strap lock (dual style Dunlop) button,
then attach the lower horn strap lock into the recessed button on the lower horn.
Then I take my regular padded strap (both ends have Dunlop strap locks) and attach as normally - as if I did not have a hip strap)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed response! I suspected from the way your review was worded that you did something like this. I've always used the Fender style Schaller locks, and am not really that familiar with the Dunlops. I'm sure it will all come clear when I've done a bit of research. What I am getting is that the rear Hip Strap is slid onto the post, then locked in place by the standard strap's lock over the top. I'm off to research it!!
 
#33
Just a couple more Comments to assist in your research.

Based on the Hip Strap design, I can see that it could be an issue if the user has a robust midsection. If so, then the top of the bass will tend to lean away from the body more which could potentially be an issue.
I am mostly flat in my mid so I don’t have that particular challenge.

I find that the belt is most comfortable just above my belt line resting just above my hips. This position puts the bass at just the right height for me. If you tend to wear the bass very high then it might be a challenge to get the hip belt high enough for that position.
 
#34
Thanks! I'm heavier than I want to be, but not quite rotund :D.
I'm a little hesitant about drilling even a flush mount on the bottom. But, if keeps me, and my bass, in the game...
I appreciate your time explaining this option. I may well go this route. Thanks!
 
#35
I understand about the drilling. in my case I figured I would keep this bass for a very long time so not concerned about resale right away. Anyhow if I decide to sell in a few years then it’s going to have the users nicks and scratches on it anyway.
 
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#37
ricardol said:
Back Pain when playing Bass Guitar!
Click to expand...

Thanks! I like it! It looks conceptually similar to the slinger strap, but without the drilling! I'm not sure though, how the waist strap attaches to lower horn loop.

Also, I see that post was almost two years old. I'm assuming you've been using that method with success?? Any further developments?
Thanks again, for posting. Jon
 
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#39
2cooltoolz said:
Thanks! I like it! It looks conceptually similar to the slinger strap, but without the drilling! I'm not sure though, how the waist strap attaches to lower horn loop.

Also, I see that post was almost two years old. I'm assuming you've been using that method with success?? Any further developments?
Thanks again, for posting. Jon
Click to expand...

I did not update the conceptual idea any further... The waist strap is just passing between the lower horn loop and the bass body. This lashing could be improved with a belt loop like this one:
upload_2022-9-2_18-4-44.png
 
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