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Duostrap Sig/ Neo

#42
Figured I should update:

I received my extra-long extension for the Neo yesterday, and its perfect. Brings the strap to the perfect length for me, since the standard length leaves it feeling a bit short. That's fine if you wear your bass super high, but I wear mine closer to my waist.

If you wear your bass lower, be sure to order the extra-long tailpiece. It makes the strap a LOT less frustrating to setup for those that prefer a longer strap. You still can't wear it at your knees but that's not the purpose here, anyway.
 
#43
Hey all, I was talking with Jay at Gruv Gear about all the love and support that's been coming from the Duo Straps. We had talked earlier (as in months) about doing a possible Tourbox for the strap, but now Jay is ready to go forward. For anyone that is curious as to how the Duo Strap will work for you, this would be ideal.

Basically, we gather up a list of people, Jay sends out a Duo Strap Neo to the first person who keeps it for a week, raves about how awesome it is (well, I'm assuming that's what will happen), and sends it to the next person. No cost to get in, it's really just a simple "thank you" type of marketing to get this in peoples' hands so they can see what we all know to be true; it's a revolutionary strap.

Thoughts?
 
#45
In love with my DuoNeo strap. Got it about a week ago and after a few gigs it fits like a glove!! Absolutely love this strap. It has alleviated all of my neck/shoulder pain with my six string, but honestly the best part is being able to let go of my bass and it doesn't move one bit.

I've found that the best/easiest/quickest way to set up the strap correctly is to set the main strap to the right height and then have a friend hold the right should strap to the best spot. It takes a lot of the guess work out of the process.
 
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#51
Okay, so I got the Neo DuoStrap, a nylon tension strap, and a leather tension strap. The DuoStrap is awesome. Distributes weight really well, it's really comfy, and there's no hard plastic at any points that can come in contact with your shoulder (my one caveat with the Comfort Strapp). I found I prefer the leather tension strap to either the nylon strap or hooking the second strap over the horn. The leather one has holes to attach the second strap to so it won't move, which is something I personally prefer, although others may like the mobility of the nylon strap/over the horn method.

It takes some time to set up properly though. I went through a 3-hour practice with it to see how things felt, then made some small adjustments at home afterwards.. I imagine someone could get frustrated with it if they think it's a strap-on-and-go thing the first time they use it. You need some proper setup/play time, but it's definitely worth putting in that time. It's a lot of material though, so this isn't the ideal strap if you're playing shirtless at an outdoor summer gig ;)

I'm going to be getting a second one for my second bass. I may try the leather one when it's on sale to see if there are any noticeable differences, but the Neo one is great.
 
#52
One thing I noticed (the hard way) last night at band practice:

Be sure to periodically tighten all screws. The one attaching the leather tailpiece came loose last night and dropped my bass to the floor. I managed to stop the neck from hitting, but had to use a normal, single strap for the rest of the night. Now I see why there are extra screws included.

I can barely move today, my back is so sore.
 
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#53
One of the problems is that you can't really tighten or loosen the screws because the washer they screw into is round so you can't use a wrench to secure it.

Another problem is the length of the strap, if I visually adjust it to be the same length of my regular strap-it feels way short, and uncomfortable.

It would be helpful if gruv gear posted some step by step videos on how to assemble. Their customer service has not been helpful at all.
 
#55
Guess I should update- I've been using two NeoStraps for five months, and love them. I did get the leather tension straps as they have adjustment holes that allow me to put the straps at the most comfortable/balanced spot. If you're having trouble with the strap moving around too much when looped over the horn like I did, the leather tension strap will likely fix the issue.

The only downside is that I can't take the strap off of my basses without undoing the screw/threaded insert from the leather tension strap. That and, as Rip mentioned, they can come untightened from regular use (as in just the strap moving about regularly). It'd be great if Gruv Gear could come up some sort of locking quick release button that allows them to easily come off if needed but won't come undone.
 
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#57
The only issue I have is what I mentioned above, and that you need to tape some padding to the back of the insertor it can wear on your bass (mine wore a small gouge into my bass as I didn't realize I needed to do that. The threaded insert part makes transport a bit difficult, as you need to either unscrew and re-screw it to take your strap of for try to cram it in your gig bag with the strap on, which is difficult due to its size.

That's only if you use the leather tension strap method though- if you hook the second strap over your bass' horn or make a strap lock hole on your bass for it, it wouldn't be an issue.
 
#58
Just updating the thread: I got the Neo version and I loved it enough using the around-the-horn method, definitely helps take some of the weight off your left shoulder once you got the adjustment dialed in (although the strap itself, with straplocks on it, seem to add a slightly noticable amount of weight to the overall instrument). Loved it enough to take the drill to my Sadowsky to install 2 flushmount straplocks for it (I'm a big fan on flushmounts on the back of the horn; the strap sits on your left shoulder so much better, no cutting-into-your-neck feeling)...but I made an almost-fatal error (for the bass) of not telling my work colleague doing the install (woodwork teacher at my High School) that the body was chambered. Sure enough, upon installing the lock for the right strap, he fell through a chamber but luckily caught himself fast enough, so he did NOT go straight through the front of the bass...my heart almost sank when he hit the chamber! Now there was no wood to secure the screw and a big gaping hole, so he recommended using heavy duty epoxy paste to secure it, so that's what we did and it seems pretty snug so far.

So the guy said wait at least 4 hours (it's been 12 hours so far), but now I'm thinking I should give it the maximum cure time for the best hold under pressure from inserting and removing the straplock and hanging from the strap...except I don't know exactly which epoxy he used (and I don't have his number)...I've read times online anywhere from 24 hours to 1 week for maximum cure...any thoughts? Do you think it will hold over time? Have a performance on Sunday and would like to use the Duostrap, but don't wanna risk weakening the epoxy.
 
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#60
Les Fret said:
Sorry for digging up this topic. But what is the difference between the Neo and Signature exactly? Since the Signature is much more expensive.

And do they work on all double cut basses? Even a Yamaha BB with a bit smaller upper horn.
Click to expand...

One's neoprene, one's leather. I can't say for sure if it'll fit on every bass, but the strap is adjustable so it very likely will.
 
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