How do you choose your straps

[pica]

I'm just curious when you buy your straps, do you buy them to match your bass, do you buy them for comfort, do you like a certain color or design, or do you like a certain brand. What criteria do you use when buying your straps.

 

[gregduboc]

I believe it is just as much part of your outfit as your shirt. But it must be comfortable!
But looks really matter to me, which is why I always have a black strap around. They go well with every bass, anytime!

 

[bwoodman]

Comfort only - I use the Comfort Strapp, since discovering them at a NAMM show a few years ago:
http://comfortstrapp.com/

 

[Fuzzbass]

1. Looks
2. Comfort - 2.5" to 3.5" wide

 

[geeza]

I only have one strap. A friend gave it to me when I was in High School (I graduated in '80). I've tried others, but I still like that one best. It's just plain black leather, 2.5 or 3 inches.

 

[echoSE7EN]

All of the straps I own came from the same place; Anthology Gear Wear ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). They aren't the cheapest things in the world, but they are unique and crafted better than any strap I have come across in 20(+) years of playing. Comfort. Durable. Cool look. I dig them.

 

[Slowgypsy]

All the instruments I have are special. And the straps that hold them in place have to be equally special. The straps I use are certainly not for everyone, or in everyones budget, but for the foreseeable future every instrument that I play has its own Moody Leather strap attached to it.

 

[pica]

All of the straps I own came from the same place; Anthology Gear Wear ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). They aren't the cheapest things in the world, but they are unique and crafted better than any strap I have come across in 20(+) years of playing. Comfort. Durable. Cool look. I dig them.

Wow, those have to be some of the nicest straps I've seen. Now I know what to buy with some of my tax refund.

 

[HaMMerHeD]

First strap I bought was a pretty predictable plain black nylon strap with leather tab ends. After that, I figured out what I really wanted in a strap, which was most definitely nothing like a plain black nylon strap. So I bought a nice padded leather strap (LM X-Clef in black) and I have been using it since. I have dunlop straploks on it, and on every bass own, so I just move that strap to whichever bass I want to play.

 

[doctorpunch]

Step 1: Look for Levy's logo
Step 2: Buy

 

[MUSHROOMSeAcOw]

I like Franklin straps. Simple, comfortable, quality, and they go with pretty much anything. The fact that my local shop is a dealer helps.

 

[pica]

I myself have 3 Levy straps. Two leather and a suede. Although I think two of them are guitar straps. When I first started playing I didn't know that bass straps were wider then guitar straps and bought guitar straps.

 

[Ubersheist]

If the bass is a heavy chunk of wood, like my Warwick, I go for comfort first. I'm too old to be hurting on stage.

If the bass is relatively light, I go for looks first.

On my crazy bass, I always use my "pink poodle" strap, which is covered in pink furry weirdness.

 

[Rebecky]

I look for something that goes with the bass but I don't worry about it too much... I've had a purple strap on a brown/red bass for years, clashes horribly but my eyes are used to it now! The strap on my rickenbacker is this grey and white skull one that EVERYONE seems to have. I've been meaning to get a new one for ages, I want a badass one with studds in it! But I don't like leather... Tried someone's bass once and he had a leather strap - sweatiest thing ever! Eurgh!!!

 

[Jazzdogg]

I like a strap that is wide and compliant all the way to the end that attaches to the upper horn (because I play with the headstock in an upright position).

I can't stand straps that require me to "thread" one part through another to change length, which usually requires the removal and reinstallation of straplocks.

After suffering a painful rotator cuff injury to my left shoulder, I've tried several different straps, including double straps; I own about a dozen straps, but find myself using straps that are wide and soft, like the Comfort Strapp.

 

[StevieMac]

All of the straps I own came from the same place; Anthology Gear Wear ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). They aren't the cheapest things in the world, but they are unique and crafted better than any strap I have come across in 20(+) years of playing. Comfort. Durable. Cool look. I dig them.

Those do look really nice. I personally find 4" wide straps to be more comfortable.

I recently ordered a pair of 4" straps from Italia and I'm very happy with them: http://www.italiastraps.com/black-leather-guitar-strap.html

I always buy black straps because they go with everything.

 

[crack-boom]

I just grab the DiMarzio clip straps or whatever they are called. I find them really comfortable, a little slippery but I can live with that.

 

[BrandonBass]

Thick, long and black.

 

[iamoldschool]

I like Franklin straps. Simple, comfortable, quality, and they go with pretty much anything. The fact that my local shop is a dealer helps.

Love me some Franklin straps. They meet pretty much all of my criteria. The are comfortable, soft, durable and look much more expensive than they really are. I have one on each of my two main basses that pretty much stays on that bass. For aesthetics, the 3tsb bass gets a Palomino colored strap and the vintage white bass gets a chocolate brown strap. The main thing that sold me on them, I suppose, is the fact that they are made in Tennessee; my home state.

 

[mixalot]

If the bass is a heavy chunk of wood, like my Warwick, I go for comfort first. I'm too old to be hurting on stage.

If the bass is relatively light, I go for looks first.

On my crazy bass, I always use my "pink poodle" strap, which is covered in pink furry weirdness.

More pics of the strap AND bass please.......