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how do YOU protect/minimize buckle rash on your bass?

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paradigm_shift

Mar 29, 2007
392
1
#1
I am curious what you guys out there do. The obvious is to not wear a belt of course. Assuming you do, is there a certain style of.buckle/type of belt that works best? Just don't care?

Not sure if this should be in technique or basses really. Realize its a bizarre question, but one I have never seen tackled before.
 
#3
Two more ways - get a belt with a leather covered buckle, get one of those guitar scratch pads off ebay and cut it down to fit your bass.

I do both of these plus the other suggestion about moving your buckle to one side.

Just tell me that sans-a-belt pants won't become all the rage for bass and guitar players
 
#8
I never wear the sort of big buckle that would do damage, but anyway I stand with the bass towards the right hip and the left arm forward (just seems comfortable, and I never get bachache playing, though my back has always given me pain in some sporting activities). That means the bass wouldn't touch a buckle anyway.
 
#9
Move the belt buckle round as far as you can to the left (if you're a right hander).
I do that without thinking, even if I'm not playing, after years of doing it.

Also, watch out for fancy belts where the buckle sticks out and has sharp edges.
If I'm wearing a belt, I usually go for one that is as plain as possible.

Also worth watching out for the studs on the corners of pockets on jeans - they can be as bad as belts.
 
#12
When I practice, I typically wear gym shorts or sweats intentionally so there's nothing to scratch it. If I was going to gig, I'd wear pants that don't require a belt to stay up or if I had to wear a belt, I'd just keep my shirt un-tucked to cover the buckle.
 
#15
I grew up playing all sorts of gigs- a weird mixture of prog-rock, jazz and folk. The hand positions I needed for the uptempo jazz stuff (and some of the prog) meant that I was most comfortable wearing my basses just above my belt buckle.

40+ years later, I've never had any complaints about my stage presence as a result of shorter-than-average strap length, never had any hand problems, and never caused any buckle rash...
 
#20
years ago my solution was an all-leather belt. Couldn't find one, had to make it by attaching 4 strands of leather sewing machine belt to each side of a leather strap, then braiding them into round ropes with a turks head knot at the top. After it broke-in it was a killer belt that lasted many years.

I've also pushed the buckle to the left some.
 

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