• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

I need a comfy padded bass strap where the padding doesn't end on my shoulder

Naigewron

Naigewron

Jan 5, 2018
1,575
4,488
Norway
#1
So I'm quite tall (190cm / 6'3") and I hang my bass reasonably low. Not punk rock low, but definitely below the stomach.

At the moment I'm using a Gruv Gear Fabrk strap, which is reasonably comfortable, but the padded part is too short. Even slinging the bass at my preferred height, I can feel the transition between the padded part and the nylon strap up on my left shoulderblade.

The weird part is that the strap is actually super long (up to 64"). I can hang my bass down towards my knees if I want, but if I did that the padded part would be entirely off my shoulder and then some.

So I'm looking for a replacement. I'm an untrained guy well into my 40s, so good padding is essential. What are my fellow low-slingers using?

I've been looking at the Cable-Free Guitar Zero Gravity strap, but they don't list how long the padded part is, and from the pictures it looks about the same as my current strap.

I also need it to be easily adjustable, because I will often make slighjt height adjustments if I'm not quite feeling it on a given day. So none of those old-fashioned ones where you thread one part through another and you have to take everything off to adjust the length.

My current strap: FABRK Strap

CFG Zero Gravity: [NEW 2023 models] CFG™ - 'ZERO-GRAVITY' Strap for Bass & Electric Guit

This is about where I hang my bass. Sometimes a bit higher, sometimes a bit lower, depending on my mood:
 
Last edited:
#4
I'm sure I've seen straps where the padded section is separate and slides up and down the strap so you can position the padded part wherever you want it. Sorry I don't know any particular brands, but this kind of design might be what you're looking for to ensure the padding will be in the right place.
 
#5
I'm 6'4" and wear my bass across my hip. I added a swivel connection w/ an additional leather strap extension so the padded section lays over my shoulder, not chest. It has the benefit of allowing the strap to lay flat on my body while the swivel turns the strap end to meet the strap button without twisting the entire strap.

You can find these swivel attachments at Lowes and leather at a local tack shop.
dP front.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: SuperFunkyPete, vindibona1, Will_White and 2 others
#6
I approach straps with a different take. I look more at weight distribution rather than padding. In fact, I find that with some straps padding can be tactily annoying because more have seams on the outside of the strap. Also, if you (I) go too wide by my neck the strap can sit on the vein in my neck and cause discomfort.

As far as length and bass position, if you want to hang your bass low, that's up to you. I can't help but thinking about the stress it puts on the wrist and makes techincal stuff more difficult. But that's my thinking. Almost any strap can have an extension added if the basic strap isn't long enough. I can't speak to your issue with padding, so perhaps you might want to try a strap that doesn't have padding? I have no difficulty with single ply 3.5" straps with my 9-10 pound basses, though I do have a few padded straps.

Having said that, I'm a big fan of Perri's 3.5" single ply (cheap) leather straps. When worked to break in well, they become supple and easy onthe shoulder. I even cut a small crescent out of the part by my neck for comfort. In the US on Amazon they sell for about $12-$17 USD. Not sure if they are available in Europe via Amazon or others.

The other brand I like is Walker and Williams, located in California USA. They have a wide selection of straps that aren't too expensive. Another brand that I like is Franklin. I have one strap that is suede padding on the inside with no stitched seams to dig in.

Anyway... Here is a photo with some of my collection, all with their own straps. There are so many choices, some pretty cheap. Good luck.

straps.jpg
 
#11
thejazzman said:
BullythaKidd did a review on a strap he got from CFG and he loves the strap.

This is the website: [NEW 2023 models] CFG™ - 'ZERO-GRAVITY' Strap for Bass & Electric Guit
Click to expand...


Yeah, I've seen that, but it doesn't answer my initial concerns about the length of the padding. Every single demo and review I've found of the CFG strap shows the bass/guitar hanging a fair amount higher than I prefer, and they never show what it looks like from the back. Maybe they all prefer to sling their axes higher, or maybe they realise the issue and intentionally don't show the length of the padding. Who knows?
 
#12
Naigewron said:
Yeah, I've seen that, but it doesn't answer my initial concerns about the length of the padding. Every single demo and review I've found of the CFG strap shows the bass/guitar hanging a fair amount higher than I prefer, and they never show what it looks like from the back. Maybe they all prefer to sling their axes higher, or maybe they realise the issue and intentionally don't show the length of the padding. Who knows?
Click to expand...
If you looked at the website, you would have seen a review of the strap and the reviewer showed the back view of the strap. Incase you missed it here is the vid. The back view is at 7:10
 
  • Like
Reactions: Naigewron

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back