Leather straps

[Freez]

Hey everyone, back in the '80s the standard strap every bass player I knew used was a soft and supple, yet incredibly strong black, tan or brown leather strap, 3.5 inches wide with a step ladder style length adjustment (looks a lot like attached pic). The holes never wore out or peeled on these things and they were extremely comfortable, with one suede side and one leather side. These straps used to be in the $18 to $20 range. I bought a strap that looks just like those (planet waves) but the leather is really hard and they are super uncomfortable. Is anyone still making this simple strap design out of the strong supple leather I remember from the '80s?

 

[Aloe]

try lakota leathers.

if you want unstitched, those are the straps to get.

 

[ardgedee]

D'Addario has a Basic Leather Guitar Strap with an MSRP of $20 for your standard colors (less than that through the usual retailers). There's also a Deluxe Leather Guitar Strap with the same MSRP and specs, I'm not sure what makes it deluxe besides the logo being on a plastic button rather than stamped into the leather.

edit: Closer to 2.75" rather than 3.5". Leather is pretty stiff but has the unfinished suede back that OP asked for. If your bass isn't too heavy it'll probably do fine, I've been using one at home for about a year now. With a heavy axe, the width and stiffness might work against you.

 

[onda'bass]

I just got a leavy's 4.5 black leather, all good here.

 

[jdjk7]

The straps I recommend above all else are Italia Straps. They're the best straps I've tried. You can get them in 2.5'' or 4'' width, and they come in a large number of leather color+suede color combinations.

They look a little pricey up front, but if you subscribe to their email list, they run pretty favorable discounts and buy-one-get-one-free deals.

 

[DJmtd]

I'm a big fan of Levy's

 

[Swerve]

I love the look of leather straps but hate how they feel. Always heavy and clinging to my shirts. And if you use rubber washers for strap locks like I do you usually can't fit them on.

 

[FlabbyDaddy]

Hey everyone, back in the '80s the standard strap every bass player I knew used was a soft and supple, yet incredibly strong black, tan or brown leather strap, 3.5 inches wide with a step ladder style length adjustment (looks a lot like attached pic). The holes never wore out or peeled on these things and they were extremely comfortable, with one suede side and one leather side. These straps used to be in the $18 to $20 range. I bought a strap that looks just like those (planet waves) but the leather is really hard and they are super uncomfortable. Is anyone still making this simple strap design out of the strong supple leather I remember from the '80s?

I would recommend the Levy's straps also the make a nice durable strap with suede on the inside.

Leather Guitar Straps

Leather Guitar Straps At Levy's, we infuse remarkable comfort with distinctive elegance in our leather guitar straps, offering musicians a medium through which they can showcase their individuality, supported by the steadfast quality of our craftsmanship. Our devotion is more profound than mere...

levysleathers.com

 

[BassicJazzy]

try lakota leathers.

if you want unstitched, those are the straps to get.

I second the Lakota straps. They fit over almost all my strap buttons and have the right degree of grip on the backside, and hold up very well, show no wear after 2 years. Plus they are reasonably priced. I have a second, much fancier leather strap, a Levy, which looks very cool, cost $80, but needs to be used on a well balanced bass, because the leather is slippery on the backside. That strap has now been permanently assigned to wear Schaller strap locks on the Sadowsky.

The Lekota is on the SR, the other strap is on the Jazz Plus and the Sadowsky.

 

[Bob_Ross]

try lakota leathers.

^^^This.

They are everything I remember the old leather straps of yore to be

...other than the $18-20 part.

 

[OldSoulDownLow]

View attachment 7506987
View attachment 7506988

The straps I recommend above all else are Italia Straps. They're the best straps I've tried. You can get them in 2.5'' or 4'' width, and they come in a large number of leather color+suede color combinations.

They look a little pricey up front, but if you subscribe to their email list, they run pretty favorable discounts and buy-one-get-one-free deals.

^ These...Great straps. I buy their four inch option and it is very comfortable. Also have a few different colors and the BOGO free make makes for an excellent deal.

 

[Aberdumbie]

Moody Leather. I have had mine ten years and absolutely love it.

 

[CoughSyrup]

I have a Franklin strap, and it's quite nice. A bit pricey, but you can find 15% off coupon codes.

Original Natural Glove Leather Guitar Strap

The Original Natural Glove Leather Series stands as the flagship of the Franklin Strap lineup, representing the craftsmanship and heritage that define the brand. Offered in both 2 1/2" and 3" widths, these premium straps serve as a natural companion to the renowned "OG" Black Glove Leather...

franklinstrap.com

 

[wintremute]

Hey everyone, back in the '80s the standard strap every bass player I knew used was a soft and supple, yet incredibly strong black, tan or brown leather strap, 3.5 inches wide with a step ladder style length adjustment (looks a lot like attached pic). The holes never wore out or peeled on these things and they were extremely comfortable, with one suede side and one leather side. These straps used to be in the $18 to $20 range. I bought a strap that looks just like those (planet waves) but the leather is really hard and they are super uncomfortable. Is anyone still making this simple strap design out of the strong supple leather I remember from the '80s?

Which specific Planet Waves strap did you buy? That sounds like exactly what I want. I prefer the hard, slippery smooth leather that doesn't grip my shirt and allows me to move around. Is the one you have smooth on the inner side?

 

[Edward Knox]

Levy's leather straps, 1000%. Huge fan. Pricey, but worth it (it's for your thudstaff, right??!?) And some really cool styles and colors to choose from.

 

[lermgalieu]

Levy's, padded. I have them on all my basses except inexplicably on one of my P basses.

 

[iammr2]

Moody Leather. I have had mine ten years and absolutely love it.

Moody straps cheapest are $150.

 

[BassHole1]

My gigging strap is a Levy's 4" wide (?) black leather puffy strap. Feels great, bass stays in place and is balanced. The headstock side hole is still great but the bridge side is big and although the strap button fits in it, it will fall off if you're not careful, or if you play sitting down (which I don't). It's annoying. I can't use one of those red Fender rubber gasket (or Grolsch bottle) because the strap is so thick. I guess I need to upgrade to locking straps but then it has to be on all basses.......&^%$#@!

Also, beware there are a lot of FAKE leather products that I've fallen for. They are called "PU" leather and that is not leather. It's synthetic junk. I bought a "leather" drum stick bag and it's fake! I bought a "leather" embossed strap and also fake. Ugh!

 

[SC Bassboy]

All my straps are now Levy's, which are really good quality. I think I have three total now, with one of them being about 25 years old. If you're playing bass, skip the basic leather strap and get one with padding.

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

Hey everyone, back in the '80s the standard strap every bass player I knew used was a soft and supple, yet incredibly strong black, tan or brown leather strap, 3.5 inches wide with a step ladder style length adjustment (looks a lot like attached pic). The holes never wore out or peeled on these things and they were extremely comfortable, with one suede side and one leather side. These straps used to be in the $18 to $20 range. I bought a strap that looks just like those (planet waves) but the leather is really hard and they are super uncomfortable. Is anyone still making this simple strap design out of the strong supple leather I remember from the '80s?

I bought that same one and had the same reaction.

I ended up conditioning it and "working" it, trying to break it in like a baseball glove. 3 years later it's a bit better. Meaning it's less rigid than say, aluminum.