Levy's Leather Straps: 4.5" TOO Wide?!?

[seanm]

All the straps I currently use are 4". I love them. However, I wouldn't go any wider. I don't think a 4.5" strap would fit on my shoulder...

 

[bassstrangler]

I prefer Walker and Williams. Great quality and up to more than half the price of Levy's.
Amazon.com: Walker & Williams Super Wide 4" Double Padded Top Grain Black Leather Bass Strap: Musical Instruments

 

[DavC]

i have both of those ... the wider Levi strap feels fine , .. but it is a bit warmer = sweat ...

the neo is as comfy , but breathes better ...

 

[TomB]

I prefer Walker and Williams. Great quality and up to more than half the price of Levy's.
Amazon.com: Walker & Williams Super Wide 4" Double Padded Top Grain Black Leather Bass Strap: Musical Instruments

I bought one of these and it was gorgeous! Unfortunately, glove leather lining slides around too much ...I have to have suede. I'm still looking for a 3 1/2" suede-lined strap that can take Straploks. Padding is a bonus, but not necessary.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I got the 4.5 and used it for a while then went back to my 3.5. It might be a matter of breaking it in, it is much firmer than my 3.5 now is so, yes, I did feel it on my neck a bit. Other than that, the 4.5 is a great strap. Couldn't get strap locks on, though, too thick. But holes so tight you don't really need em.

I've actually flattened them out with with a large punch to accommodate the Dunlop strap-ends. You can even use a conventional hammer...kinda like prep'ing a veal cutlet.

Thanks for staying on topic, guys. The ergonomics are important and we've avoided spinning-off into a full-blown "what's your favorite strap" thread.

Riis

 

[Jayhawk]

I love mine. Yes it's wide but not too wide for me.

 

[brutuscheezcake]

Check these puppies out. Under $40 , padded 4" wide leather. My last real nice strap was over $150.

I bought two so far, added straplocks and good forever as far as I am concerned

Amazon.com: Walker & Williams Super Wide 4" Double Padded Top Grain Dark Brown Leather Bass Strap: Musical Instruments

 

[Ant Illington]

I've actually flattened them out with with a large punch to accommodate the Dunlop strap-ends. You can even use a conventional hammer...kinda like prep'ing a veal cutlet.

Thanks for staying on topic, guys. The ergonomics are important and we've avoided spinning-off into a full-blown "what's your favorite strap" thread.

Riis

Thanks, I'll try hammer-time next time I consider using it. I have it, I might as well put it on a bass, right?

 

[bucephylus]

I've mainly used this strap, and it's plain version, for the past decade and a half:
Invalid Link Removed

It lists at 3" wide, but is actually more like 3.3," which is perfect for me with most Fender style basses.

I also have the 4.5" strap, but only use it with my Alembic. The wider strap is great with the Alembic's ergonomics. I would NOT use the 4.5" strap with the Fender style basses. The ergonomics between the strap and the bass don't work out.

 

[staurosjohn]

I went through a number if straps til I found these: Invalid Link Removed

3.5" padded with a 'suede' back which helps 'grip' my shoulder. I get them from BassStringsOnline. They are not on their website- but I email Jason re: which one I want and he gets it for me. I have several of them... perfect for me. (I also had the Levy's 4.5" padded strap- it did cut into my neck).

 

[Ant Illington]

I'm in the market for a new padded strap and ran across these on-line. Both of my existing straps (Mono Betty and Levy's Neoprene) measure out at 3.25"....coincidence, not planned....and are fairly comfortable. My biggest concern is whether a 4.5" strap will ride-up or dig into my neck. The closest narrower alternative I can find is the MSS90 which comes in at 3.5".

I appreciate your input!

Riis

Hell, I have nothing to do.... here are some pics for comparison.

Pics in order: 4.5 as I wear my bass, you can see it does touch my neck. Then 4.5 where more normal people might wear it. Then 3.5 as I wear it. The 3.5 is definitely more comfortable. If you can figure out how to do an express break-in on the 4.5 it might be comfortable. The outside 1/4" part that touches your neck is not the rigid strap leather but the more pliable stuff. Feels like memory foam inside so might be hard to beat that stuff into submission.
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[higain617]

Honestly, that's really wide. I have back problems, and still think my 3" strap is plenty of support for my 10.5 lb Les Paul.

 

[JimmyM]

I love the Levy's 4.5" strap. MSS2-4. Even remember the stock number Is a bit wide but it distributes weight more evenly across my shoulder and is surprisingly light.

 

[matante]

I prefer Walker and Williams. Great quality and up to more than half the price of Levy's.
Amazon.com: Walker & Williams Super Wide 4" Double Padded Top Grain Black Leather Bass Strap: Musical Instruments

Check these puppies out. Under $40 , padded 4" wide leather. My last real nice strap was over $150.

I bought two so far, added straplocks and good forever as far as I am concerned

Amazon.com: Walker & Williams Super Wide 4" Double Padded Top Grain Dark Brown Leather Bass Strap: Musical Instruments

Walker and Williams present themselves as an old timey American company and even use an American flag in their logo, but their straps are made in Asia. That's pretty cheesy.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I went through a number if straps til I found these: Invalid Link Removed
3.5" padded with a 'suede' back which helps 'grip' my shoulder. I get them from BassStringsOnline. They are not on their website- but I email Jason re: which one I want and he gets it for me. I have several of them... perfect for me. (I also had the Levy's 4.5" padded strap- it did cut into my neck).

Hmmm...maybe the pic is mis-leading as I'm not seeing much in the way of padding. OTOH, a couple of people on the thread will dig the suede backing!

Riis

 

[Zooberwerx]

Walker and Williams present themselves as an old timey American company and even use an American flag in their logo, but their straps are made in Asia. That's pretty cheesy.

I got that beat. I have a friend, Zhue, who runs the Volcano Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar...he's Chinese.

We're headed that way now as it's "date night" at the Zooberwerx household. Try to erase that image from your brain!

BTW, you guys are good!

Riis

 

[bassstrangler]

Walker and Williams present themselves as an old timey American company and even use an American flag in their logo, but their straps are made in Asia. That's pretty cheesy.

Proof? Don't see one American flag here, logo comes with every strap I've bought from them.

Our physical address in the real world is:

Walker & Williams Premium Leathers
2963 Hidden Valley Ln.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108

You can also call us at 800-354-5351

Even if they are made in Asia, they are an American company.

 

[DirkP]

I'm rather slim and I find the 4,5" very comfortable. Doesn't disturb my neck in any way.

 

[matante]

Proof? Don't see one American flag here, logo comes with every strap I've bought from them.

Our physical address in the real world is:

Walker & Williams Premium Leathers
2963 Hidden Valley Ln.
Santa Barbara, CA 93108

You can also call us at 800-354-5351

Even if they are made in Asia, they are an American company.

If you click on the amazon.com link I quoted you'll see an American flag as part of their logo. I know it's an American company, but hyping themselves as an old timey company with deep roots just to sell you an Asian-made strap is cheesy. Could be a great strap, but people should know why they're cheaper than Levys, Perris, Franklin, etc...

 

[mngnt]

Hmmm...maybe the pic is mis-leading as I'm not seeing much in the way of padding. OTOH, a couple of people on the thread will dig the suede backing!

Riis

I'm in search of a strap for my 11lb bass, and this is the one I've all but settled on.

Several good reviews on the Canadian amazon site.

Regarding the padding, even if there's not a ton, I believe a well broken-in leather strap will be better than some overly padded thing. IMO anyway