Looping cable through strap issue

[bdkthunder]

Like most people, I loop the patch cord over the strap to prevent it from ripping out of the jack if it gets stepped on. Normally the cable rests between the soft part of the strap (typical nylon strap) and the body of the bass and I have not had any issues. I have recently switched to using a different bass and the body hangs a bit differently and the cable now sits right between the body and the hard plastic part and it is pinching hard on the cable from the weight of the bass. Just last practice, the cable started crackling near the strap area and I believe its because of this. I don't want to keep doing it like this if it is going to be killing my cables.

Any ideas on a better way to loop the cable?

 

[tsverrir]

Put a rubber band around the strap and loop the cable through that.

 

[Jon Moody]

I usually put the cable THROUGH the strap. If it's a leather one, I intentionally make a loop with the bottom part of the strap to help facilitate this.

 

[thunderstation]

I wear my strap so the buckle is at the bottom of the bass body which bring the adjustment loop close to the jack (I play a fender jazz)- then I loop the strap through the adjustment loop. -

 

[Stumbo]

Like most people, I loop the patch cord over the strap to prevent it from ripping out of the jack if it gets stepped on. Normally the cable rests between the soft part of the strap (typical nylon strap) and the body of the bass and I have not had any issues. I have recently switched to using a different bass and the body hangs a bit differently and the cable now sits right between the body and the hard plastic part and it is pinching hard on the cable from the weight of the bass. Just last practice, the cable started crackling near the strap area and I believe its because of this. I don't want to keep doing it like this if it is going to be killing my cables.

Any ideas on a better way to loop the cable?

Can you move the cable higher up on the bass? Or maybe install the fuzypart of thick Velcro between it and th bass

 

[bdkthunder]

Can you move the cable higher up on the bass? Or maybe install the fuzypart of thick Velcro between it and th bass

Thanks everyone for the replies.
@Stumbo, I'm not sure what you mean by just moving the cable up higher. The cable always just falls down to the lowest point where it gets pinched. I tried to use some clips but they weren't very practical to hold it in any place higher up the strap.

For now, I just wrapped a sock around the hard plastic part of the strap to soften it and I think it will work. If not, then I can try looping it through the adjustable part of the strap or through the sock (like the rubber band suggestion).

Thanks again, everyone.

 

[thatbasskid597]

I remember seeing this thing on musicians friend a while back where it went around the strap button before you put the strap on, and it had a loop piece that hung down to put the cable through. Try searching around for it on there. It sounds like it would be a good solution to your problem.

 

[Biggbass]

You can use a velcro cable tie strap around your bass strap and just tie the instrument cable up a bit higher with it.

 

[ulynch]

I remember seeing this thing on musicians friend a while back where it went around the strap button before you put the strap on, and it had a loop piece that hung down to put the cable through. Try searching around for it on there. It sounds like it would be a good solution to your problem.

I do this with a couple cable ties. One cable tie gets tightened around my cord maybe a foot from the end, with another cable tie through it. The second cable tie is locked in a loop about 1" around that I hook over my strap lock on the bass. My strap goes over this and holds it in place. A picture would be useful, but I don't have the cord handy . I got the idea for this here on TB though

 

[bdkthunder]

Using a cable tie or velcro tie sounds like another good idea. Probably more secure than it hanging loose in the strap or through a rubber band. Something I will try out and see if it works best.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

Be very careful about using zip ties on instrument cables.

It's way too easy to crush the cable, throwing the capacitance off and shortening the life of the cable. Pinching the cable to avoid getting it pinched, is kind of counterproductive.

I prefer velcro for those sorts of jobs...

 

[Ox Boris]

The standard up through the strap method stops the cable pulling out if it's stepped on, but a big one (step) will eventually pull sideways on that jack and it feels like untold damage to cable, jack, guitar, wallet and sense-of-calm will occur.
1. Do you drag through enough cable to prevent this? Too much would look silly and get in the way.
2. A right-angled connector seems less likely to cause damage It's a fix for the leverage but isn't a fix for the physics.
3. Let the cable dangle. It's better a few moments of silence than a bill like a pelican.
4. Something ingenious like the things above might be, but I can't tell without pics.
5. Something like a simple knot than anchors the cable to the strap. Boy Scouts and Fishermen, the future of music depends on you. And lorry drivers, I suppose.

 

[BassChuck]

Loop it through twice and leave some extra cable in the loop.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

You might want to try one of these, or make something similar. I have a really old (probably brought it in the late 80s) Levy strap that has snap on it and it has a leather loop that goes around the cable and snaps to the strap. This would be a similar add on for any strap. I haven't tried one of these, so I am giving you an un-reviewed suggestion.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Ox Boris]

Thanks for replies so far.