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Neotech Bass Straps...Opinions wanted

Hevy T

Hevy T

Jan 11, 2011
4,293
4,017
56
Lethbridge, AB Canada
#1
Has anyone tried one of these with a really heavy bass? I would assume so!

How well do they work?

I am thinking about buying a heavy weight (to me) 11 lbs Modern Player Jazz V but I am concerned about the weight since I have shoulder and neck trouble from a whiplash injury 2 years ago.

When I was a young whippersnapper this would not have bothered me, but getting old sucks, especially since I am only 44, I have tons of fun to look forward to:crying:
 
#3
My strong recommendation is that you avoid an 11lb bass particularly if you already have a damaged shoulder/neck. I have tried this and many other straps and a couple of years back settled on a lightweight bass (in my case a 7lb Sadowsky) and this is the only solution for me. Quite recently I tried the Duostrap for a heavyweight fender and although it spreads the weight over both shoulders, I found the experience of having any weight on my right shoulder really strange and just could not adapt.
 
#6
MarTONEbass said:
I have used these straps and while they helped in the short term, not so much in the long term. I avoid any bass heavier than 9.5lbs because after a 3-4 hour bar gig, I'd be in some kind of neck or back pain, even with a springy or otherwise comfy strap.
Click to expand...

+1. The real question here is whether you are prepared to further antagonise your already existing injuries thereby risking long term pain by using a heavy bass, or compromising for as light a bass as possible and realising the long term benefits.
 
#10
I have 3 of them and have had them for several years after finding Comfort Strapps to not work for me. I have one 11-12 pound bass and these are the only straps that have made wearing that bass possible. No durability issues either, they all have Dunlop strap ends and still look pretty new. I take and play multiple basses at every gig, so I'm never wearing a 12 pound bass for 4 hours.

But I will second, third and fourth the suggestions to avoid heavy basses on injured shoulders. Theses straps help distribute weight and pad it out, but they won't make an 11 pound bass feel like a ukulele.
 
#12
I've bought a Neotech strap two times trying to find out what all the fuss is about and couldn't get used to them. I'm too accustomed to my Franklin straps.

Different strokes.

If you have a heavy bass or a medical condition, there are other strap systems that are supposed to help, but they are expensive and some require modification to the bass itself.
 
#14
I've been using those straps for quite a number of years now and absolutely love them! Would not use any other strap again. I have one for each of my basses. The first time I got one was back when I played an Alembic which was a beast in weight, probably around 15 lbs or more. The Neotech strap really helped with that.

Currently all of my basses are fairly light weight (my Sadowsky is only 7.5 lbs) and with the Neotech it is like I have nothing strapped on. Just so comfy!
 
#15
I do NOT like Neotech straps, and here's why. I think that the advertised width of the pad is misleading, because the nylon parts are significantly narrower. I can't back this up with any physics, but Neotech straps feel like they dig into my shoulder MORE than any other strap because the extra width of the neoprene is actually useless because of the narrowness of the nylon. Better to use a very wide strap that is consistent in width all the way to the leather bits. The weight is distributed evenly, along ALL the material, and not just the middle of the strap.

YMMV, most people seem to love these straps. But I found them very uncomfortable for heavier basses. This isn't really a knock against their design, I'm sure it works great for most people. I just happen to have nerve issues in my shoulder and neck, and am very sensitive to bass weight and straps.
 
#17
I've got a sixer that's 14.3 lbs and The first strap I got was the Neotech. I've gone to a few different super wide leather straps for a few weeks and once tried the Comfort Strapp for a set, but none of them were as comfortable as the Neotech.

For the OPs situation, however, I would be inclined to look into those two shoulder harness straps as they will balance the load a little better...
 
#18
I have Neotech straps on three of my four basses. The other bass has a ComfortStrap, which I bought before the Neotech's. I liked that one but it felt a little too springy and bouncy to me, so I tried a Neotech. I liked that enough to buy a couple more.

I still have the ComfortStrapp but, when I have a reason to replace it, I'll replace it with another Neotech.

YMMV.

EDIT - Two of those three basses are a Stingray 5 and an SX-based parts bass, both around 9.5 - 10 pounds. Not boat anchors (like my old 13.5 pound MIM Jazz Deluxe V! :eek:), but neither are they lightweights.
 
#19
Snarf said:
I do NOT like Neotech straps, and here's why. I think that the advertised width of the pad is misleading, because the nylon parts are significantly narrower. I can't back this up with any physics, but Neotech straps feel like they dig into my shoulder MORE than any other strap because the extra width of the neoprene is actually useless because of the narrowness of the nylon. Better to use a very wide strap that is consistent in width all the way to the leather bits. The weight is distributed evenly, along ALL the material, and not just the middle of the strap.
Click to expand...
This is exactly why I hated the Comfort Strapp, too.

Anyway, while a nice strap can kind of help make a heavy bass more tolerable, the only thing that ever worked for me is using a bass that wasn't as heavy.
 

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