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Quality straps that won't cost a lot

#21
Franklin makes quality straps for less than "big" money. The leather is soft, the workmanship is quite good, and Frranklin's service is tops, in my experience. I find the Franklin straps attach and detach easily. I use the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] to keep the straps where I intend them to remain without any modifications to my bass. The Grolsch beer cap ring works equally well and is held to be more fun to acquire.

My view is the Franklin leather is superior to others I've sampled in that price range.

The two Levy's straps in use here are also quality straps. Mine are "midrange" straps from the $50 dollars or less bargain bin. I find the padding in the standard issue 3 inch strap does not conform to my shoulder well enough to be comfortable for an extended period. Though it be stated up front that same shoulder is arthritic &c &c so I'm sensitive about my strap.

To compare those straps with the upmarket strap I use is unfair. Once in the $100+ territory, well ... There really is a difference. To me, a big difference. The probability of finding saddle leather in an economy or midrange strap is close to zero. Maybe not precisely zero, but close enough. No shortage of metaphors to describe the experience of going from an economy strap to a premium strap. It makes me feel good and that'll do.
 
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#23
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#24
I wish I had all the money I've spent on cheap straps that I thought would be good enough. I've got a pile of $10 to $20 straps that just don't do the job. I'd have enough to cash to get one of those $100 babies.

Like others, I've had good luck with Levi and Walter & Williams, once I upped my game to $40 or so.
 
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#25
Skillet said:
I wish I had all the money I've spent on cheap straps that I thought would be good enough. I've got a pile of $10 to $20 straps that just don't do the job. I'd have enough to cash to get one of those $100 babies.

Like others, I've had good luck with Levi and Walter & Williams, once I upped my game to $40 or so.
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My thoughts exactly. A strap that lasts for 10-20 years is cheap even at $100. I have one of these and consider it cheap because I've had it for 5 years and a) it hasn't stretched or shown any signs of damage, so I figure I'll not have to buy another for a long time and b) it's kept me from having to spend money on either buying a lighter bass or having physical therapy! :laugh:
 
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#29
GwenOnBass said:
Any strap of adequate width and length will hold an ice pack in place. But as far as I know there are no straps specifically made to hold ice packs in place of the foam padding. :: free marketing idea ::
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Ice packs? No no no, we need a thermionic cooler powered by solar cells embedded in the strap and/or bass. Elon Musk can thank us later.
Yel_wink.gif
 
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#30
Passinwind said:
Ice packs? No no no, we need a thermionic cooler powered by solar cells embedded in the strap and/or bass. Elon Musk can thank us later. View attachment 3192000
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Exactly in front of me is today's takeaway happy fun meal (brought to you today by the syllables that complete the words "physical therapists") is how conscious awareness of our own muscle groups can alleviate shoulder pain. YMMV, I am not a doctor and I don't play one on TV or teh Interwebs, if symptoms persist for more than five hours ....

In the course of treatment for tendonitis of the left shoulder from calcium deposits and some minor arthritis, it appears to me useful to precisely inform the physical therapists of how I use my left arm with my bass.

"When I tell my doctor I am a bass player twice that I play bass, it is not to inform him of what a terrific human being I am," I say to the physical therapist who has worked with my recovery since April. "To some people," I opine, "the musician is the hired help."

"When I play I have this range of motion," (demonstrate), "and reach here to tune, and do this" (demonstrate) when I put it on and take it off."

A very simple matter and now she sees whet I am talking about. The exercises she shows me are now refined with all this in mind. More importantly, she makes certain I can feel the muscle groups so that I can hold that awareness day-to-day. And off I go.

Personally, having dealt with this shoulder for a while (it is my shoulder, after all, or so it appears to me) is a three inch wide fabric strap is most comfortable.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled realities. Ciao tutti
 
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#31
GwenOnBass said:
Personally, having dealt with this shoulder for a while (it is my shoulder, after all, or so it appears to me) is a three inch wide fabric strap is most comfortable.
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After way too much dweebing, I have found that each of my basses and guitars requires a different solution. I'm hoping that my incoming new fretless will work with something I already own, but...
Yel_wink.gif
 
#32
after much "trying. adjusting. re-fitting"... various straps (W&W, being best "deal") I found my solution. ("MY" solution... ymmv).
The shoulder/neck pain led me to short scale lightness... so, I found the Viola bass in a nearly upright position (think Chas Chandler/Bill Wyman) alleviates a fair amount of discomfort... but the straps were always cutting into my neck. I got a nice piece of soft leather, cut it wide for my shoulder, cut a piece out for my neck, put some reinforcement at the button holes & whooooosh... I'm good for a half hour (or more if the day's right & I am conscious of my shoulder position...). Yeah, it's not as pretty...
Does this help? I doubt it, but after all... it's all about me after all, ain't it?
 
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#33
Passinwind said:
After way too much dweebing, I have found that each of my basses and guitars requires a differentwo solution. I'm hoping that my incoming new fretless will work with something I already own, but...View attachment 3192896
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This is a very good point seen as true from the happy owner of two basses. In no way to be confused with Arthur two sheds Jackson. Everybody is different and how our bodies interface with the bass we play is just as distinct. Different basses feel different and if we are to be comfortable playing it's helpful to call the One Strap Per Bass rule.

Presently in violation of the OSPB rule, it is necessary I pass GO five more times to be Seven Bass Morrighan.
 
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#34
GwenOnBass said:
This is a very good point seen as true from the happy owner of two basses. In no way to be confused with Arthur two sheds Jackson. Everybody is different and how our bodies interface with the bass we play is just as distinct. Different basses feel different and if we are to be comfortable playing it's helpful to call the One Strap Per Bass rule.

Presently in violation of the OSPB rule, it is necessary I pass GO five more times to be Seven Bass Morrighan.
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Heh! I am "lucky" enough to have a few similarly afflicted friends locally, so at the very least I can probably borrow several different types to figure out what I need for the new bass. Just hoping it isn't the nice 4" Italia one I gave to one local TB'er. It was great on my shoulder and is really beautiful, but was terrible for my neck. Go figure.
 
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#36
I've been very happy with the nylon straps from Guitar Works. They are a small music shop in Virginia that hand-makes their straps and sells them on Amazon. I have two of them and they have lasted forever.

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#37
BVaccaro said:
Ok so random question but does anyone have a brand or type of strap that you swear by that's not like a crazy amount of money? Or if so why its worth it?
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Our guitar players and I all use the dimarzio clip lock straps on everything these days. They are similar to car seatbelt material. For me it's comfortable, affordable and it eliminates the need for Straplocks. I also like that it glides over my shoulder instead of sawing into my shoulder or grabbing on to my shirt like other straps. Got into them after having issues with several different strap lock systems either with the mechanism that makes them work wearing out or that they were sticking out so far that there was enough leverage that during high energy rock shows the strap pin screws would either bend or back out. These straps have worked flawlessly for us. Not one single issue. I even have one on my Dingwall which was not a cheap bass at all.
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