Strap For Hofner?

[RhythmRain]

Hi all, this is my first official post aside from my introduction post!

I just got a Hofner Ignition last week and started up some lessons. Love it, but the strap button placement is problematic. I knew about this as I was researching basses to buy, but that was the only negative for my bass needs and I figured I’d try out the straps for myself. Sure enough, my basic cloth strap lets the bass roll forward when using. It’s not even comfortable when sitting while having the strap on the bass. It’s also not comfortable tying the strap up by the headstock part of the neck, but that may be my only option.

I don’t want to make any modifications, such as moving the button, and the Ignition does not have the gap at the neck and body like Paul McCartney's. So is there actually a strap out there that will not make the bass roll forward? For some reason, I think those skinny vintage straps would work better, but I’m not sure why. Maybe just the thinness of it?

 

[Nick Mc Noise]

Learn from the Macca himself:

Attach the strap to the headstock by wrapping it around the neck, under the strings ... you see?

 

[Samatza]

I have the same bass with a vintage strap, same issue.
I thin Macca runs it through the tailpiece to overcome the issue but I have strap locks on mine so I can’t do that.

 

[RhythmRain]

Learn from the Macca himself:
View attachment 3867679

Attach the strap to the headstock by wrapping it around the neck, under the strings ... you see?

I did try that briefly but it didn’t feel comfortable. I guess I’ll have to try it a bit longer to get feel for it, seems the only option other than changing the strap button location.

 

[RhythmRain]

I have the same bass with a vintage strap, same issue.
I thin Macca runs it through the tailpiece to overcome the issue but I have strap locks on mine so I can’t do that.

Yes, I guess the upper models of Hofner have the gap between the neck and body tailpiece bit...as you see in the pics below and that’s what Paul had as well in many pics. I guess the only option is the neck placement. Oh well, thanks all!

 

[dannylectro]

I bit the bullet and moved the strap button to the upper bout of my Hofner Club bass, which had the same problem. Not sure if a similar solution would work with the Beatle bass.
I should caution that moving the button is trickier than it sounds because you’d need to fish and glue a small block inside the body where you want the button to be, because the sides of the instrument are too thin for a screw to properly hold.
It worked perfectly. If you (or anyone else) wants a step by step, let me know.

EDIT: Hit post button before I finished

 

[spantini]

On my '65 Beatle bass I used a cheap cloth strap with leather eyelets on both ends attached to original strap pegs. Always kept my right hand rested on the body, or held by the neck with left. Never let it fly.

 

[rockinrayduke]

I use a black Ernie Ball nylon strap on both my Hofners.

 

[g-dude]

Get a Fender vintage style strap - I used the one that came with my AVRI 57 Start and it works really well.

 

[RhythmRain]

I use a black Ernie Ball nylon strap on both my Hofners.

how does that work with the roll forward? I already tried a Fender cloth strap and it rolled a lot. Now I have the vintage style strap, not Fender, the LM brand I think. I love it bit it’s not all that comfortable, and the buckle hits the bass if I don’t set it down just right.

 

[RhythmRain]

Get a Fender vintage style strap - I used the one that came with my AVRI 57 Start and it works really well.

I actually did buy a vintage style strap. I love the look, it’s LM brand, not Fender. But it’s not too comfortable, the shoulder pad constantly slips back behind me, the buckle tends to hit the guitar if I’m not super careful putting it down. It does handle the roll forward better, but so far these other issues are a little annoying too. Seems like this is going to be one of those lesser of two evils things.

 

[RhythmRain]

Well I actually found a good solution from this very forum a few years back, it came up in my Google search. Someone mentioned near the neck, they put the strap so that the front of the strap is against the guitar, backwards. I tried it and it works better than having it the right way! So I’m going with this fix now because this strap is much more comfy than the vintage. Carry on fellas!

 

[rockinrayduke]

how does that work with the roll forward? I already tried a Fender cloth strap and it rolled a lot. Now I have the vintage style strap, not Fender, the LM brand I think. I love it bit it’s not all that comfortable, and the buckle hits the bass if I don’t set it down just right.

My elbow hugs the bass naturally, no forward roll.