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Strap it on! Favorite Bass Strap
- Thread starter Spectre1966
- Start date
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- Tags
- strap
I've picked up a Levy's MSS90 which I've become rather fond of. It is 3.5 inch wide and all-leather construction.
Uhh, I like this thread! I'll vote for my trusty planet waves voodoo strap. Unlike most fabric straps, it's actually a squashed fabric tube which makes it a bit softer than other straps. I did try leather straps, including some fancy models with a padded cushion, but I just like my planet waves voodoo more than anything else. At this point I probably should mention that I'm not affiliated with planet waves 
For me, it's the Comfort Strapp on most of my lighter basses, and a GruvGear 4" mono strap on my heaviest.
I also love couch straps. I have the cat one and two plain black ones. They are great. Great quality and very long (I'm tall).
Yep, love my W&W straps.. haven't heard the Chinese made deal, don't care, I love 'em
Have a few Walker & Williams but Couch are my #1!!
Hang onto that, that's a collector piece! I wasn't aware that MM ever did straps in leather.
I have an older (made by Levi's) "Fender" logo strap, in "Oak" leather. They also came in black. I've seen them on E-Bay for almost $300! Apparently they are very sought after. Nice strap, I paid around $50-60 standard retail at the time.
Same with the Vintage "Ace" straps- You know, the geographic prints, Hendrix-Peace style & so-on. They are collectibles.
Check out E-Bay for some fun and some really nice custom style straps.
I'm a strap-freak. I have some beauts. Most are made-to-order by some very cool small leather peeps and such. I also
am a fan of, and use the "standard" makes, inc. Couch: (to match my TUNE "Shelby Cobra" bass)
and Levi's etc.
Besides being a pretentious snob
, one of the reasons I have straps made is that the preferred length for me-Keyhole-keyhole is 43" and a lot of stock straps don't come that length. Why do you guys (and girls) insist on wearing your bass around your ankles? I'm 6' btw, so don't even.....Good builders, like Couch, Jeri Heart, etc. will cut to that length by request, and I have several of each of those and more!
Wish i had a pic of my NYC Heavy Leather Camouflage Leather strap I had made, or my Head-Porter LTd. edition that i picked up in Japan! Maybe will take & post!
(Told you I'm a snob!)
I have a dark Oxblood leather Fret Sling strap that I bought 40 years ago (77) and it's still my favourite of all the straps I own. Bought it to match my 73 Burgundyglo 4001. The strap has a pick holder sewn into it which at the time was unheard of. It's 3.5" wide and cut to comfortably fit over the shoulder.
TD
TD
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I don't care much for brand. Wide, well padded and absolutely no metal or plastic parts anywhere on the strap. No matter how ergonomic, but when anything like that, even plastic parts, touch a fragile finish, they do make marks in the long run. All leather, and cloth, and if I have to adjust it, which is a one time only, it will take a while to find the spot, but once set, it's forget. These ones will do:
But these ones, and the like, are a big huge no-no in my book:
And as well as these ones, and the rest of the metal straps out there (these ones are a huge no-no too, a big make-cross-with-the-fingers):
I find this peculiar. People and music stores refrain from lending out their basses to people with belts because belt buckles makes marks. All of a sudden "buckles" are allowed to wear on the strap, and doesn't take into account what happens when you put your bass in the case with the strap still strapped on to the bass, even if you tidy it up nicely before closing the lid, or closing the zipper of the gig bag. Beats me, and eludes me. That it doesn't have contact while playing makes no sense to me. It' the rest of the time that matters.
But these ones, and the like, are a big huge no-no in my book:
And as well as these ones, and the rest of the metal straps out there (these ones are a huge no-no too, a big make-cross-with-the-fingers):
I find this peculiar. People and music stores refrain from lending out their basses to people with belts because belt buckles makes marks. All of a sudden "buckles" are allowed to wear on the strap, and doesn't take into account what happens when you put your bass in the case with the strap still strapped on to the bass, even if you tidy it up nicely before closing the lid, or closing the zipper of the gig bag. Beats me, and eludes me. That it doesn't have contact while playing makes no sense to me. It' the rest of the time that matters.
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- Oct 22, 2015
- 21,164
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- Disclosures
- I am an affiliate for Ari Cap.
This Levy's tan PM32 is the first new strap since I bought my bass new in 79. At first it was a pain to work over the strap button on the horn but it's broken in nicely now. Very pleased with the comfort I experience with my heavy (10 pounds feels heavy to me now LOL) bass. My pic only captures the tail of the strap, but the intent of the shot was to show it goes well with the finish on my bass. The bracelet I tied into the tail is mine and didn't come with the strap!
The original strap that came with my 'Ray is a three inch black cotton number with black leather ends and a (very worn) MusicMan logo. It's extremely comfortable. I wear it with a small "Monk" (as in Thelonious) pin on the front. I'd use the strap still if it weren't kind of worn after all these years, and also because I've come to dislike black leather. Not keen on piercing the leather of the Levy's to use my Monk pin.
I believe a three inch strap is the narrowest I can wear with my heavy bass. I love the appearance of my Planet Waves camel suede strap but for me it's too narrow and too thin. The padding on the Levy's helps a great deal, as the Levy's is as nearly comfortable to me as the original MM strap.
The original strap that came with my 'Ray is a three inch black cotton number with black leather ends and a (very worn) MusicMan logo. It's extremely comfortable. I wear it with a small "Monk" (as in Thelonious) pin on the front. I'd use the strap still if it weren't kind of worn after all these years, and also because I've come to dislike black leather. Not keen on piercing the leather of the Levy's to use my Monk pin.
I believe a three inch strap is the narrowest I can wear with my heavy bass. I love the appearance of my Planet Waves camel suede strap but for me it's too narrow and too thin. The padding on the Levy's helps a great deal, as the Levy's is as nearly comfortable to me as the original MM strap.
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And yes there's too many of those people with "what's the best strap for metal" complaining about this or that bass is bit too heavy for them while trying all the basses out with these kind of straps on:
I've yet to see any thread on hear about the straps weight. It always about the basses. Straps can add considerably to any bass weight, and - especially - balance.
I've yet to see any thread on hear about the straps weight. It always about the basses. Straps can add considerably to any bass weight, and - especially - balance.
My parameters:
1) 3" width
2) Prefer padding, but on some fine, soft leathers, it is not needed. There's also a school of thought that the padding "gives way' after time. Not sure I agree w/this...
3) Length- 43" Keyhole-keyhole for me, either adjustable, or preferably made or cut to order, with (1) "extra" hole allowance in case I have just eaten a Grande Burrito.
I agree w/post re: metal decor, buckles etc. I have some w/conchos etc and buckles and one must use care, even setting bass on stand, etc. Some of those bad-boys are heavy, and can mar the finish if you don't look out.
I have a strap that "fits" & matches for each of my basses. Of course they can & do interchange, but..
Anyhow, to visuals, I found a builder on E-bay, used to be a well-known saddle-maker, Buddy Rogers. His wife handles the very nice straps. Adjustable to my preference, padded, & I think nicely designed & created:
Enjoy! (I hope)
Oh, and here's a couple "Bonus" shots:
1) 3" width
2) Prefer padding, but on some fine, soft leathers, it is not needed. There's also a school of thought that the padding "gives way' after time. Not sure I agree w/this...
3) Length- 43" Keyhole-keyhole for me, either adjustable, or preferably made or cut to order, with (1) "extra" hole allowance in case I have just eaten a Grande Burrito.
I agree w/post re: metal decor, buckles etc. I have some w/conchos etc and buckles and one must use care, even setting bass on stand, etc. Some of those bad-boys are heavy, and can mar the finish if you don't look out.
I have a strap that "fits" & matches for each of my basses. Of course they can & do interchange, but..
Anyhow, to visuals, I found a builder on E-bay, used to be a well-known saddle-maker, Buddy Rogers. His wife handles the very nice straps. Adjustable to my preference, padded, & I think nicely designed & created:
Enjoy! (I hope)
Oh, and here's a couple "Bonus" shots:
