Strap it on! Favorite Bass Strap

[Jay2U]

The longest steplessly adjustable black straps with a minimum width of 2" will do.

 

[Tom Howland]

4" Italia for me, that's after 35 years of whatever 2" padded nylon strap.

4" Italia for me too. I also have two 3" vintage Ace straps on my old Fenders.

 

[Stevorebob]

...But these ones, and the like, are a big huge no-no in my book:

View attachment 1657109

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):

View attachment 1657114


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.

How about just removing the strap when putting the bass in its case? Too much trouble? Then how about some strap locks?

 

[Slinger]

Plain black or brown 3" leather from Leathergraft in Liverpool via eBay. They do "extra long" (54" to 62") which I prefer.

 

[Tom Bomb]

This one's given me some mileage -

… they call it 'Tribal Sun' ​

 

[Nev375]

I'm not that picky. I have a preference for leather and it's a plus if it looks nice. But as long as it's long enough to go around my fat backside and not so narrow it digs into my shoulder I'm happy. It's been a while since I gave straps any thought at all.

 

[fleizenkruz]

Super thick padded and wide, my kind of strap

 

[Honch]

How about just removing the strap when putting the bass in its case? Too much trouble?

Yes, it's just what's wearing them out, so the fit won't be kept as tight. And....you said it yourself...

Then how about some strap locks?

This...
is what makes it even more cumbersome to remove them all of the time. I use these plastic ones that are behind the strap leather so it won't ever touch wood. Yes, I keep one strap for each bass, because if I use one strap only, I'll have to readjust each time I change basses. I only take them off when under maintenance of course.

 

[Ghastly]

I have a variety, but my current favorite is a custom Ethos strap my wife got for my birthday…

 

[Fat Freddy]

These for me.....Top quality, sensible price......

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[J-Bassomatic]

I have some old 3" Franklin Straps that I've used for a very long time, they are nice and soft and have held up well. However, I went to see about getting some more and didn't find it to be near the same thickness and quality as my old ones, so I don't know if I'd recommend them anymore.

I just bought a Franklin strap yesterday, seems quite nice so far.

 

[bherman]

Another vote for Italia 4". Extremely comfortable, looks like they'll last forever. Get on their email list and they often run sales @ 2 for $99, with free shipping. Great value at that price.

 

[Rich Fiscus]

You will love the leather one. How is the neoprene version? May want one for a backup or for my fretless 5.

It's extremely comfortable, just not in the same way as a good padded leather strap. The neeoprene pieces are constructed kind of like heavy duty backpack straps. Since only the bits that go over your shoulders are neoprene, you still get the same stiffness across your back to anchor the second strap and maintain the geometry.

I would certainly say it's the highest quality strap I've ever seen that isn't leather. If you get one, I'd love to find out how they compare.

 

[bass4more]

Eldorado Vintage

 

[Bobby Bass]

I have a lot of straps. Levy's, Franklin, Comfort Strap, Fret Sling, PRS, Onori & a bunch of no name that I tried. I use different Franklin Cinch or Leather & Comfort Straps the most.Anyone use the Lakota Bison straps?

 

[bass12]

Levy's two-inch nylon with leather ends. Simple, efficient and inexpensive.

 

[farace]

My favorite strap is one I had made by a local leather worker back in the '90s. The cost was no more than a decent-quality commercial strap. I brought her a basic two-part 3" leather strap I already had, and she copied the shape, but I had her adjust the size--I'm not particularly tall, and I like to wear my Bass a bit on the high side, so most straps are a little too long for me. I also had her pad the back side. She sewed on some very thick dyed-black fleece. The strap itself is made from a higher quality leather than the strap I brought her as a model. It's plain and simple, as I like it. I also like straps that have a rough back, to help hold whatever position I put the bass in. If I used slippery nylon, I'd be complaining about neck dive.

I want to have her make me another, but she's moved her shop a few times and I haven't tracked her down yet.

 

[Adhesive_X]

lock-it strap. got tired of installing strap locks

Lock-It Straps Professional Gig Series 2" Brown Poly Strap with Locking Ends

 

[Burwabit]

My favorites...

From the left...
- Reunion Blues merino wool is far superior to a plain nylon strap. I have this strap in 3 colors
- Moody distressed almost too thick for straploks but soft, bendable, and very high quality leather
- El Dorado Original is an awesome 50s style strap
- Moody 4" is by far the best wide strap I've used. Worth every $.01 and my #1 for gigs
- Levy's MSS90 is my favorite Levy's

 

[B-line]

"Cool Straps" Python (or is it Cobra?)
Eldorado "Santana