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The great strap shootout thread! Post your strap reviews here.

If you had a budget of $50 and had to pick a strap from bassstringsonline for a +10lbs ash bodied Jazz bass, which strap would you get?
I've looked at the Planet Waves 3" Nylon strap with internal pad, and I've very skeptical.
Right now I use a Planet Waves 2.5" leather paisley patterned strap, which works well for all my basses under 9lbs, but I'd like something with padding.
Any suggestions?
I'd sell the bass.

having said that, anything over 3.5" rides up the side of my neck, so 3-3.5" works for me. Neoprene padded is very comfortable. so...

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I'd sell the bass.

having said that, anything over 3.5" rides up the side of my neck, so 3-3.5" works for me. Neoprene padded is very comfortable. so...

Invalid Link Removed
I wish I could, but then I wouldn't have a bass for this gig. We'll reassess the bass situation after I have a few shows under my belt (and more cash in my pocket).
I looked at that Levy's but I've seen some reviews that say it's "bouncy". I move too much to put up with a bouncy strap.
 
I wish I could, but then I wouldn't have a bass for this gig. We'll reassess the bass situation after I have a few shows under my belt (and more cash in my pocket).
I looked at that Levy's but I've seen some reviews that say it's "bouncy". I move too much to put up with a bouncy strap.
Then expand your search beyond BSO. I love them, but there are better straps out there. I love the NeoTech Mega:

Amazon.com: Neotech 8301052 Mega Bass Strap, Black: Musical Instruments

And be sure not to get it through Amazon from Brook Mays. Those guys are dicks.
 
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
Levy's Signature Series Padded Leather XL Guitar Strap in Black

The ones I had were all black including the logo. I don't like the new ones (black with brown logo on them). It is a very nice looking and very well built strap. Pretty comfortable but expensive. However I don't mean it's not worth the money, if you take care of it, you can use it for years.

I lost three of them in a row, and decided to punish my self by not buying any more expensive straps. If you are a regular person who doesn't loose his/her $*!+ all the times, I recommend getting one.

Verdict:
Comfort: 8/10
Design: 9/10
Materials: 9/10
Value for money: 7/10
 
For "normal sized" bassists, I agree with the Pro Comfort Strapp. It's all I used for years. But I've gained weight over the years, and now the "Long" isn't quite long enough for me; while the "Extra Long", while long enough, doesn't sit on my shoulder on the "sweet spot". But if it fits you right, it is the most comfortable IMO.

But I've been using the Mono Betty for several years. Long enough for me, and ALMOST as comfortable as the Comfort Strapp. Look for them on sale though, because they can be a bit pricey.

Another favorite of mine are the Walker & Williams Premier line. Very nice, although I have to pay the extra $10.00 for the strap extender to make it long enough for me.
 
The most comfortable strap I own for my heavy bass is the three inch woven cotton one with leather ends that came new with my bass. The closest to that I see today is the Franklin cinch strap, but I don't yet have one to confirm. I don't much use my original strap because it's so ratty after so long.
 
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The most comfortable strap I own for my heavy bass is the three inch woven cotton one with leather ends that came new with my bass. The closest to that I see today is the Franklin cinch strap, but I don't yet have one to confirm. I don't much use my original strap because it's so ratty after so long.
I have a Franklin Cinch Strap & I like on my Jazz Bass. Comfortable for me & my old shoulder needs it.
 
I really liked the looks of two of the Pete Schmidt straps but those in particular were never in stock. Instead I ordered a couple from Minotaur in Greece. They are rigid, lightly padded and very nice looking. I am not built like a bass player so I was worried that the 4.5" width would be too wide. Not at all. Very comfortable. There was even free shipping to USA since my order was for two straps. They were around $40 each. The leather is maybe a little on the shiny side but that will change in time.

They are definitely "cover band" straps built for the long gig. I like the looks of my Couch straps for playing an hour or less with an original band.

This thread has been a valuable resource and I'm glad to be able to share.
 
I've used a TON over the years. The BEST I've found are the Reunion Blues Merino Wool straps for $39.99 they are the softest, and have heavy duty metal hardware.
I have one of those and I like it well enough but that hardware is capable of taking out chunks of finish if the strap is installed backwards. None of my Basses weigh a lot so I'm perfectly good with the $6.99 Ernie Ball nylon straps available everywhere. I have 4 or 5 of those.
 
I played innumerable gigs with a custom made leather strap. Only last year was I turned on to a Moody strap. Soft and comfortable don't touch it. This thing is like a plush, heated/air conditioned Jaguar seat or something. Even after being soaked in sweat it always stays plush and perfect. Oh yeah, I am a Moody's convert.
 
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I have one of those and I like it well enough but that hardware is capable of taking out chunks of finish if the strap is installed backwards. None of my Basses weigh a lot so I'm perfectly good with the $6.99 Ernie Ball nylon straps available everywhere. I have 4 or 5 of those.
I used to use nothing but them and I was so happy. Those days are over.
 
What is it called in the car magazines when they re-review a car after living with it for a while? That's what this is, except it's about my Levy's PM32 tan and black 3 inch padded strap.

The original concern was the fight to attach it to the bass. The button on the horn presented a the greatest struggle. The thickness of the leather made it a chore to secure on the button. (It's OEM Music Man hardware.) A year of use and it's much easier to affix. And it feels quite secure when it's in place.

Turns out the Levy's is totally useful with my 4 kg bass. I find it much more comfortable than originally judged. Not as pretty in my opinion as my 2.5 inch tan suede strap, but I find much more wearable owing to the weight of my bass.

New out of the box, the strap came with a bit of black shoelace style string looped through one of the holes in the tail. Wasn't so sure what to do with it and let it hang for a while from the upper hole. Until, that is, it flashed on me to tie in a bracelet:

WP_20170524_17_22_46_Pro.jpg

"What's that do?" a friend asks, in the knowledge I wear jewelry created for my purpose(s).

"Hangs there," I reply. And I recall a joke posted somewhere here on TB about real magic: touch it and it turns the guitar down. "Hangs there" is good enough.
 
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I love this thread so much I decided to register to these forums even though I'm not a bass player but would love to give my input as I'm currently in the same position as the original poster; in search of that perfect strap.

I'm a guitar player of over 15 years and have owned and played many different guitars over the years of various weights, shape and sizes.

I would like to share my experiences:

A precursor:
It starts with the instrument, much more so than the strap.
After years of playing and owning many different guitars of different shapes, brands, sizes and weights I still always had some soreness overall. Even with what most people would consider a light guitar at 7lbs, I couldn't handle it after a 2 hour rehearsal without feeling some pinch or some fatigue. I have come as close to building my own warmoth telecaster that weighs in at 5-ish lbs. I sourced the lightest body, the lightest pickups, the lightest hardware etc, I went through many many hours and days of painstaking googling to find a way to make this guitar as light as possible. Long gone are the days where I used to just suck it up and play my 13lb Les Paul standard because of the 'mojo' and wearing myself out every gig because of it. Don't settle for the 'tone' if it means sacrificing your health over it! This helped greatly but not completely. I also own a strandberg that weighs in at 4lbs! And unfortunately, as light as she is, after long rehearsals I still FEEL that soreness coming!


And so, the search for the ultimate strap continues:
I have tried many many many straps to this day and have come to conclude that it's very very subjective, certain straps will work for others while some will not. Because everybody's body is built differently and everybody has different tolerances and different levels of tolerances. And to note, I have no history of any serious neck or shoulder injuries. Here are my opinions.

I need something that will make me 'feel' like the guitar weighs less. Or at least feel like the weight is distributed better somehow. So that one can rehearse and play 3 hour sets without aching and needing to go to the chiropractor the next day. A leather strap, especially a quality one like a Moody, which I've had, weigh nearly 3lbs on it's own vs something like a neoprene or nylon strap, which weighs nothing. So HOW can one say that their heavy leather strap that's 3" wide, helps with reliving shoulder/neck fatigue? You're adding MORE weight to the TOTAL weight of the guitar with that heavy strap! It's illogical to the goal I'm trying to achieve. The 3" or 4" width helps, yes but NOT THAT MUCH in relation to the overall weight! That, or clearly, my definition of comfort is NOT the same as the ones who vouch for heavy leather straps.

I've had 2 moody straps, tried the gruv gear solo as well, they were all just too heavy, and NOT giving me that 'weight reduced' feeling. Not worth critically reviewing in my opinion.

The only straps I currently use are comfort strapps, I have found them to be the most effective SO FAR. Even when compared to the Mono Betty Strap, which I've also tried, and although is sturdy and feels quite good, I felt the comfort strapps were just a bit more comfortable. I have both the guitar version and the bass (wider) version. I use the bass version for my telecaster, and I use the guitar version for my strandberg. They are comfortable, the feel is nice and it doesn't cut into my neck like the gruv gear did. The design in my opinion is a bit basic. And in terms of durability, it's definitely not water resistant, in fact it seems to soak up all my sweat from shows but after drying off, returns back to normal. So i'm not sure. It can smell funky too if not cared for properly. The unfortunate thing, is that although these straps would probably be sufficient for most, for me, after 2-3 hours of rehearsing, I still feel the fatigue.
To be consistent with JakobT's posts, i would rate the comfort strapp as so:

Comfort: 8/10
Design: 7/10
Materials: 6/10
Value for money: 7/10

I have just recently purchased an ESO Strap. I basically took a leap of faith on this one as there are no real reviews on this. All the 'highly rated articles' they cite on their website from premier guitar/guitar world etc are simple copy and paste descriptions of the product rather than an actual review. I do, however, like the concept; the strap is S shaped so the strap doesn't actually rest so close to your neck, but instead closer to the shoulder. As i find myself actually doing this after long rehearsals with the comfort strapp, in between songs, or whatnot, moving the strap further away from the neck and placing it there for a few seconds or minutes, helps alleviate the soreness temporarily. So it'll be interesting to try this at my next few rehearsals with my tele. And I think many would benefit from hearing a REAL review on this sort of unknown strap.

I also found out about the KLIQ Air cell guitar strap from this thread so I ordered one. Again, this one doesn't seem to have many reviews either, but definitely more than the ESO strap. I'll be comparing them both at rehearsals in the next few weeks and follow up with reviews for both of these products.
 
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I love this thread so much I decided to register to these forums even though I'm not a bass player but would love to give my input as I'm currently in the same position as the original poster; in search of that perfect strap.

I'm a guitar player of over 15 years and have owned and played many different guitars over the years of various weights, shape and sizes.

I would like to share my experiences:

A precursor:
It starts with the instrument, much more so than the strap.
After years of playing and owning many different guitars of different shapes, brands, sizes and weights I still always had some soreness overall. Even with what most people would consider a light guitar at 7lbs, I couldn't handle it after a 2 hour rehearsal without feeling some pinch or some fatigue. I have come as close to building my own warmoth telecaster that weighs in at 5-ish lbs. I sourced the lightest body, the lightest pickups, the lightest hardware etc, I went through many many hours and days of painstaking googling to find a way to make this guitar as light as possible. Long gone are the days where I used to just suck it up and play my 13lb Les Paul standard because of the 'mojo' and wearing myself out every gig because of it. Don't settle for the 'tone' if it means sacrificing your health over it! This helped greatly but not completely. I also own a strandberg that weighs in at 4lbs! And unfortunately, as light as she is, after long rehearsals I still FEEL that soreness coming!


And so, the search for the ultimate strap continues:
I have tried many many many straps to this day and have come to conclude that it's very very subjective, certain straps will work for others while some will not. Because everybody's body is built differently and everybody has different tolerances and different levels of tolerances. And to note, I have no history of any serious neck or shoulder injuries. Here are my opinions.

I need something that will make me 'feel' like the guitar weighs less. Or at least feel like the weight is distributed better somehow. So that one can rehearse and play 3 hour sets without aching and needing to go to the chiropractor the next day. A leather strap, especially a quality one like a Moody, which I've had, weigh nearly 3lbs on it's own vs something like a neoprene or nylon strap, which weighs nothing. So HOW can one say that their heavy leather strap that's 3" wide, helps with reliving shoulder/neck fatigue? You're adding MORE weight to the TOTAL weight of the guitar with that heavy strap! It's illogical to the goal I'm trying to achieve. The 3" or 4" width helps, yes but NOT THAT MUCH in relation to the overall weight! That, or clearly, my definition of comfort is NOT the same as the ones who vouch for heavy leather straps.

I've had 2 moody straps, tried the gruv gear solo as well, they were all just too heavy, and NOT giving me that 'weight reduced' feeling. Not worth critically reviewing in my opinion.

The only straps I currently use are comfort strapps, I have found them to be the most effective SO FAR. Even when compared to the Mono Betty Strap, which I've also tried, and although is sturdy and feels quite good, I felt the comfort strapps were just a bit more comfortable. I have both the guitar version and the bass (wider) version. I use the bass version for my telecaster, and I use the guitar version for my strandberg. They are comfortable, the feel is nice and it doesn't cut into my neck like the gruv gear did. The design in my opinion is a bit basic. And in terms of durability, it's definitely not water resistant, in fact it seems to soak up all my sweat from shows but after drying off, returns back to normal. So i'm not sure. It can smell funky too if not cared for properly. The unfortunate thing, is that although these straps would probably be sufficient for most, for me, after 2-3 hours of rehearsing, I still feel the fatigue.
To be consistent with JakobT's posts, i would rate the comfort strapp as so:

Comfort: 8/10
Design: 7/10
Materials: 6/10
Value for money: 7/10

I have just recently purchased an ESO Strap. I basically took a leap of faith on this one as there are no real reviews on this. All the 'highly rated articles' they cite on their website from premier guitar/guitar world etc are simple copy and paste descriptions of the product rather than an actual review. I do, however, like the concept; the strap is S shaped so the strap doesn't actually rest so close to your neck, but instead closer to the shoulder. As i find myself actually doing this after long rehearsals with the comfort strapp, in between songs, or whatnot, moving the strap further away from the neck and placing it there for a few seconds or minutes, helps alleviate the soreness temporarily. So it'll be interesting to try this at my next few rehearsals with my tele. And I think many would benefit from hearing a REAL review on this sort of unknown strap.

I also found out about the KLIQ Air cell guitar strap from this thread so I ordered one. Again, this one doesn't seem to have many reviews either, but definitely more than the ESO strap. I'll be comparing them both at rehearsals in the next few weeks and follow up with reviews for both of these products.
Welcome to Talkbass, @maximilian moy! Glad you liked the thread enough to revive it. :)

Since I started this thread I’ve eventually settled on the Italia straps, as they’ve turned out to have the best combination of features among those I’ve tried, and I also found that the things that were less than satisfactory at the time of my original review improved considerably once the straps were broken in.

Obviously, choice of strap is a very personal thing, and since I devised the rating system used in my original reviews I’ve come to realize that to me, everything boils down to a few factors:

First of all, there is the question of comfort. This is dependent in part on weight distribution, i.e. the strap should distribute the weight of the instrument evenly, without putting undue pressure on any part of the body. The strap should have no sharp edges, and the material should be comfortable, and - ideally - at least somewhat breathable.

Then there is security. The strap should support the instrument securely during normal use, ideally without the use of straplocks or other accessories. You should also be able to attach and remove it without difficulty.

Adjustability. The strap should have a reasonable range of adjustment, allow you to wear your instrument at the playing height most comfortable for you, and do this without the use of hardware that could damage the finish of your guitar or bass.

There is also (for want of a better word) packability. The ability to fold or roll the strap so it can be easily carried in a case or a gig bag is very important. A strap that is difficult to bring with you will tend to be left at home.

Finally, there is longevity. The strap should be hard-wearing, and be able to withstand the rigours of the road without losing any of the above properties.

Thank you again for your appreciation of this thread, I’m looking forward to reading your strap reviews!
 
I haven't tried every strap in the world out but here's what I have tried:

Comfort Strapp---hated it. The woven part is thinner than the padding and it digs into my shoulder something fierce.

Slapstrap---made by the guy who makes the Slapring, liked this one, wish I hadn't cut the tail too small to be useful, been meaning to get another tail for it.

Italia 5" strap---a hard piece of heavy leather that looks like it was slapped together in a hurry. Don't hate it as much as the Comfort Strapp, but will never get another one.

Planet Waves Bass Strap---a surprise. Was not expecting this one to be comfortable on my bum shoulder, but it is unless my shoulder is really sore.

Levy's MSS2-4---my favorite. 4 1/2" inches, light soft leather with padding, very comfy.
Since this thread got started back up again, just thought I'd add an update or two since I've added a strap to the collection and resurrected a couple. First the resurrections:

Slapstrap: Got a new tail made for it that's longer, and I am really digging it again, although there are times it feels kind of hard on my shoulder. But I have to be pretty zonked for that to happen, and normally it feels great. Looks extremely cool, too.

Old leather 3 1/2" strap of unknown origin: Came with a bass I bought about 16 years ago that I no longer have. Smelled funny so I threw it in a box in a garage and forgot about it till earlier this year. I threw it in a bucket with water and bleach and got rid of the smell, then tried it again. The leather is nice and very soft, but it's got no padding so it's not as comfy as I was hoping. Not as bad as that hard Italia strap, but not great, either.

Now for the one I added:

Levy's MSS2: Since the MSS2-4 looks so orthopedic and I lost a bunch of weight and started working out regularly again, I thought a thinner version of it would be great for me. But it started out very hard and it discouraged me until I started breaking it in by rolling it over and over. This caused it to loosen up and actually feel pretty good most of the time. But I have to revert to the MSS2-4 when I use my heavier basses, and even with my very light Hammersmith PJ, it can cause pain if I play too many gigs in a row.

So most of the time I use the MSS2 or Slapstrap until they start to get to me, then I bust out the MSS2-4, which is still the most comfy strap I have. I sure do miss the days when I could buy the cheapest 2" seatbelt strap in the store and use it all week long with no pain, though. I've spent way too much money on straps. But at least I won't have to buy anymore so that's something :D
 
What I said ^
yet in the light of the present and a properly diagnosed and treated mildly arthritic shoulder with never mind all that it's painful to hang a heavy bass for a while. And in search of a strap when I should have been in search of proper medical care, acquired several more straps.

@JakobT and @JimmyM bring important insights to the discussion :: tip o' the Hatlo hat ::

What works best for me are three inch wide fabric straps. This style strap conforms to my body better than the padded leather styles. Second best for me is a cut-to-length supple leather strap with no padding. A proper fit first.
 
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Thanks to @JimmyM and @Morrighan for your contributions to the discussion. It just goes to show how different needs we all have, and that what works great for one person might not work at all for someone else.

Sometimes I think that straps should be modular - I’ve had several straps that were otherwise great, but are let down by just one thing. If we could mix and match, things would be a lot easier! :)
 
here's my review of the ESO strap after spending a weekend with it:

Good but not great:

I don't mind the look, it's a stiff material, and seems very durable. Water resistant as they state. the whole S curve idea of it works as advertised. Meaning that the shoulder fatigue is definitely gone and not so much of a problem anymore. Though I noticed, after 2 hours of rehearsal or so, it wasn't my shoulders anymore, but more my back that started to feel fatigued. It's as if the S curve does what it states; moves away from the neck and avoids certain pressure points. BUT that's all it does, it doesn't mean that your body will be 100% better now. It just means, the fatigue moves to other parts of your body. In this case, my back. The other thing is, the S curve is at a very specific spot. You need to place the widest point of the S curve to the center of your shoulder. Meaning I have to pay attention to where this is sitting pretty much at all times for it to be effective. Which is kind of difficult for me especially if one moves around on stage etc and has lots of other things to worry about. I'm used to my guitars moving around on me as I move on stage, it's natural for me and cannot have the instrument fixed in the same position at all times, that's just not how it works when you're trying to put on a good show and have fun with the crowd!

The high density foam is thin and stiff, not really any 'give'. And i don't believe it's meant to, since it's high density foam, maybe after aging it will soften up but for the comfort I'm looking for, it's not sufficient.

Adjustability is great, I love the idea of the two adjusters on both ends. The pick holder is a nice touch too, very simple, it's just an opened part of the leather end. Nothing fancy but works!

The leather holes are tight as it's new leather. Brazilian leather i think they say. So putting it on the first time will be a little tough but will get better over time. I use schaller strap locks so I don't have issues.

For the looks, the ESO strap looks fine for me. It looks sort of like a belt at a distance, the S curve can't really be seen from a distance if that bothers you. I like thinner looking straps overall and this one aesthetically is more pleasing to me. For packability, I'm simple. I leave the straps on my guitars at all times, and pack them in gig bags with them on. So I don't need extra pockets etc, as long as I can lay them flat on the top of the instrument and close up the gig bag, i'm fine. And this packs just fine in that sense. I can see thicker leather straps being a bit of an issue.

Also compared this to my 3" wide comfort strapp and noticed a few differences. Where the ESO strap simply moves the weight of the guitar closer to the shoulder vs the neck, the entire weight of the instrument is still fully there, and you can feel it. With the comfort strapp, the instrument ACTUALLY FEELS LIGHTER when it's on you, right from the beginning. This is of course due to the design, the materials used and the width of the strap.

So overall I'd give this a 7/10. It's good, made in USA, good materials, sturdy, and does what it says. But I'm looking for something more. Something that will beat the comfort strapp.

Maybe if the comfort strapp and the ESO strap had a baby...

Returning the ESO..sticking to the comfort strapp for now..KLIQ air cell guitar strap review coming soon!