What Your Strap Length Says About You

[PeaveyPlayer]

folk

 

[LanEvo]

When I started I was definitely the 'High Tower' guy (thanks to Mark King!)

I've heard that described as the "Berklee bra." lol

I try to have the strap adjusted so that the Guitar is in the same place whether I am standing or sitting.

That's what I've always done. Seems to make the most sense.

 

[GnarwhalNick]

I keep it where it is most comfortable to play. For me, different basses may require adjustment.

I was going to post this. I used to be somwehere between a knuckle dragger and low-rider (gotta love the high school punk phase lol) but I realized that most of the time, I was tilting the neck up so much and playing on the high frets that I just looked dumb. My P-bass is at my pelvic area and my Jaguar I play around my stomach. The P-bass feels just right where it is and doesn't feel right if I raise or lower it. I have long arms so it doesn't hurt my wrists. The Jaguar is a bit of a heavier instrument and the location of the pick-ups make my picking a little different than my p-bass so I raise it up a little bit and it feels perfect. I also have a Fender Kingman but I play that little higher than my stomach if I ever play with a strap because of the shape and size of the body.

But boy do I look at my old high school days and tell my self "*** were you doing" haha

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

When I was a teenager, I definitely let my bass touch my kneecaps.

Later, when I realized I wanted to actually be able to play it with some level of proficiency, I moved it up. Currently I adjust between middleman and obeyer, with obeyer being the clear winner for comfort and middleman being the clear winner for not looking like a tool.

 

[Plutonium244]

Where it rides reveals to what extent you play bass with your mind, or rock with your cock out. Closer to the brain = intellectual player; closer to the, um, pelvis = more, um, viscerally driven.

 

[Duder]

I said "middleman", but I would prefer to be closer to "folkie". I've gotta lose some gut before I can do that, though haha.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I'm a middle guy. But I know folk, country, rock, Ramones, some jazz, and I was an obeyer to my bass teacher!
Although I don't play like this, I always liked Dee Dee's style....

 

[buldog5151bass]

Probably an obeyer - no need to compensate for any inadequacies here.

 

[wideload]

I'm a middle man now. But since I've gained 75 lbs since my strap was made in 1977, I must have been a Lo Rider once! (Never could handle the BassCliff under-the-chin position, though.)

 

[comatosedragon]

Somewhere between "Middle Man" and "Obeyer", I guess. Although I must qualify that by saying that I am a big fat guy, so If I wanted to be a knuckle-dragger, I would have to sew two straps together.

 

[stringtapper]

Depends on the bass and the gig.

 

[SLO Surfer]

I think I'm between middle man and the obeyer

 

[Bourbongangster]

I've got two P/Js in "Obeyer" position, a Hofner in "middle man" and a Fakenbacker in "Low Rider".

 

[Sixgunn]

I graduated HS in '71 with a 32" waist. I now have ballooned to 33".

You must have hella stretch marks!!

 

[DwaynieAD]

i play better with it higher up, but looking cool is important. so i play in the middle.

 

[Sixgunn]

Where it rides reveals to what extent you play bass with your mind, or rock with your cock out. Closer to the brain = intellectual player; closer to the, um, pelvis = more, um, viscerally driven.

I am a firm (no pun intended) believer that bass is a "pelvic" centered instrument.

 

[gbrooding]

Multi strap length personality disorder...

 

[Pilgrim]

I'm da doofus in da middle.

I'm middle'n happy.

 

[kevteop]

I would go with 'Obeyer' and what it says about me is I've had carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists and I don't want it again.

 

[non]

I tie my strap around my waist like Steve Albini .

big black one of my favorite bands in the eighties!