Make sure to try a neoprene when you're out shopping. I bought a Levy Ergo-Strap last year and never use it. Feels very uncomfortable to me.
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wide bass straps
- Thread starter OmegaBass16
- Start date
I believe it was about $20 and he let me look through his leather scraps and find the pieces I liked color wise. It's backed with suede so it grips real nice. It's not something a shoemaker ordinarily does obviously, but if you go to one and tell them what you're looking to do, they certainly have the ability to make one. Plus, like watchmakers, they're good folks to give business to.
I also like wider straps, even for my lighter basses, and there's been some good suggestions so far! The cobbler idea is great... I've got a 6-string Stambaugh on order, maybe I'll see if I can find someone local for that extra-special final touch. 
+1 to neoprene as well... I've gotten Comfort Strapps for my last three basses. While they're only 3.5" wide, they're sure nice and squishy!
Here's a random oddity I'll throw into the mix: I was visiting family back home and while we were in Keystone, SD, I happened across a little shop that had a strap that I KNEW had to go with my Fender MIA Jazz V. The rivets and "chain-mail" looking straps look killer with the silver/black pearl... it's actually a woman's belt I picked up for $13. All I added were the straplocks! lol
5sg.
+1 to neoprene as well... I've gotten Comfort Strapps for my last three basses. While they're only 3.5" wide, they're sure nice and squishy!
Here's a random oddity I'll throw into the mix: I was visiting family back home and while we were in Keystone, SD, I happened across a little shop that had a strap that I KNEW had to go with my Fender MIA Jazz V. The rivets and "chain-mail" looking straps look killer with the silver/black pearl... it's actually a woman's belt I picked up for $13. All I added were the straplocks! lol
5sg.
I've got a 4" Moody on my (almost) 12lb 70s fretless Jazz - made a world of difference in playing comfort.
Australian or New Zealand leather is the best in the word for padded straps so do an eBay serach and see what you come up with.
I own a Greco Les Paul Bass with a solid Mahogany body that weights a ton. So I bought a strap that goes over both shoulders like a saxophone harness. Now the weight is shared by both shoulders and distributed accross your back. It's the best for heavy instruments, unless you want to throw your axe over your shoulder then you'll strangle yourself to the amusement of the audience.
I own a Greco Les Paul Bass with a solid Mahogany body that weights a ton. So I bought a strap that goes over both shoulders like a saxophone harness. Now the weight is shared by both shoulders and distributed accross your back. It's the best for heavy instruments, unless you want to throw your axe over your shoulder then you'll strangle yourself to the amusement of the audience.
I go with a 3"wide strap made of neoprene(diving suits),from Levy's.Excellent w/heavier guitars.Kinda like a shock absorber.
They have been running this as a "rolling sale." The two-day limit has been rolling forward every day for a couple weeks now.
Like so many small businesses, they need to keep the cash flow moving, and are willing to take a smaller profit to meet that end.
I should be getting one from them any day now via e-bay - probably an overstock or customer return they put up for auction rather than selling it through their online storefront.
What was the problem? I've been using those Levi straps with the 5" wide pad, and I've found them highly adaptable - the pad has a velcro strip, and so does the strap, so the pad can be solidly placed anywhere on the strap, for any height adjustment.73jbass said:
Seriously, these things are worth some serious investigation.
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I have a Black/Amber 4"-wide Long version of this strap and LOVE it! It spreads the weight of my Fender 5er beautifully and it will clearly outlive me. Italia straps aren't inexpensive, but they are $50 LESS than the version "offered" (sold out) in the TalkBass shop. THROUGH WEDNESDAY ONLY, Italia is offering a killer 2-for-1 deal!
I also have a black, 4"-wide leather Levy strap that is very comfortable. It's more pliable than the Italia, however, so it doesn't seem to distribute the weight quite as well.
Good luck.
Bluesy Soul
Another vote for the Italia's. Their 4-inch straps really save my shoulders on long sessions with my old P-basses
I just love the neoprene straps but have found that I am allergic to neoprene of all things. I found out it's called "contact dermatitus". This really sucks.
Has anyone else found that they are allergic to neoprene?
Otherwise I use the Levy glove leather 3.5" straps. Interesting that one poster found that the Italia was more comfortable.
Bingo!! I have two of these straps....incredibly comfy....a little bouncy but only if your going nuts on stage ,which i dont....and thier only 30 bucks...i strap my BTB and conklin with these babies.
the day i can spend 80 dollars on ONE strap is the same day im buying a boat!.....cause if im gonna piss my wife off...im gonna piss her off good
I have a Black/Amber 4"-wide Long version of this strap and LOVE it! It spreads the weight of my Fender 5er beautifully and it will clearly outlive me. Italia straps aren't inexpensive, but they are $50 LESS than the version "offered" (sold out) in the TalkBass shop. THROUGH WEDNESDAY ONLY, Italia is offering a killer 2-for-1 deal!
I also have a black, 4"-wide leather Levy strap that is very comfortable. It's more pliable than the Italia, however, so it doesn't seem to distribute the weight quite as well.
Good luck.
Bluesy Soul
Scootron and I just went in together for a pair of these Italia straps. Came in a few days ago. Great straps...and I have three of 'em! And Italia has been re-issuing the offer every week or so for the last month or so. I've been watching.
The 4-1/2 Levy's straps are nice as well. But as someone said, they aren't very pliable.
The Italia certainly gets my vote. As nice as any Moody and about 1/2 as much or less!
dcr
Received my 2 Italia straps today - pretty quick (week & 1/2 from order date). Very nice straps indeed - one is black leather, the other is a a LTD Edition Golden Brown Suede. Both 4" and really comfortable.
I think I'm going to do some hunting this weekend. There's a couple cobblers I know of in my neighborhood, so maybe I'll stop in. I've got a custom Stambaugh on order, so I want to get something truly unique (but tasteful) to go with it. Thanks for the idea Dangorange!
5sg.
