Guitar straps?

Thundermtn

Thundermtn

New member
I never really thought about them, just get one and go.

So recently I've been doing a lot of guitar switches while I'm practicing and I'm figuring out that just about none of mine are really what I like. They just looked the coolest of what was in stock the day I bought the guitar.

They're the wrong length, too skinny/wide, slip too much, amount of body contact and location of where the guitar sits affects tone a little etc....

Has anyone had one that they really liked a lot and what makes it good for you. I'm going to need one custom made and start tweaking them until I'm happy with at least two. Just want to see if there was a more preferred setup, and why.

If you have a really nice one, post it up and tell us about it.
 
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Re: Guitar straps?

Wow... I've never really run into this as a big issue. I just buy 'em nice and wide because my shoulders are aging, adjust them to the right length, and it's good...

Wait... the location the guitar is sitting affects your tone? Man, I'm just gonna say it... it's all in your head.
 
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Funny... I had just finished posting and UPS dude drops off my new strap along with a couple more wall hangers. LeatherGraft... I have a few of these. Almost 4" wide, nice and thick, wears very well. The new one is a nice emerald green.
 
Re: Guitar straps?

I can only recommend measuring your current guitar straps and measuring where would like them, by measuring offsets. You, as need an assistant. But other than that look for an adjustable guitar strap. I tend to like leather straps, but if that's not your style just go forsomething both comfortable and adjustable.

As far as effecting the Tone, if it's so extremely long or extremely short that even if there is no discomort that it's not in a decent playing position then maybe, or the strap buttons may be Coming loose. I would assume, it's just effecting the style you play in.

I recommend either buying adjustable straps or if you have leather or faux leather, having them talyored to your perfection, finding someone to do it maybe tricky though.

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Re: Guitar straps?

Defiantly not in my head, A/B/C'd straps last night. Although the difference in tone is small. I think the amount of body contact and arm contact with guitar front and back along with the way my hands pick and fret at different heights is effecting it as well.

The first major problem I have is the I think all but one of mine are too short. I'm 6'5" with a 32" inseam so I have a disproportionately large torso and a lot of stuff will ride at or above my belly button. Which as I'm figuring out really sucks, If I can get it down around my belt buckle it's way more comfortable but almost none of the stuff in stores will go that long for me.
 
Re: Guitar straps?

Thundermtn said:
Defiantly not in my head, A/B/C'd straps last night. Although the difference in tone is small. I think the amount of body contact and arm contact with guitar front and back along with the way my hands pick and fret at different heights is effecting it as well.

The first major problem I have is the I think all but one of mine are too short. I'm 6'5" with a 32" inseam so I have a disproportionately large torso and a lot of stuff will ride at or above my belly button. Which as I'm figuring out really sucks, If I can get it down around my belt buckle it's way more comfortable but almost none of the stuff in stores will go that long for me.
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I think it's probably 100% picking angle. I doubt like hell the contact surface area is making enough of a diff to actually perceive.

Me, I'm lucky. I'm almost as tall as you but built like a monkey; long limbs short torso. So I can strap way low and still have my right hand in a proper position.
 
Re: Guitar straps?

Thundermtn said:
Defiantly not in my head, A/B/C'd straps last night. Although the difference in tone is small. I think the amount of body contact and arm contact with guitar front and back along with the way my hands pick and fret at different heights is effecting it as well.

The first major problem I have is the I think all but one of mine are too short. I'm 6'5" with a 32" inseam so I have a disproportionately large torso and a lot of stuff will ride at or above my belly button. Which as I'm figuring out really sucks, If I can get it down around my belt buckle it's way more comfortable but almost none of the stuff is store will go that long for me.
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Yes, I would suggest measuring the length of your straps and telling someone at your local or corporate guitar shop, whichever one is closer or you prefer, all this information and what you can do to get it to sit lower. If it effects your picking and fret contact, getting a longer one that rides where it should instead of above the belly button is your best option. I'm not sure what's best though. I'm 5'10, but I honestly just find it. Nest that only the top(roughly) 1/4 of the guitar rides above my waist. The rest should in so,e way shape or form ride on my upper leg/other thigh. The guitar should be with + or - 1/8 of that top 1/4 range in either standing or if I put my foot of the leg it's riding on, onto a low footstool.

Or if you know what size they are, buy 1 or 2 sizes longer. I would ask if they have a test wrap though, I doubt it, but it may work.

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The one that does fit me pretty well was a gift from my old drummer, who ordered it custom made so I don't know the numbers on it, he did say they laughed when he told them the length. I should probably measure it as a decent starting point but it stays on the Beast which has a really wonky size and stud location compared to my other stuff so it's not going to be much of an apples to apples comparison for my LP and V's.

Sounds like I need to go get measured, however girlie it sounds haha
 
Re: Guitar straps?

Thundermtn said:
The one that does fit me pretty well was a gift from my old drummer, who ordered it custom made so I don't know the numbers on it, he did say they laughed when he told them the length. I should probably measure it as a decent starting point but it stays on the Beast which has a really wonky size and stud location compared to my other stuff so it's not going to be much of an apples to apples comparison for my LP and V's.

Sounds like I need to go get measured, however girlie it sounds haha
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True, but it's. Decent starting point. This takes out more than half the guess work.

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Re: Guitar straps?

Strap tone? :rolleyes:

Moving on....

I don't worry myself too much about straps. It's a bit like tying your shoes or dressing yourself---just do it!

I think ebay has the best selection. There are a number of micro companies online where a couple of people hand make all of the straps, and you can find some truly unique designs---or order custom! I've got at least 25 straps, virtually all leather (no life til leather!) and 2.5" wide max, tapering down toward the ends. The following are some of my favorite mass produced and range from ~$25 to $55 for leather:

Walker & Williams
Franklin
Levy's
D'Addario/Planet Waves
Martin
Even EMG has some nice ones at the moment!

You can spend as much as you want on custom leather straps (assume $60-$100+), but again, there is a limit as to how much this matters. :dance:

When fitting straps for myself, I first stand with the guitar in the position where I have maximum ease of playing (basically as good as if I was sitting down). This is a high position you often see for jazz players, but you can look rather foolish like this as a rock player. Then I lengthen the strap by 2-3 notches from the maximum ease position so that I look more presentable on stage. :D I would never be one of those people who play with the guitar slung somewhere below their knees either, as that makes it too difficult to play and looks a bit silly anyway.
 
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MkIII Renegade said:
When fitting straps for myself, I first stand with the guitar in the position where I have maximum ease of playing (basically as good as if I was sitting down). This is a high position you often see for jazz players, but you can look rather foolish like this as a rock player. Then I lengthen the strap by 2-3 notches from the maximum ease position so that I look more presentable on stage. :D I would never be one of those people who play with the guitar slung somewhere below their knees either, as that makes it too difficult to play and looks a bit silly anyway.
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This is the kind of stuff I'm looking for, how and where guys like it to it sit. Even maxed out most of the standard ones you listed are too short.
 
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Super lame... I just use the cheapie nylon straps.

I'd like to up my game and get some nicer and cooler straps, but the ones at GC all suck and I don't feel like buying online sight unseen. I'd love some hippie weave style straps that coordinate with my guitars, but I'd have to get Securb to pick those out for me. :chairfall Until then black nylon works.
 
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2ndhandband said:
....picking angle...
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This.

Find the spot that you are most comfortable and where you play the best.

MkIII Renegade said:
Strap tone? :rolleyes:Moving on....
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My thoughts exactly

MkIII Renegade said:
I don't worry myself too much about straps. It's a bit like tying your shoes or dressing yourself---just do it! I think ebay has the best selection. There are a number of micro companies online where a couple of people hand make all of the straps, and you can find some truly unique designs---or order custom!

The following are some of my favorite mass produced and range from ~$25 to $55 for leather:
Walker & Williams
Franklin
Levy's
D'Addario/Planet Waves
Martin
Click to expand...

Levy's makes my favorite. I use their 2" Heavy Ribbed Cotton straps. I use them for both acoustics and electrics and haven't had any issues.

I do like Leather but the Levy's cotton is just what I've come to prefer.

Original Fuzz makes some cool/unique guitar straps. I have one that is nice but the leather ends are pretty weak, only use it with my acoustics now.
 
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I don't think it's the strap material but a short strap with my whole forearm resting on top of the guitar vs. just the edge of the body in a small spot and my pinky finger tip seems like I can tell, pick angle changes for sure too.

Does anybody have something cool to hang your $1k+ guitars on? I found some honey dyed Cobra belly straps that would look killer with my trans amber flamed LP. Pretty pricey but I also have more money in pickups that aren't in guitars just lying around. hmmm
 
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