Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: alembic76407 on January 02, 2015, 09:08:55 AM

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: alembic76407 on January 02, 2015, 09:08:55 AM

I can not find a strap that doesn't hurt my neck and shoulder, I have a  
Comfort Strap {flex type}
3 inch web type {Levi brand}
 
I am thinking about a 4 leather strap {From Alembic if long enough}
or building a custom over both shoulder strap.
 
How about some opinions
 
David T

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: StephenR on January 02, 2015, 11:15:01 AM

I really like my 4 Moody leather strap. Luckily I got it as a gift since they run upwards of $130. Moody uses excellent quality Italian leather and the straps are soft and comfortable right out of the box, no need to break them in. Mine has suede backing to keep it from sliding around on your shoulder but they also come with smooth leather backs. Too bad they are so expensive.

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: stout71 on January 02, 2015, 01:47:02 PM

I have a Levy's 4.5 (this one)  http://www.levysleathers.com/product (http://www.levysleathers.com/product);cat,818;item,545;Bass-Guitar-Straps-MSS2-4
 
It's pretty fantastic.  My BK5 is like 15 pounds and anything less in a strap would cause me grief on a regular basis, and probably a pinched nerve or two.  Those retail for $111 but you can find them cheaper on Amazon, etc.

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: rustyg61 on January 02, 2015, 01:59:25 PM

Jerry, that's the same strap I have. It feels great with my new Europa, but hasn't been gig tested yet. That will happen tomorrow night!

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: alembic76407 on January 03, 2015, 06:00:00 PM

I have solved my problem, today I built a OVER BOTH SHOULDER harness, so far so good, all my basses fit and it distributes the Weight equally to both shoulders.
I will post pictures tomorrow

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: ajdover on January 03, 2015, 06:55:49 PM

I second Stephen's post.  I've been using Moody straps exclusively now for over 10 years.  I swear by them.  They're not cheap, but they're worth every penny.
 
Alan

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: bigredbass on January 03, 2015, 09:28:44 PM

While I found the perfect green leather strap for the Elan (from Levy's), I still keep looking for the right red one for the BRB.  In the meantime, I bought a couple of these in Guitar Center to tide me over until.  Around $25, padded, adjustable, leather ends, works great, and takes the load off.  I don't have any shoulder problems, but this is a pretty good strap for not much $$$.
 
Probably find it anywhere, it's part of the Planet Waves line-up from D'Addario.
 
http://www.planetwaves.com/pwProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=4115&productid=203&productname=Bass_Guitar_Straps (http://www.planetwaves.com/pwProductDetail.Page?ActiveID=4115&productid=203&productname=Bass_Guitar_Straps)
 
Joey

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: jazzyvee on January 04, 2015, 03:06:23 AM

I have bought wide Minotaur straps from Greece for my 5 string alembics in the past couple of  years and they have been great. Nicely padded and wearing well in regular use.
http://www.minotaur.gr/index.php/cPath/25/osCsid/4h3c8plgocaftsgeivha1ob9b14vl5c6 (http://www.minotaur.gr/index.php/cPath/25/osCsid/4h3c8plgocaftsgeivha1ob9b14vl5c6)
 
I have one of these from a Hungarian maker which has softer leather than the Minotaur ones but still spread the weight nicely.
http://bayus.eu/base-brown-sze1b/ (http://bayus.eu/base-brown-sze1b/)

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: bassman10096 on March 02, 2015, 05:06:33 AM

I have received very good quality, suede-lined heavy leather 4 straps from Italia Straps over the years.  http://italiastraps.com/index.html (http://italiastraps.com/index.html)    
 
The combination of soft, thick leather in a 4 wide strap has allowed me to wear some extremely heavy basses for whole shows with no back or shoulder discomfort (always a problem for me before I started using 4 straps exclusively).  
 
For quite a long while Italia ran two straps for the price of one, resulting in silly low prices.  As a result, I was able to color-match lots of straps to specific basses (an otherwise unaffordable luxury).  Not sure how their specials are running now, but definitely great prices for very solid, heavy leatherwork and nice material.  Compared with Moody and some of (what I consider) the truly artisan leather works, they are pretty vanilla in styling and construction.  But with the wear and beating straps take, they are great for the use.  One caution if you order:  Their delivery times are maddeningly long (1-3 months), but they always deliver as ordered.  Just don't place an order and start watching the clock (or calendar, for that matter).  
 
I'm not paid or related to the Italia folks.  I have one of the original Alembic straps made by Moody and love the refined work.  I'm just a happy Italia customer.  
 
Bill

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: JimmyJ on March 02, 2015, 09:56:18 AM

Thought I'd write just to make you guys laugh.  Somewhere around 1976 I had two straps made by a leather worker I found.  Rough on the inside and tanned (I guess) on the outside. The roughness helped with neck dive.  The silly part is, they are a fixed length and non-adjustable.  I haven't changed my playing position, or instruments, in all those years.  And these two hunks of leather don't show any signs of wearing out after almost 40 years.  I can't remember what I paid for them but they were a good investment!.   Here's a pic:
 
Jimmy J
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/207126.jpg)

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: eligilam on March 02, 2015, 10:52:39 AM

+1 on Italia.  Wait for the 2 for 1 deal (which happens pretty frequently), then load up.

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: lbpesq on March 02, 2015, 11:26:57 AM

The Italia straps have been discussed a few times on this site.  Good bang for the buck, but most find them to be a little too thick and stiff making mounting straplocks on them a bit difficult.
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: JuancarlinBass on March 02, 2015, 12:10:34 PM

Jimmy: Those straps seem to still have a lot of a life goin?on!
 
I'm switching gradually into wider straps. I'm on the verge of 4 right now, and I guess I'm getting more and more into it, now considering even wider alternatives. My only fear (specially with rough underside leather ones) is that they tend to hurt my neck sometimes, if not wearing collared shirts...

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: moongerm on March 02, 2015, 12:10:44 PM

That's incredible Jimmy J! Ha!

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: edwin on March 02, 2015, 10:19:43 PM

I've always liked this one.
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/207147.jpg)
 
But, I use Moody straps most of the time. They work well, are very comfortable and seem to be quite robust. I still have one with an Alembic logo, which has seen a ton of use and it's in great shape.

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: pauldo on March 03, 2015, 03:38:31 AM

David,
If your neck and shoulder are bothering you, you shouldn't use a strap.
 
You should use this:
http://www.hoverharness.com/default.asp (http://www.hoverharness.com/default.asp)
The concept is brilliant.
A member here developed the design.  
It removes the weight from you upper body, the bass truly does 'hover' in front of you.

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: dannobasso on March 03, 2015, 04:25:17 AM

I'm quite fond of Moody's. both the older ones and the new ones. The Alembic/Moody's are great. Mine are black of course.

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: fmm on March 03, 2015, 06:09:27 AM

I'm linked to Italia on Facebook, it seems they run some kind of special every other week.  I purchased a 4 wide black for myself and a 2.5 for my son (for guitar), both arrived in less than a week.

Title: Ok, Lets talk Straps
Post by: jzstephan on March 03, 2015, 08:26:37 AM

http://www.pccord.com/custom_made_guitar_straps_sold.htm