Best strap for heavy basses?

[c0d3h4x0r]

I bought a sheepskin-lined leather strap and used it at my last gig, and it didn't really help much despite the extra padding. But I was able to pinpoint the pain more precisely.

The pain starts in my right shoulder blade, just under the edge of the blade along my back. Then it spreads out and causes both shoulders to feel really stiff and achy. This happens after playing for about an hour.

This is leading me to wonder if this has something to do with my right-arm positioning and/or technique. Any pointers?

 

[adouglas]

This is leading me to wonder if this has something to do with my right-arm positioning and/or technique. Any pointers?

If your avatar pic is accurate, then maybe raise the bass an inch or two?

It may feel funny at first, but IMHO the left-hand ergos are much better with the bass up higher.

Also, since the bass is riding up higher, the strap will spread more of the load across your back.

I don't wear mine bowtie-high, but I do have the neck plate over my belly, not my belt buckle.

Or you could just play sitting down...

 

[Mobay45]

Or you could just play sitting down...

Like the rest of the band would let you get away with that!

 

[stretch80]

There's a great strap called the Slider Strap that you should check out. Puts the weight on both shoulders. Just do a search on "Slider Strap"...

 

[tkarter]

I prefer the 3 inch wide Levy's padded leather strap. Solved my issues. The comfort straps have a wide pad and a narrower nylon band through them. After an hour they feel to ME like a 2 inch strap.

I am hesistant to say you might be doing the same thing I found myself to be doing with the Bongo 5.

I was resting my right forearm on the body so much that I was actually putting pressure onto my left shoulder. I changed the strap length to alleviate that and 4 hours goes by of pretty solid playing with no more left shoulder pain.

tk

 

[BassPooch]

Neotech Mega Strap

Lets face, EB basses are the best but they are on the heavy side. I'm a tall, skinny dude and I've tried every strap on the market, included the "Slider" strap, which I do not recommend (it shifts the bass away from the center of your body and you'll need the arm length of a 7'2'' basketball player to reach low notes.)

The best strap I found, which I highly recommend, is the "Neotech Mega Bass Strap" (purchased from MF part #367528). I'm always skeptical of ads that proclaim, "makes you bass feel 50% lighter" (after all, no one can change the laws of gravity and mass) but it really does make you bass feel much lighter. I did two, 4-hour gigs over the weekend and this was the first Monday that I did not feel sore. This is THEE bass strap to get.

 

[roballanson]

If your avatar pic is accurate, then maybe raise the bass an inch or two?

It may feel funny at first, but IMHO the left-hand ergos are much better with the bass up higher.

Also, since the bass is riding up higher, the strap will spread more of the load across your back.

Yeah that a good idea. Also your left hand will have more freedom to move faster. I remember Tim Commerford talking about shifting his bass hight to emulate the older Jazz players. - Must be somethign in it. Mind sits with the neck plate a few inches above my belt. Took a while to find a sweet spot.

I also use a wide Levy strap and have no probs....even on longer gigs.

 

[bovinehost]

Also your left hand will have more freedom to move faster. I remember Tim Commerford talking about shifting his bass hight to emulate the older Jazz players. - Must be somethign in it.

Could be, but people will make fun of you for wearing your bass like a necklace.

Hah!

I wear mine higher, it helps with both comfort and mobility and the remarks roll off my back like water off a sponge.

 

[tkarter]

Water rolls off a sponge? Man I learn something new every day.


tk

 

[bovinehost]

I meant to say "Like a sponge off a duck."

 

[tkarter]

I can check the sponge and duck thing out for validity when I take my bath tonight

The bongo feels better strapped higher IMHO

tk

 

[strummer]

I can check the sponge and duck thing out for validity when I take my bath tonight

The bongo feels better strapped higher IMHO

tk

The Bongo feels great strapped any which way

Waiting for a couple of italia Straps I ordered, hoping they'll be good. If not, Andelucia is in for a hard time

 

[Urwordsbreakmed]

i dont like wide straps my stap is like 1 1/2 or 2 inchs... levy makes crazy straps tho man.... SO you acn get a thick on where you cant even tell you have the bass on orr a thin on.. were it hurts after standing for a long periods of time