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Post by langford on Jul 13, 2020 13:03:34 GMT -5
When you're shopping for a strap, what do you look for—Price? A particular style? Build quality?
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Post by Leftee on Jul 13, 2020 13:05:08 GMT -5
1. Style 2. Quality/price
I don’t think I own a strap I paid more than $50 for.
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Post by budg on Jul 13, 2020 13:30:16 GMT -5
I like 3 inch leather straps. I’m with leftee in that I’ve never paid over 50. What seems to work for me is the Franklin straps. Reasonably prices and are leather with decent amount of padding.
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Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
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Post by Ayns on Jul 13, 2020 13:44:28 GMT -5
$50!?, I think I’ve only got one strap that I paid more than £20 for I’ve got loads of Fender monogram and few planet waves, daddarrio “hootenanny “ style.
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jul 13, 2020 14:37:10 GMT -5
Plain leather works great for me. I like quality stuff with good stitching. The cheap/slick woven poly ("seat belt") type is a ridiculous material for guitar straps, based on the ones I tried (YMMV).
I have a few leather works of art made by fellow MT2 compadre Larry Madsen (BlondeStrat). They have been played in played in and around DC, Annapolis, and Baltimore. Atlanta and New Joizy too!
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Post by Blacksunshine on Jul 13, 2020 18:12:35 GMT -5
I can't remember the last time I actually purchased one.
I always seem to get them with guitars, and they usually stick around even if the guitar ends up being sold.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2020 19:02:53 GMT -5
I have a strap for each guitar, all reasonably colour coordinated with the guitar. That's what I look for; whether it goes with the guitar or not. If I buy a new guitar I take a pic of the guitar with my phone and compare the pic to the selection of straps when I'm out shopping. Sometimes I buy the starp at the same time as the guitar but only if I can find one I like. I have frequently paid $40 and sometimes more.
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Post by larryguitar54 on Jul 13, 2020 21:12:53 GMT -5
I buy them by the bushel. But I think every passionate player will spring for at least one custom handmade strap for a special guitar. I did that for my 52 tele reissue through this guy. It wasn't cheap but it was worth it. I'm guessing I paid between about 200 but I don't regret it. I also did an amp handle for my favorite blues junior. www.brookwoodleather.com/home
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Post by Riff Twang on Jul 13, 2020 23:48:31 GMT -5
I look for inexpensive or on sale, or even used, but it must be leather and two and a half or three inches wide. If the leather is thick and comfy enough it doesn't need a backing.
Having said that I have all sorts going back probably nearly 50 years in my "collection". Chances are I'll never buy another strap anyway.
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Post by LTB on Jul 14, 2020 3:00:11 GMT -5
I like 3 inch leather straps. I’m with leftee in that I’ve never paid over 50. What seems to work for me is the Franklin straps. Reasonably prices and are leather with decent amount of padding. Same here!
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69tele
Halfnote
Rockin the Rock !
Posts: 91
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Post by 69tele on Jul 14, 2020 8:11:29 GMT -5
I have one for each guitar.. usually 2.5" Levys, or Fender Deluxe, recently had good results from DSL Straps too.
For heavier instruments the Gibson montana ones with memory foam are very good as well.
What I will never buy again is anything from Righton straps... I got one for my daugthers Sterling Luke and it scratched the top with the adjustment screws.... spoke to them and didnt even offer a refund of the price of the strap.
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Post by Pinetree on Jul 14, 2020 9:15:05 GMT -5
Length.
I'm almost 6'5", so I order custom guitar straps.
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Post by langford on Jul 14, 2020 9:33:47 GMT -5
Link below for the website that inspired my question. These guys do a version of the old thin strap with the padded shoulder piece that I like. Price is $50CDN, which I figured was fair in terms of materials, quality and workmanship. But the price did raise the classic question: how much better is $50 strap vs. a $20 strap? I'm going to go high-end with this purchase as I'm buying a strap for a very nice guitar. But I've been curious how others shop for them. www.levysleathers.com/
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Post by Larry Madsen on Jul 14, 2020 9:52:34 GMT -5
I just make them however I want them. The one I made for my professional musician friend Mike has been in use for over 20 years. I kept thinking I would need to make him a new one, but he just says, "no it's fine" and he likes it just as it is. It's showing age, but holding up fine. I've made some long ones. The lighting bolt there is 54" end hole to end hole. DSC_2225 by Larry Madsen, on Flickr I've sold some and given a lot away. The problem with any idea of selling them is the time involved. The actual material cost in one might be ten dollars at most (unless they are laced, leather lace is a bit expensive), but the time involved is often substantial. Some I use a pigskin liner on the back, some not. I usually start with a basic theme or idea then go to work flying by the seat of my pants and working without a net. Most times if I make a mistake I adjust and build it into the plan. They pretty much all have flaws of one sort or another. And Thank You Geno, for the kind words. I think you possess more of them than any other person not named Larry
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Post by FlyonNylon on Jul 14, 2020 11:59:33 GMT -5
My favorite straps are simple full grain brown leather or suede, +/- embroidery.
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Post by stratcowboy on Jul 14, 2020 12:57:44 GMT -5
They pretty much all have flaws of one sort or another. That's the way the famous Navajo weavers do it, too; they leave some flaws in their work to make sure they are humble in the face of the Great Spirit (perfection). I personally just have a couple of Levy's straps. They are fine, comfortable, and seem to last. I find them reasonably priced.
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herb
Wholenote
Posts: 159
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Post by herb on Jul 14, 2020 13:34:20 GMT -5
I really like the Souldier reproduction straps. Kinda pricy but they look cool and are very durable. On the inexpensive side the nylon Ernie Balls are nice because of the variety of colors. Not really into leather but have a deluxe El Dorado brown leather strap for my P-Bass. [/url] P1010383
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Post by BobbyMac on Jul 14, 2020 13:44:06 GMT -5
I have dozens of straps because I have dozens of guitars.
I have always preferred the look of a vintage Fender guitar strap but the quality has suffered greatly over the years.
The Franklin vintage style guitar strap is a very well made piece and I have several of them. $35 these days on eBay.
My most expensive straps are made by El Dorado; heavily padded shoulder pad and finely tooled leather adornment. I think I paid $150 for each of them, one in black and one in brown.
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Post by Duke on Jul 14, 2020 16:03:57 GMT -5
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Post by Vibroluxer on Jul 14, 2020 16:30:46 GMT -5
My most expensive straps are made by El Dorado; heavily padded shoulder pad and finely tooled leather adornment. I think I paid $150 for each of them, one in black and one in brown. Those are top quality straps. I have 2, one from eBay and one direct. I think the most expensive one was $80. That was plain black. Still working like new.
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Post by Blacksunshine on Jul 14, 2020 16:34:48 GMT -5
I really like the Souldier reproduction straps. Kinda pricy but they look cool and are very durable. On the inexpensive side the nylon Ernie Balls are nice because of the variety of colors. Not really into leather but have a deluxe El Dorado brown leather strap for my P-Bass. [/url] P1010383[/quote] I like the 3 on the left, very cool.
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Post by De ville on Jul 14, 2020 17:42:15 GMT -5
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Post by Vibroluxer on Jul 14, 2020 20:19:43 GMT -5
That was funny, DV!!
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herb
Wholenote
Posts: 159
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Post by herb on Jul 14, 2020 21:22:29 GMT -5
I really like the Souldier reproduction straps. Kinda pricy but they look cool and are very durable. On the inexpensive side the nylon Ernie Balls are nice because of the variety of colors. Not really into leather but have a deluxe El Dorado brown leather strap for my P-Bass. [/quote] I like the 3 on the left, very cool.[/quote] Those are the Souldiers. Nice straps!
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huck
Quarternote
Posts: 46
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Post by huck on Jul 15, 2020 1:40:42 GMT -5
I love Couch straps. their racer x straps are the best.
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Post by Auf Kiltre on Jul 15, 2020 9:33:46 GMT -5
I don't have one for every guitar, but don't need that many anyway. I seldom play outside the house anymore and when I record or noodle around the house I sit without a strap. The one on the left is my oldest and most used, seen me through decades of gigging. It supports my Dunlop equipped gits. The one on the right is for the Schallers. A few of my guitars don't have strap locks so I have a variety of other straps for those.
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Post by reverendrob on Jul 15, 2020 14:30:49 GMT -5
My answer is simple.
As a 6'8" monster, pretty much nothing fits right and is too short.
The basic be-atch Ernie Ball straps are the ones that are long enough, and well, purple.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Jul 15, 2020 19:02:56 GMT -5
I’ve tried everything, and used to keep one in each guitar case. After I sold off most of my guitars, I kept just one strap. A plain black DiMarzio elastic strap. It’s super stretchy, to the point where I make it very short and then the weight of the guitar stretches it to the proper height.
The trade off on it is invaluable; it makes heavy guitars feel very light.
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huck
Quarternote
Posts: 46
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Post by huck on Jul 15, 2020 20:18:46 GMT -5
I don't work for Couch, honest. But if you're a giant, their straps are longer than most straps, and you can also call them up and ask them to make you a longer one. And they have a custom shop.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2020 23:36:53 GMT -5
Give this guy a shout. I bet he could hook you up with somebody who sells a long strap.
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