Karl Derrick

Perhaps we should get a list going..... Karl

The proto will go out to Andydye for a play first thing next week. Karl

Email me: [email protected] Karl

OK, sure. When you're ready. Never too early to start kicking ideas around, though... I just acquired a lovely Fender Marcus Miller Jazz bass from a member here. I'll test the new prototype ergonomic strap on it. The Millers aren't known for being feather-weight If anyone would like to test the proto out, it can be borrowed for the cost of two way postage. I believe in the honour system. Karl

These are made to measure for the individual customer..... Karl

Of course, the huge expanse of leather on view lends itself to all kinds of embellishment. Karl

Thanks. I understand the handmade/niche market thing. I agree, it needs to be seen, worn and used to prove itself. Yes, it really is a lot more comfortable than normal straps. I tried the sample with the equivalent of a 14 Pound bass and it was very comfortable, the weight spread evenly over the back and shoulders, without and pressure points, Smooth and even. Karl

I wasn't pressurizing, just pondering Drop me an email if you like: [email protected] Karl

Thanks. Karl

So, this project seems to be dead in the water. After all the design and prototype work, not a single order for the ergonomic bass strap. Karl

Here's the sign up/order thread. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/243139-karls-ergonomic-leather-bass-strap/ Thanks guys, Karl

This particular design is unpadded, because the width of the strap and the contour distributes the weight evenly over the player's body. As, such, the design isn't suited to padding. I can design a padded strap for you if you like. Email me [email protected] Karl

Talking to mods. Got my thread pulled from 'for sale', so trying to sort out Affiliates. Stay tuned Karl

Just sorting out where to put the signup thread..... Bear with. Karl

Right, No more feedback forthcoming overnight. I'll start the sign up thread in the classified section.. Karl

Thanks everyone. If we all like it, what happens next is the official 'interest thread'. This one wasn't made for anyone in particular, although it was made to Discreet's specs. More so to make it to a set of real measurements than anything else.... I'd like to wait for a little more feedback, then we can crack on. Karl

Thanks for the input. I'm certain you can already get straps like that. Karl

Not at all They do look a lot like the cheaper tinny versions on crappy leather goods the world over. I honestly did not expect them to hold my weight, but they did! I could add a third if anyone's genuinely worried about their bass hitting the deck... It's the extra cost of a single extra fitting, no big deal. Karl

They don't fail. One alone will hold the bass, two is belt and braces. I went through this on a previous post if you look back through the thread. I set two of them in a leather strap and hung my entire 13 stone weight off it. No failure. I do this for a living and they are a stock item for me, I use them a lot. I set them with special tools and a press. Never had one fail, never had one pop accidentally. These are made by 'Durable Dot' fasteners in the USA, they are military spec fasteners made to NATO specification. Karl

Here we are then, The finished prototype/sample strap. Very soft, very strong, very comfortable. Fully suede lined, fully hand stitched, completely original design. We like? [attachment=169084:all.jpg] [attachment=169085:front.jpg] [attachment=169086:mid.jpg] [attachment=169087:middle.jpg] [attachment=169088:rear.jpg] [attachment=169089:strap.jpg] [attachment=169090:tail.jpg]

Very good. Thank you, Discreet. Thanks for that input Ead, but the velcro has to be glued and stitched to the leather which means more labour and a higher price. Also, those straps are machine stitched, not hand stitched as mine will be. The 'pad area' is realtively small in comparison to mine, and offers no weight distribution along the strap in either direction. so, the weight of the bass will be centred in the area of the pad. I'm trying with my design, to spread the weight of the bass out as far as possible around the body. Karl

Can folk please chime in with the size of the mounting holes they would like to see on the strap? As these are custom length, they can also have custom mounting options. So if you have a brand of straplock you prefer, or unusual knobs (steady) on your bass, we can accomodate them if you can supply the hole and slot size for buttons, or hole size for straplocks. I'm going to be making the sample strap this week. I'll take some pics when it's done. I have a lot on, so it'll be fitted in where possible, but it'll be done this week. Karl

Thanks very much, I do try for the best for the client and something for my work, too. I just need to make a reasonable hourly rate. I agree the design work should be recognized too, but it never is The irony here, is that I'll make what I hope is the world's most comfortable bass strap.... and I still haven't got a bass of my own Still looking for a Kubicki Ex Factor. Karl