mingsta Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Rather than actually playing my instruments, I've spent most of my idle time over the past 6 months searching for the perfect strap. I picked up a few duffers along the way, and at times I questioned my sanity as I found myself involuntarily surfing on the ipad for straps in the middle of the night when I woke up to use the loo (much to my other half's annoyance). Happily, the quest is now over since I stumbled upon: [url="http://www.bearstraps.com/"]http://www.bearstraps.com/[/url] Rupert and his straps are definitely a bit of a secret treasure! I got in touch with Rupert last week to discuss making a custom 7.5cm wide strap based on his no.8 model. Less than a week later, after a friendly and useful email chat, and its in my hands! It basically the strap which I had in my mind, but could never find on the web, except with some boutique US makers who were charging an arm and a leg. This is one lovely big chunk of hide, 4mm thick but suprisingly supple, I'm pretty sure that when he says a "strap for life" its not just idle talk. Quite frankly its ridiculous that you can get a custom made strap of this quality for £45 incl postage when you could easily spend as much on an inferior mass produced jobbie made in asia. My only regret is that I didn't find him sooner as I now have 3 existing straps which cost about the same price, but look very mediocre in comparison. Bravo Rupert and your straps!!!! Here's a quick and dirty pic: [url="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3x_XWwCrufzX8ZJY80z0oDtDaOet5p7tL5G38hlpkiA?feat=directlink"]https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3x_XWwCrufzX8ZJY80z0oDtDaOet5p7tL5G38hlpkiA?feat=directlink[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leen2112 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 I had no idea how expensive straps were as I'm still using the ones i got 20 years ago! Recently I bought a new Ibanez and the sales guy said to pick a strap to the value of £30 I thought great! until i picked the one i liked and found it was £62!! In fact most of them were £40 so I got a cheap nasty one which now sits in my bag in case of emergencies.......of which i havent had any strap malfunctions in 20 years!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mingsta Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 If you want to know how expensive things can get, check out moody straps or brookwood leather!!! Leather straps seem to start around the £30 mark, but that only tells half the story as its about the quality of the leather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Bear straps look good. I prefer plain and simple. You're right to get the wider strap. For me, a comfortable strap has to be at least 8cm or 3". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 +1 for Bear Straps. Simple, the highest quality and great customer service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepbass5 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 They look good and seem very good value, but for the feedback i would be concerned ordering from anyone who's site does not give any indication of business address contact phone number etc. Thought they were American but for the prices in £pounds. ? anyone know more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mingsta Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Rupert operates from the UK - I finalised my specs on Friday with Rupert and it was received this morning via royal mail. Drop him a message via the form on his site and you'll soon realise that there's nothing to be concerned about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Do they all have buckles or other metalwork? The site's a bit unclear. I never go for straps that have any metal on them - it's just a scratch waiting to happen... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Aaaagh - I can't view the site via my iPhone due to needing flash player to view the content. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 [quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1353435226' post='1874939'] Do they all have buckles or other metalwork? The site's a bit unclear. I never go for straps that have any metal on them - it's just a scratch waiting to happen... [/quote] No, I bought a simple black leather one with no hardware, and no adjustibility, I just specified the length I wanted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pow_22 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Ive been using Bear Straps for ages, im a big fan of his Classic #2 straps, have a brown and a black one in my usual extra long length Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapiro Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 (edited) Site doesn't work on google chrome or firefox foor me Edited November 21, 2012 by gapiro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 just a plus the one on the quality of bear strap's work, and rupert's a lovely guy to deal with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 IMO it's a bit ott, last time I wanted a trap about 5 years ago I just walked into the local music shop and asked them for the longest one they'd got (it's got to be long if you want to rock, tin hat at the ready) it's a fluffy neon pink one, see my avatar I'd be gutted if anything happened to it, as you've probably gathered I don't take myself too seriously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I use one of these now - will never need another strap ever - wide and comfortable http://minotaur.gr/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=54&osCsid=kea90j8ah0o229867kdh25ar02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1353504559' post='1875287'] IMO it's a bit ott, last time I wanted a trap about 5 years ago I just walked into the local music shop and asked them for the longest one they'd got (it's got to be long if you want to rock, tin hat at the ready) it's a fluffy neon pink one, see my avatar I'd be gutted if anything happened to it, as you've probably gathered I don't take myself too seriously [/quote] Haha! Is that a Daisy Rock strap? My boss bought me the same one for Christmas a few years ago. Her daughter saw it and asked her if I was gay, she said no, just flamboyant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 [quote name='silddx' timestamp='1353514275' post='1875483'] Haha! Is that a Daisy Rock strap? My boss bought me the same one for Christmas a few years ago. Her daughter saw it and asked her if I was gay, she said no, just flamboyant [/quote] not sure what it's called I'll check, but it matches my DR neon pink strings nicely, I like a bit of colour coordination Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarethFlatlands Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I just use basic Levys ones that go for about £15, never had any problems with them. I still use the 2nd one I ever bought back in the late 90's on my main guitar. The Bear ones do look nice though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deep Thought Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I just use the two-piece adjustable leather jobs-I've had fancy, heavy leather straps before and decided I didn't need them, a nice lightweight, flexible leather strap is all that I need. I won't touch anything with a buckle, particularly plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blitz Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Well thanks to this thread I ordered one myself! Great guy to deal with. Ordered it on Friday, arrived Tuesday in Belgium. Also wanted a wider strap so he made a 7.5 cm wide version of the classic #2, black with a brass buckle. Beautiful piece of work and although the buckle may be a problem for scratches (let's hope not) , it looks classy for sure. As the OP said, the difference between this and a mass-produced thin leather one is huge. For 20-30 euro more seems worth it to me. No stitching anywhere, clean riveting etc. Can't imagine needing another strap for this bass for a long time. Obviously it's not for everyone but for people are picky about straps (like me) it seems well worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt_Arlita Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I'm currently using a strap from Guitar Hero (yes, really). Would love a real leather one though...may have to give these a go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who's Who Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Just emailed the guy at Bear Straps to see if he can make me one I saw in a picture that Noel Gallagher was using. Hopefully he'll get back to me saying he can. It may even be one of his straps as he's advertised as using them. http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/Zpwik_hloSR/Isle+Of+Wight+Festival+Day+4/HlU4tkeApEH/Noel+Gallagher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 My Harvest and Levy straps are 3" wide heavy duty leather and the Levy is padded. Both are as comfortable as you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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