clarkpegasus4001 Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 I know this topic has probably been done on numerous occasions but I could do with some advice please. I have a bass that is approx 10lb overall weight and it feels heavy on the shoulder using my usual wide leather strap of almost 4" wide (not much in the way of padding though). My normal strap is fine with my other basses. My question is, what strap do you use or would recommend?.I have heard Comfort Strapp are good? Does anyone use those? Many thanks in advance guys and much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Neotech Mega Bass Strap. I've had all the back saving straps, the Neotech is the best. I have 4 of them now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkpegasus4001 Posted February 13, 2017 Author Share Posted February 13, 2017 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1487021053' post='3236353'] Neotech Mega Bass Strap. I've had all the back saving straps, the Neotech is the best. I have 4 of them now! [/quote] Thank you for your reply, are your basses on the hefty side? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 I have a DSL 3.5" strap that is nicely padded and feels very comfortable. Bass is not quite as heavy as yours, but not lightweight. I see they also do a 5" version. Really nice quality, but not cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 They were, for comfort on longer gigs I decided to sell my everything over 9.5lb. But I had a 12 lb Yamaha before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 I get on well with the Mono Betty straps - not too wide but nicely padded.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChunkyMunky Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 My Musicman Bongo (5HH) is ridiculously heavy (and I'm a big guy too) and I use the Comfort Strapp. Highly recommended. I'd honestly say it depends on your posture and choice of bass. HappyJack would be the right person to ask about this. He did some awesome seminars at the BassChat meetups and it completely altered my playing for the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1487021053' post='3236353'] Neotech Mega Bass Strap. I've had all the back saving straps, the Neotech is the best. I have 4 of them now! [/quote] This. Won't use anything else now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christhammer666 Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 Planet waves always pretty thick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 [quote name='clarkpegasus4001' timestamp='1487020913' post='3236349'] I know this topic has probably been done on numerous occasions but I could do with some advice please. I have a bass that is approx 10lb overall weight and it feels heavy on the shoulder using my usual wide leather strap of almost 4" wide (not much in the way of padding though). My normal strap is fine with my other basses. My question is, what strap do you use or would recommend?.I have heard Comfort Strapp are good? Does anyone use those? Many thanks in advance guys and much appreciated. [/quote] Depending on what bass you have, I would most definitely suggest, if you haven't done so already, getting some super light weight tuning keys fitted too. For example, I changed the tuning keys on a precision bass a while back to Gotoh Res-O-Lite machine heads. The bass no longer suffered from any neck dive and on a strap felt many pounds lighter as you don't have a weight at the end of a 'long arm' bearing down on your shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 These are fab.... padded too I have 2 of these Gaucho straps. Best i've ever found, including Comforts https://www.amazon.co.uk/Light-Brown-Guitar-Strap-Electric-x/dp/B002PX39NU/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1487029039&sr=1-2-fkmr1&keywords=Light+Brown+%27Biker+Series%27+Leather+Guitar+Strap+for+Electric%2FAcoustic%2FBass+Guitar Also ace.. i have a couple of these too https://www.amazon.co.uk/Light-Leather-Guitar-Electric-Acoustic/dp/B002PWY6JC/ref=pd_sim_267_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GM6801SM0MYYJTGW6E1F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkpegasus4001 Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 (edited) Many thanks to everybody for the response i've had on this subject so far, To answer some questions which may have relevance..... Firstly I hold the bass usually across my stomach and sometimes slighty higher depending what bass i'm using. I move around a lot on stage too if there's room. The bass i've recently bought is a 1977 Yamaha BB1200. I put it on my scales (I don't know if they are dead accurate but they are digital and good quality scales), and it came up 10lb dead. For the first time tonight I tried it with my usual strap and it was heavy on the shoulder although it balances fine. As this bass is 100% original i've no intention of changing any parts on it. Having read what some people say on here i'm edging towards either the Comfort Strapp or the Neotech Mega Bass Strap. As a footnote, I bought the bass to use in my new band which is a tribute to Ronnie James Dio, and of course Jimmy Bain used BB basses, in fact i'm almost certain it was a natural BB1200 like mine when I saw him in Wild Horses in 1978, although it could have been another model BB i'm not sure it was a long while ago! I'd like to get this issue sorted rather than considering moving the bass on as it's a lovely bit of kit and ideal for this band. I hope this info helps with any future respnses and thanks again to you all it's a big help. Edited February 14, 2017 by clarkpegasus4001 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I've been using a Mono Betty with my Ric 4003s, but recently it has started to make my shoulder ache on extended periods of playing. Therefore, I've just started using the wide, padded, leather strap that came with my Maruszczyk with the Ric and the situation is now much improved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Hey Tony, I understand this doesn't answer your question. . . but, IMO if a bass feels too heavy it usually is. I've just sold a couple of great basses because they were too heavy for me and they were lighter than your bass. I have several good thick and wide leather straps but they also add a lot of weight, which doesn't help. Sometimes your head has to rule your heart. I hope you find a solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 (edited) I would think twice about hefting a bass of that weight. However as regards strap recommendations I wouldn't use anything but a Comfort Strapp. Check which length you need though - some of them are quite short i.e. go by dimensions rather than description and measure up first Edited February 14, 2017 by Norris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 It's not just weight; balance plays a major role. I have a 13 pounds(!) swamp ash Overwater that balances beautifully. That lives with a Mono Betty strap, no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmo Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I like comfort strapps. I bought them for all my basses. I will admit to only using these and those really cheap ones that bite into your neck, so my experience is limited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Mono Betty are good - I have one that I`m considering letting go, it`s the long version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmccombe7 Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Tried various straps with varying widths and padding styles. Tried the Gruvgear one with the double strap one over each shoulder. On majority of my basses i just use it as a normal one shoulder strap and can either remove the 2nd strap or leave hanging at back. The width and padding is excellent and hardly feel the bass on my shoulder in comparison to others. Not cheap tho and the length available in UK is limited to shorter version only. I used a good quality leather belt to extend mine by 4 " to get correct bass height and i play normal bass height with bass centre line just above waistline of my jeans. You can get the extended version from US tho. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I bought a Fender Neoprene strap when i got a (very heavy) Stingray5 a few years ago but found it bounced a lot and could get distracting on stage. I changed bass for a lighter TRB5PII (wich is still on the heavy side but the tone is perfect to me) and bought a Minotaur Deluxe bass strap. It should be similar with the one OP currently has, it's 4" wide, leather, but it has padding on the inside. It doesn't make the bass feel lighter but it distributes the weight in more shoulder area making it easier to get through the gigs. I have a backup bass that's lighter and from time to time i gig it for a few weeks to rest the shoulder a bit. I rehearse sitting down so i only have to put up with the weight once or twice a week for a period of 3 hours, i find it doable for the sake of tone but would love to find a bass that sounds and feeles exactly like the TRB with a couple of pounds taken away (no, i won't be chambering mine ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Have a look at slinger straps, theres a few interesting takes on straps that you may find interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 As mentioned the above - the Neotech/Fender/Sadowsky (all made by Neotech) are certainly springy and bouncy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo-London Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Whatever you do it's still 10 lb hanging on your shoulder. I totally agree with the Res-o-lite tuners or equivalent, which helps reduce the weight and balance. I put them on all my Fenders (including pre-CBS ones). Don't tell the bass-police. I would seriously consider another bass for gigging. Davo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Judging by the OP's user name and avatar pic, we might conceivably be talking about a Rick here in which case advising that he uses a different bass is probably not helping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 [quote name='hubrad' timestamp='1487066215' post='3236628'] It's not just weight; balance plays a major role. I have a 13 pounds(!) swamp ash Overwater that balances beautifully. That lives with a Mono Betty strap, no problems. [/quote] IME balance is a far more important factor than weight alone. A well balanced, but heavy bass can be made more comfortable with a suitable strap. I got on well with a Comfort Strapp. Other people do better with other brands. There are plenty mentioned in this thread already. You just need to try them to see which one works best for you. However a bass that doesn't balance well will never be comfortable to wear no matter how light it is or how thick and/or grippy your strap is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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