Strap ID / Recommendations

[dmc79]

Just wondering if anyone can ID my strap. I bought it from a guitar shop perhaps 10-15 years ago as an upgrade from whatever cheap basic thin 2” webbed strap I was using at the time. 
 

 

I suspect it is a Levy’s, but after lots of searching I can’t see that winged ‘L’ logo anywhere online, though I guess it could be an old one of theirs. On the adjusting piece, it says #299 and ‘Made in Canada.’ The ends of the strap are leather, I’m not sure what the main middle part is made of (could also be leather, just a different colour / grade), but it has some padding, and there is suede backing on the whole of the underside. 
 

Whilst I guess it doesn’t matter that much, I’d still like to know what it is, if anyone is able to ID or say whether that is a logo that Levy’s have ever used. 
 

This strap serves me well, but I’ve read that wider / more substantial straps can help in fending off shoulder / neck / back pain. For this reason I’m looking into getting a slightly wider strap. This is just under 2.5” wide, so I may try a 3” or 3.5” next time. I play a sub 4Kg P bass, so guess that anything wider than that would be overkill and too cumbersome. 
 

I like the look of some of the Levy’s straps, but am interested in recommendations. I’ll probably go for leather top & suede backing again. Will most likely go for black. 

 

I’d stretch to around £50, so not interested in boutique type stuff for double that price. Thanks 

 

Edited Monday at 20:34 by dmc79

[Matt P]

I don't recognise the logo and none of those markings match those on my Levy's straps.

 

For a good value wider strap I'd suggest something from Leathergraft, they're nicely made and very good value, i think the entire range is within your budget, i'm using one for my '77 p-bass and it helps enormously with the 11lb.

 

https://leathergraft.co.uk/

 

Mine is the Pro deluxe and it's very well made with good padding and tidy workmanship. HERE

 

 

Matt

[Wombat]

I’ve a number of ‘boutique leather straps’ for various basses but for a rather anchorish P I’ve gotten back into playing I was recommended a 3in Lekato Bass Strap from eBay by SparkyMark of this Parish. They do do colours but I went for plain black. This one I think. Not the fanciest strap I’ve got but boy does it make a 4+kg bass more comfortable to play.

[dmc79]

Thanks. I guess it's not a Levy's then. On closer inspection, there is a very faint 'Liberty' at the top of the adjuster end. So faint that I've never even noticed it until now. So I guess that is the brand.

 

Cheers for the recommendations. I've been looking mainly at straps based on their width, but only just realised that the length is important too. I've never thought about it before, because mine is adjustable enough for what I need. I've never even measured it until now. It adjust from 51" to 59". But looking at what's out there, it seems that many standard straps only go to a maximum of 52", so length will be a deciding factor for sure.

 

My usual length is 57", but I lowered it one rung on the ladder adjuster last weekend and liked that at 58". Otherwise I've barely ever adjusted it on the ladder, but on the rare occasion I'd want to try it a tad higher, I'd just put the middle hole (of 3) over the lower strap button (usually hang it from the bottom hole) instead of adjusting the ladder. So, I'll need to avoid any strap that maxes out at a length too short for my liking. 

 

This will rule out the Leathergraft (max 52") and Lekato (max 55"). I think I'll end up with one of the Levy's XL straps, which adjust up to 64". More length than I'll ever need, but they certainly won't be too short. These look to be around £60, which I don't mind as I'm sure they will last a very long time.

Edited Monday at 23:48 by dmc79

[LeftyJ]

I've been using Italia Leather straps for a long time. Unlike what the name suggests, they're actually made in California 

They come in 2 widths (2.5" and 4") and 2 lengths (37-49" and 42-54") so they fall just a little short of what you're looking for. 

 

They only sell directly though, and there will be import duties when having one shipped to the UK. They're expensive at around 100-110 USD per piece. That said, they often have sales (for returning customers, but the weblinks and discount codes to the sales can be used by anyone) like free shipping, buy-one-get-one-free or something along those lines. The most recent one was a 24 hour sale on April 6th, but I'm sure their next mailing will be along shortly . That's my one gripe with the company: they keep spamming your mailbox with deals. You can easily opt out, and I really should because I already have 8 at this point...

[Matt P]

whilst i did recommend leathergraft most of my straps are the suede Levy's ones, some of them are over 20 years old and still going strong.

 

Don't totally rule out leathergraft though as some of their designs are available in an XL version which maxes out to 60"

 

the comfy definitely does. here

[franzbassist]

Heistercamp. Made in the UK and completely lush.

[Matt P]

13 minutes ago, franzbassist said:

Heistercamp. Made in the UK and completely lush.

 

I have a Heistercamp as well and they are fantastic, I didn't suggest them as the prices are above what the OP was suggesting as the top budget.

 

the one i have was a present from my wife and is exclusively used with my best acoustic guitar.

 

Matt

[franzbassist]

 

21 minutes ago, Matt P said:

 I didn't suggest them as the prices are above what the OP was suggesting as the top budget.

A fair point, but they often sell ex-demo and seconds for a lower price so worth keeping an eye on?

[Matt P]

12 minutes ago, franzbassist said:

 

A fair point, but they often sell ex-demo and seconds for a lower price so worth keeping an eye on?

 

I didn't know this, I'll be watching the website for a future bargain!

 

Matt

[Wombat]

Aye, they are only expensive then, as opposed to really expensive 😂!

I say that tongue in cheek mind, I have one and it’s brill. Great company to deal with too. I like the Heistercamp logo but am not a fan of ‘branded’ stuff so they put the logo on the tail of the strap for me. I also got a fluffy cow keyring  ‘freebie’ which hangs off my leads bag.

Opening their packaging is a real treat. You know you have something special!

[dmc79]

2 hours ago, Matt P said:

whilst i did recommend leathergraft most of my straps are the suede Levy's ones, some of them are over 20 years old and still going strong.

 

Don't totally rule out leathergraft though as some of their designs are available in an XL version which maxes out to 60"

 

the comfy definitely does. here

 

Thanks for confirming that Leathergraft do longer ones. It looks a bit limited in terms of the ladder adjustment though. I like the sound of "Made from top quality suede this strap is very supple and soft promising a very comfy fit when worn." 

 

Speaking of which, how do you find the Levy's ones in terms of break-in period? I've read comments about them being a little on the stiff side, as well as them arriving with a bend in the leather which is hard to get out. Also, is the padding decent in them? I like a strap to be fairly grabby as opposed to slippy, I guess the Levy's are quite good at keeping your bass in place? I don't fancy trying Neoprene, as I've read that they can be slippy and also make you sweat due to the chunky material. Are there particular Levy's models you recommend? I see some come with what they call 'garment leather' on the back instead of suede. Have you tried these, and if so, what are they like? I guess they won't grab quite like suede, but hopefully are not too slippy either. 

 

Although it's not that much difference from what I already have (2.5" wide), I actually think that even going to 3" with full leather top, suede back & decent padding would be an improvement. Some do a 3.25", I wouldn't go over 3.5", but even that may be too much. I am definitely favouring the Levy's options, just need one that comes in their 'XL' length and I'm not that keen on the round red logo that some of them have at the neck end, I'd rather the logo just blend in subtly. 

 

Edited yesterday at 13:37 by dmc79

[Matt P]

all my levy's straps are the suede/suede ones with minimal padding so they're very soft and supple from the beginning, I think they're all 2.5" wide and are the usual pick for all but my heaviest basses (that 77 in particular).

 

I've not noticed any difference in the length adjustment between the Levy's ladder type and the ladder type from, Leathergraft or Heistercamp (i prefer the ladder type as I don't like metal buckles near delicate finishes.)

 

Matt

[Wombat]

The break in period for a Heistercamp is from when you take it out the box to putting it over your shoulder….

[dmc79]

Thanks Matt. I suppose the leather top is not essential. The Leathergraft 'Comfy' extra long does look pretty good. Whilst I don't like the sound of 'minimal padding', I guess it would have to be comfy to be given that name! Maybe I will go for a suede top & back one after all. I'll have to see if Levy's do one between 3" & 3.5" in extra long, or just take a punt on the Leathergraft 'Comfy' model. 

 

I also don't like the thought of metal buckles on a strap. Same goes for plastic buckles & the plastic pieces that hold different bits of some straps together. A one piece strap with ladder adjusting piece locked in place is essential for me. I guess that technically makes it a two piece strap, but you know what I mean! 

Edited yesterday at 15:05 by dmc79

[Supernaut]

Pinegrove all day! 
 

https://www.pinegroveleather.com