Strap Rap

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Author	Comment
fleiger	Strap Rap	Lead	[-]
(01/23/09 7:37 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None Let's talk straps. Most of my geetar playing is done sitting down where you really don't need a strap. However, ocassionally I do play standing up and of course this requires a strap of some sort. Of course like every other topic concerning guitars, there are many hairs to be split here. My current strap is pretty cheezy I'm embarassed to say, one of those cheap pieces of fake leather crap I bought at GC years ago for ten bucks. Good enough for an equally cheezy guitar like my current Yammie. However, I'm thinking down the road here a bit to the time when I "re-Martinize" myself and I would like to get a nice leather "vintage style" strap from Sully. I've never used any strap configuration other than the standard end pin to strap button on the lower neck area. I have been considering trying a different configuration whereby the strap runs from the end pin to the spot on the peghead just above the nut. Sully can do either one of course, depending on your preference. Sometimes I feel a little "choked" with the standard end pin to strap pin configuration and I thought I might try the other style. But Sully's straps aren't cheap and I would hate to slap down considerable bucks for a strap and then end up not being satisfied with it. Just wondering if you guys prefer one style over the other and why. Comments? Suggestions? Thanks amigos! I can see me now! Fleiger, President & CEO Total Guitar Fraud Club Last Edited By: fleiger 01/23/09 7:41 PM. Edited 1 time.
Still Waters		#1	[-]
(01/23/09 8:37 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Lets call the strap to the head stock a "Long strap" and the strap to the heel a "short strap". (Although in reality they are strangely almost the same length, if you have something extra to go around the headstock, like a martin strap keeper.) I played for years with the long strap con-fig, simply because I didn't want to drill the heel for a strap button. After I drilled it, I wondered why I didn't do it sooner. The difference is all about position. The short strap will put the sound hole closer to your left side by shifting the guitar that way (if you're a rightie) and give your strumming/picking wrist a more natural angle of attack. I noticed an immediate difference in how fast I could strum without the forearm burn. Much better feeling to me. i still have a J-40 I use with the long strap and can't stand how awkward my wrist feels. (so I constantly squeeze the guitar with my arm and shirt it to the left) Chaz.
Garry		#2	[-]
(01/23/09 8:53 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I play almost entirely sitting down, though I can see times ahead where I'll be standing. In which case I'll be long-strapping because I find drilling a hole in a perfectly good heel a hard thing to do, and certainly not worth doing since I won't be playing in front of a bunch of people, or very often at that. My Backpacker came with a strap button on the "heel", but I still tie the long end of the strap to the headstock. Works fine for me. Now, if I were good enough to play before a crowd all the time I might just drill that hole and change to the short-strap method.
Bearclaw Dave		#3	[-]
(01/23/09 10:50 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	But Sully's straps aren't cheap For a good solid hand made strap, they're not really that expensive and I would hate to slap down considerable bucks for a strap and then end up not being satisfied with it. His straps are returnable for a full refund (minus shipping, of course). No risk.
auggie242		#4	[-]
(01/24/09 7:18 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I play almost entirely sitting down and I still wouldn't be without a strap. It keeps the back of my instrument away from my body for more sound, and it lets me keep the guitar at a height of my choosing rather than where ever my lap dictates. Where to hook that strap is a no brainer. I've tried it both ways, and I hate the way it feels without using the strap button. As Chaz said, that long strap certainly does shift the guitar into what for me, is a very unnatural position. Maybe that's because I began playing electric, where a button is the norm. YYMV with long strap vs. short strap, but it won't vary with Sully. Class guy. Class product. Definitely worth very penny. Frank
jscio		#5	[-]
(01/24/09 7:46 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Fleig, you can get a strap that does both by adding a little bit of leather lacing to one end of the strap.
geeterpicker		#6	[-]
(01/24/09 8:30 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	The strap button on the heel is the best way to go - more comfortable and provides good playing position. Personally, I like Franklin straps. I always look for soft leather and something that is not too thick where they attach to the strap buttons. Levy makes some good ones, too. I hate thick, stiff carved leather. Brian
fleiger		#7	[-]
(01/24/09 10:26 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Thanks for the advice and comments amigos. And geeter thank you very much for the referals to Franklin and Levy guitar straps. I never heard of either one before. Man those two outfits make some absolutely beautiful guitar straps and the selection at both is unbelievable. I especially like the Franklin "Southwest Series" straps they offer. For cryin' out loud now I'm GASin for a guitar strap! Anybody else out there who hasn't heard of these two outfits before, here's their links. And don't forget to check out that Franklin "Southwest Series." TASTY!! http://www.franklinstrap.com/index.htm http://www.levysleathers....at,70;Genre-Guitar-Straps Fleiger, President & CEO Total Guitar Fraud Club
Garry		#8	[-]
(01/24/09 10:43 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Thanks Fleiger, I think (cough) I caught your case of strap GAS. That Levy Tapestry strap looks great. Wow, there's a levy dealer about one mile from my house ....... thanks Fleiger!!
fleiger		#9	[-]
(01/24/09 11:27 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Garry wrote: Thanks Fleiger, I think (cough) I caught your case of strap GAS. That Levy Tapestry strap looks great. Wow, there's a levy dealer about one mile from my house ....... thanks Fleiger!! A big THANK YOU to brother Brian on that one Garry. You can't help but get strap GAS when you hit those two links. Hey let us know if you get one. Oh yeah, and what it smells like too. I'm sure you're a sound hole sniffer like the rest of us around here so maybe you will have something to contribute in the strap smelling department that hasn't been covered before. You could also post the bag it comes in or also the parking spot you parked in before you went in the store. Fleiger, President & CEO Total Guitar Fraud Club
DarrellTriple0		#10	[-]
(01/24/09 11:45 AM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Nice straps, but I can't believe neither one makes a strap that attaches to the headstock. Darrell 000-28GE
kydave		#11	[-]
(01/24/09 12:36 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Darrell, Since you asked for comments, input and thoughts on straps, here's mine. I like very plain without decoration. I don't have it yet, but someday I'll get Hushnell to make me a one piece strap like he's made a few people here. Sully's straps have great looking quality leather, but I can't stand all the stuff either dangling off or woven into the straps. That comes from being an adjustable strap. I'd rather figure out how long I want the strap to be for a given guitar or guitars and have a single piece of leather cut for that length. Since I always use heel strap buttons I like something around 2" wide tapering at each end. IF you decide to go to the headstock attachment, since you haven't tried it before, I certainly would get a cheap one to try out. For something like that I would choose to use the narrow strap with the shoulder slip wider piece, since I wouldn't like a really wide piece making that long run from my shoulder to the headstock. Refer to your pic of Elvis for the narrow look. Here's a pic of my ideal type strap. Hushnell made this one for Mike Oso and since he posted the picture on the forum I'm assuming he won't mind me showing it again. Dave Kentucky Dave's Martins: 0-18 (1959); 00-28H (2006 Custom); 000-16R (1999 Special Edition); 0000-28H (1999); D-28 (1971) myspace.davetrabue and beargrasscreek Piraticus 13:7 , , <> ^^^
WeaselD28		#12	[-]
(01/24/09 6:29 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I tried the "long strap" for a little while and couldn't stand it. The strap always felt like it was going to slip off my left shoulder. I've played for about 43 years now and have never found that any strap, once adjusted for a certain guitar, always felt "just right". One day it needed to be a little shorter; the next day a little longer. For that reason, I stay away from the "lace to size" straps - too much hassle to re-adjust. I'll take a cheap buckle adjustable strap over a high-end lace strap every time. YMMV.
geeterpicker		#13	[-]
(01/24/09 8:22 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	You are welcome. Franklin and Levy straps are readily available at most music stores, so you can check them out. Brian
cfmlvr1		#14	[-]
(01/24/09 10:18 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I like the look of the plain leather Levy item in the natural so it will be a one of a kind when it ages out a bit. Isaiah 41:10
hogwldfltr		#15	[-]
(01/24/09 11:35 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	However, I'm thinking down the road here a bit to the time when I "re-Martinize" myself and I would like to get a nice leather "vintage style" strap from Sully. Martinizing Since 1949 at least that's what the web page says. *********** I've been known to play with the following: '71 D-18 : '04 D-18V : Backpacker : 000-28EC : '82 D-41 : '66 D-35 (in repair) : '30 2-17 (in need of fixing) : '67 00-18C : '44 00-18 : '44 00-17 : LX-175th : '30s 0 Uke: '20s 2-M Uke: '82 MC-28 : Gibson C-0 Classic : '98 Martin D12-1 : '70 Guild F-112 : and a '98 Harley-Davidson FLTR Road Glide. Forum intro #992 *********** "What do you all look like?" Post #206 Last Edited By: hogwldfltr 01/24/09 11:38 PM. Edited 1 times.
hogwldfltr		#16	[-]
(01/24/09 11:37 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	PS. I tend to have a strap for every guitar. They are always with the guitar. I buy cheap black leather straps in general and they work great. Occaisionally I get a strap as a gift. The worst straps have metal on them. The all soft leather are my favorites. I also use staps to play sitting down as was the recommendation of a finger style classical guitarist I had as a teacher for a bit. -Lee *********** I've been known to play with the following: '71 D-18 : '04 D-18V : Backpacker : 000-28EC : '82 D-41 : '66 D-35 (in repair) : '30 2-17 (in need of fixing) : '67 00-18C : '44 00-18 : '44 00-17 : LX-175th : '30s 0 Uke: '20s 2-M Uke: '82 MC-28 : Gibson C-0 Classic : '98 Martin D12-1 : '70 Guild F-112 : and a '98 Harley-Davidson FLTR Road Glide. Forum intro #992 *********** "What do you all look like?" Post #206
jakepicks	My Homemade Recipe	#17	[-]
(01/25/09 1:00 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I bought four one piece mandolin straps (3 dark choc. and 1 tan) made by Long Hollow Leather #71070 (KY Dave..Gryphon's) and glued 2 darks together (soft side out) and 1 dark and 1 tan (soft side out and now reversible colors)..one piece in length, soft,with wide spot dead on the shoulder..$18 a piece for an under $40 strap that some folks wanna know where to get one..best ever to me..Sully's look cool too.!! makes me want to try one of his weaves in a one piece with no danglies..someone just beat me out for one on ebay for a winning bid of $61 ..#266 I think..really nice..
D18RC		#18	[-]
(01/25/09 1:49 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	+1 Long Hollow Leather. I use the 70020 no buckle, but they also make the 70030 and 70037 that will attach at the headstock, as well as being adjustable. http://www.longhollowleather.com/catalog_premier.htm R. Curry (Rockbridges and a Gallagher)
Guitaropsimath		#19	[-]
(01/25/09 6:10 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I have found that a big guitar, like a Dreadnought or Jumbo are unmanageable for me with the long strap, but my smaller, lighter guitars work fine with the strap mounted to the headstock. I usually play standing, but use a strap even when sitting. No metal on my straps any more, please, though I still have a couple with adjusting buckles. Doug
WeaselD28		#20	[-]
(01/25/09 6:50 PM) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	After seeing the link to straps with other types of buckles I suppose I should expound a bit. The type of "buckle strap" I was referring to is this type. Infinate adjustment.

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