Guitar Strap Recommendations?

Hi All,

I'm fairly new to the guitar. I have two guitars (a Seagull S6 Acoustic and a Squier Standard Stratocaster SE). I'm looking to improve on the straps I have on them, as the current ones I have are just the basic uncomfortable nylon.

I'm looking for recommendations for a guitar strap that I can use comfortably with both guitars. I'm willing to spend a little more than the 6 bucks I paid for the basic strap, but I'm not ready to jump into the 100+ dollar strap market, either. 20 bucks or so would be my limit at this point.

Any recommendations?

John

It has been elsewhere posted that a leather strap works well and I agree. You can get a leather strap in your price range.

I have a nylon web strap (basically a seatbelt strap =P) and a leather strap and I can say for sure the leather is more comfortable.

Obviously a soft leather will be more comfortable than stiff leather. But either one will 'take your shape' over time. You'll want one at least a couple of inches wide at the shoulder.

As far as using on both guitars, you might have to adjust it when switching. Unless you Seagull has a strap button on the body, you'll be tying the strap to the headstock, so it'll need to be longer than you would use with your Squire. You really need two.

My 2 cents. :)

Get the widest strap you can find. The more you can spread out the weight of your guitar, the less pressure on a small area of your shoulder.

And yes, get one for each guitar. Its just way too much hassle to change one strap from an acoustic to an electric guitar.

Thanks for the input, guys! Looks like I'm going shopping this weekend. :)

Originally Posted by: Razbo

As far as using on both guitars, you might have to adjust it when switching. Unless you Seagull has a strap button on the body, you'll be tying the strap to the headstock, so it'll need to be longer than you would use with your Squire. You really need two.

I've got a Seagull, and I installed a strap pin on the body, so that's where I'm attaching my strap. Is there a benefit to attaching one to the headstock instead?

Gary,

You don't actually attach a button to the headstock (although I suppose it's possible). You tie the end of the guitar strap to the headstock with a something similar to a shoelace.

I have a guitar strap on there now that ties to the headstock, and has a quick release buckle so I can take the strap off for storage.

I'm thinking of adding a button to the heel of the neck, though, because I think it would sit better. I don't like the way the strap sits right now.

John

I put the strap button the neck at the body myself as well. It was more for aesthetics at first, but in the end let me move the guitar around more easily (you know, gettin' funky!) as well as felt more comfortable.

Okay, I see. My Seagull came with an endpin, but nothing else, so I thought about doing the tie-it-onto-the-headstock thing just to avoid having to drill into my new guitar. But I got brave last week and drilled into the body anyway.

You're a braver man than I am, Gary. I'll probably take mine into a shop/luthier and have them do it. I'd hate to crack it.

You do want to drill a small hole first though, and I do think the starp pin is a better option. I feel like the headstock thing pulls on the neck some, and could give you some tuning problems.

I have several straps, but my fave is all leather, and 6 inches wide. it's tapered down on the ends, and goes down to about 3 inches. My wife had it made for me about 9 years ago, before we got married. it was around 30 bucks back then, but it still works great, and was well worth it. It may be cheaper if you don't personalize it too, but it is cool to have your name on there.

You can find something cheaper, but it may not last as long. The leather won't be as thick, and will wear much faster. Try to find someone that makes belts at a flea market or something, and ask them to make you one. It may be a little more expensive, but it will last for a long time.

JD

Originally Posted by: sixpickerI feel like the headstock thing pulls on the neck some, and could give you some tuning problems.

I never considered that. It's an interesting thought.

Originally Posted by: RazboI never considered that. It's an interesting thought.

Neither did I. It makes sense though, especially if you play for long periods of time.

If I had the headstock tied, there's no telling what kind of shape my necks would be in. I'm not known for playing gently, my guitar tech said I was really rough on a neck. It can also depend on what kind of guitar it is, and what kind of neck it is.

A one piece neck will be stronger, but it still seems like it would pull on it some. I pull on the neck sometimes for effect, and it doesn't take much pressure to lower the pitch of the strings.

Playing rhythm it wouldn't be as noticeable, but playing leads it probably would. You can put it on anyway you want, but make sure it's a nice wide strap. A sewn strap from multiple pieces wont last long before threads start to unravel and other stuff too.

JD

Thanks for the advice, sixpicker. I'll be sure to find something with a wide strap. I'm also going to find a good guitar tech/luthier to fix a strap button to the Seagull.