Straps for accoustics

[gkella]

I just recently purchased my Larrivee.
I did not get a starp and find that while I am playing in a sitting postion,
the guitar slips down to where it is laying flat on my lap.
Any advise on a good strap or should I be holding the guitar more securely?
Glen

[Tycho]

You should be able to position the guitar in such a way that you don't need a strap.  But having said that, I always use a strap even when I'm playing sitting down, because I find it more secure and comfortable.

Since you didn't buy a strap, I'm guessing that your Larrivee doesn't have a strap pin where the neck meets the body.  You can still use a strap the old fashioned way, by fastening it to the headstock. 

[ducktrapper]

A strap is a strap. You can pay as little or as much as you like. Levy leathers are quite nice. Planet Waves make some cool straps as well. 

[tuffythepug]

Of course if you want to go first class all the way there's always these deisigner guitar straps.  Used by many of top names in the business.   I first heard of them through Patti Griffin whjo is a big fan of these straps.  Not cheap though.

http://jodihead.com/custom-straps.html

Or you could go with something like these   

http://www.actioncustomstraps.com/Guitar_Strap_Designs/guitar_strap_designs.html

[rockstar_not]

How is the guitar sliding down into your lap?  I've only had that issue with Ovations with the curved back.

With that said, I don't like Levy straps - I think the leather they use is much too stiff - at least the straps I've tried by them.  They have all been multi-layer and quite heavy actually.  I prefer a single-layer leather strap without any stitching or the like.  I'm trying to remember the name brand but it's slipping my mind right now.

There's several over at the www.sweetwater.com site that look like the one I use:  Finished leather surface on top, suede surface on the bottom - pretty lightweight - suede prevents slippage on the shoulder.

Here's one similar to mine - I know mine wasn't Gibson:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ASGGL010/

-Scott

[Tycho]

Of course if you want to go first class all the way there's always these deisigner guitar straps.  Used by many of top names in the business.   I first heard of them through Patti Griffin whjo is a big fan of these straps.  Not cheap though.

http://jodihead.com/custom-straps.html

My very fashionable and stylish SO has a couple of those Jodi Head straps.  They're nice.

All I have to compare is a couple of Ratfink straps with the famous designs by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth.  But I keep them away from the Larrivees; they're for electrics only.

[NotRevGDavis]

I have been using Stephi straps http://www.stephaccessories.com/ for quite awhile. Their padded strap is the best strap I have ever used.

[gkella]

I can't explain why or how it is slipping down.
It is a constant issue.
I agree with this being more of an issue with Ovations.
I have a bit of a gut on me, so maybe it has something to do with my body shape.
Hey... I just realized how theraputic this site is.
Instead of spending money on a strap.. I should
exercise and go on a diet.
Thanks for the free psychiatric session.
Glen

[G Man]

I've got a couple of these, one in a standard and one vintage that is very nice.

http://www.sullysstraps.com/

[Dale_I]

Levy's have a huge number of straps. Although some may be stiff (I honestly don't know), I can recommend a Levy MSS80 padded leather 2" strap. Very supple leather, thin enough not to cut into your neck, yet the padding helps the weight feel more dispersed than you would expect from a 2" wide strap. I have one for each of my guitars and will probably not ever buy anything else.

[tuffythepug]

Levy's have a huge number of straps. Although some may be stiff (I honestly don't know), I can recommend a Levy MSS80 padded leather 2" strap. Very supple leather, thin enough not to cut into your neck, yet the padding helps the weight feel more dispersed than you would expect from a 2" wide strap. I have one for each of my guitars and will probably not ever buy anything else.

I have the exact same strap you describe and I agree it's one of the best leather straps I've seen. I usually tend to go pretty tame when it comes to straps.   I like 'em simple and basic. Solid colors; no wacky designs.  I've probably got a dozen or so straps laying around and I tend to keep re-using the same 2 or three on all my gutars.  You can get attached to the feel and fit of a strap just like you can get attached to the guitar in some ways.

gkella,
OK here's my theory on your guitar slippage.  I'm gonna guess that when you are sitting down playing you are looking at the fretboard perhaps to see your finger positioning or out of habit.  To do this, especially if you've got a bit of a belly, requires that you tilt the guitar back towards your body slightly so you can see it.    This particular guitar, coupled with your posture when playing, just reaches a tipping point where it slides to full horizontal if you aren't holding it in place.  So................try holding the guitar completely vertical, change your posture a little bit, or get a strap.   
Promise me you'll let me know if this is on the mark.

Good Luck

Tuffythep;ug

[Edwardtang]

For straps, I love the ones that others have been using for the past 20-30 years.
Ya..I know, you might be thinking "Gross! "
I constantly search (at my friends', relatives', their relatives' places) and offer to buy them.
Usually they will be suprised and they would give me them for free. Or they will be happy that now they got cash to buy a new one!
Used straps are just so soft and the edges are smoothed out. 

[ducktrapper]

Okay, who's got the most straps? I only count ten. Some real nice ones though. 

[Tycho]

Okay, who's got the most straps? I only count ten. Some real nice ones though. 

I try to keep one in the case with each guitar, and I'm currently at 17 of those, so....

(I do that because I do like to rotate my guitars for gigs and jams, and I don't want to have to hunt for a strap whenever I pull out a guitar.)

On top of those, I know I've got a few extra straps around the house too.   

[bud0505]

You can't go wrong with a strap from Sully.   http://www.sullysstraps.com/index.html

[LO3 SP]

I have found Levy's 2.5 inch wide suede straps (not the 2 inch wide signature suede ones) are really easy to use. Why? Because they are very flexible from the start, (unlike even thin leather ones) and, being suede on both sides help to position your guitar where you want it, sitting or standing. Because of the friction of the back of the strap on your shoulder and back you can tilt the guitar to any playing angle you wish and it will stay there. But do yourself a big favour and, if you don't have one already,  put a strap button on the treble side of the heel - much better "hang" to the guitar, sitting or standing,  IMHO.
Bye now
Keith

[rockstar_not]

I have found Levy's 2.5 inch wide suede straps (not the 2 inch wide signature suede ones) are really easy to use. Why? Because they are very flexible from the start, (unlike even thin leather ones) and, being suede on both sides help to position your guitar where you want it, sitting or standing. Because of the friction of the back of the strap on your shoulder and back you can tilt the guitar to any playing angle you wish and it will stay there. But do yourself a big favour and, if you don't have one already,  put a strap button on the treble side of the heel - much better "hang" to the guitar, sitting or standing,  IMHO.
Bye now
Keith

Keith, good advice on the button location - that's where mine is located.

All this talk about the padding distributing the weight.  Man, my Larry is danged light compared to every other guitar in my arsenal.  Even my classical guitar is heavier (from the heavy layers of gloss applied at the factory in China!).

And my P-Bass copy probably weighs 3 times what my Larry weighs.

But my thin leather strap came flexible and supple right from the start.  I wind it into a roll and it fits in the hardware compartment in the neck portion of my Larry's case.

[ducktrapper]

I try to keep one in the case with each guitar, and I'm currently at 17 of those, so....

(I do that because I do like to rotate my guitars for gigs and jams, and I don't want to have to hunt for a strap whenever I pull out a guitar.)

On top of those, I know I've got a few extra straps around the house too.   

Oops eleven, twelve. One on my mandolin and one old macrame thing, I hang on the wall but nver use. I'm in hot pursuit Tycho! 

[pennerblue]

Can anyone help me?
I purchased this strap several years ago, see pic.
It has no identifying markings of manufacturer.
It's 2 inches wide, VERY soft cotton and only about 1/16th thick.
I had it on my Ric electric (which I play very rarely these days) and swapped it to the D03SO.
It's by far the most comfortable strap for me.  Soft and light.  I also like the retro tweed look, personally.
I'd love to get another one, but have no idea where I bought it.

I don't like the nylon ones-not flexible enough.  Leather is nice if you find the style you want, but for me...this is THE strap.

It seems that most straps are made so sturdily that you could hang a car engine from them.  Acoustic guitars are quite light, so it really doesn't take much.  The soft cotton is not only comfy when standing, but as some have mentioned, also for use when seated.

Any ideas?
Thanks!

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[tuffythepug]

Can anyone help me?
I purchased this strap several years ago, see pic.
It has no identifying markings of manufacturer.
It's 2 inches wide, VERY soft cotton and only about 1/16th thick.
I had it on my Ric electric (which I play very rarely these days) and swapped it to the D03SO.
It's by far the most comfortable strap for me.  Soft and light.  I also like the retro tweed look, personally.
I'd love to get another one, but have no idea where I bought it.

I don't like the nylon ones-not flexible enough.  Leather is nice if you find the style you want, but for me...this is THE strap.

It seems that most straps are made so sturdily that you could hang a car engine from them.  Acoustic guitars are quite light, so it really doesn't take much.  The soft cotton is not only comfy when standing, but as some have mentioned, also for use when seated.

Any ideas?
Thanks!

I believe I've seen tweed straps like that at Guitar Center.  I don't know who the mfr. is though.  Next time I see one I'll check it out.

Tuffythepug