Budget leather straps

[John A.]

I am chastened to learn that my leather-strap-o-philia is a perversion arising from "unthinking acceptance of what has always been done." My experience and experimentation with actual guitars and straps are all a delusion in which I wallow to avoid acknowledging the emptiness of my devotion to unexamined truism. Hanging my head in shame, my glance falls upon my shoes, made of the finest ... uh oh.

John

[Skip Ellis]

Most of the nylon/fabric straps that I've seen have some sort of vinyl backing on them which can have a serious impact on guitar finishes, especially nitro. A friend of mine had the finish on his D-35 Martin totally ruined due to contact with a fabric strap while in the case. Personally, I don't like the looks of nylon/fabric straps - I think they look 'uber' cheap. I'd much rather see a classy looking leather strap on a fine instrument. Strap locks do serve a purpose and I've used them (years ago when they were the 'next best thing')and don't like them at all. I've spent a very large number of hours standing on the bandstand during my 50 year playing career and never had a strap come loose. These days, I use a nice, soft leather strap with a Fender logo that works just great and doesn't scratch or otherwise endanger my instrument. I do have some fancy, tooled straps that I made from heavy leather but I don't use them often.

[citizenk74]

I have straps of nylon, cotton, leather and some incomprehensible combinations thereof. I find them all useful for specific applications. I have Levy's leather for my heavier instruments, and a tooled leather "Gibson" (that's what it says) for my ES-175, because why not, YOLO! A Fender-logo-ed leather strap holds up my '66 Telecaster Custom, because something has to. My grandchildren recently gave me a black leather strap sporting shiny shallow steel pyramidal studs. I may need to buy a guitar to match it. [Edit] Just checked the tag. It's an "Iron Maiden" strap. Something...angular....
I've tried the headstock strap, and it just doesn't work for me. Playing without a strap is likewise a no-go.
To each his own.

[goldenwave77]

Most of the nylon/fabric straps that I've seen have some sort of vinyl backing on them which can have a serious impact on guitar finishes, especially nitro. .

According to the International School of Leather Tanning Technology website, nitro lacquer is itself used as a polishing and finishing agent in tanning. So, lacquer in contact with lacquer residue probably has the potential for bleeding, leaching, etc.

I'm not a chemist but I know enough to know that similar type solvents have the potential to react with each other. I doubt that there is a "bright line of safety" between nylon-based items and leather. I've seen outdoor nylon items (tents, tarps) fade, but not bleed colors. (Cloth-based straps are probably the worst idea is my guess.) My nylon straps are just pure nylon with no fabric backing.

In all likelihood, prolonged contact between any nitro finish, and any sort of strap material is probably not a great idea.

[john_a]

Since the OP Klatu titled his thread "Budget leather straps", it sure got pretty far down a different path for a bit !

I recently purchased a couple budget leather straps that I can recommend:
Amazon.com: ChromaCast Burnt Orange Suede Guitar Strap with 4 Pick Sampler: Musical Instruments

What I like is the feel and comfort, and of great importance to me is that unlike most woven straps, there are NO hard plastic adjusters. It is nice to be able to pack the guitar into a case without any chance of a hard strap buckle hitting the finish !

Speaking of finish, I agree with Skip's comment about vinyl having potential to damage nitro lacquer, and that is something I have witnessed.
Smooth shiny leathers may get a finish with some lacquer component for some usages, but there'd be no "hot" solvent remaining to mar an instrument on a well made leather strap. Dyes can migrate, but not all substrates require risky colorants or top finish, and I've never had harm come from a vat-dyed split suede or top grain leather strap.

I never used strap locks in the past, but recently purchased these Fender Strap Blocks:
Amazon.com: B00B5LDMH6: Musical Instruments
One Ibanez semi hollow I have was coming loose, and these little Fender rubber washers are unobtrusive and worked well (and cheap at less than a buck each delivered.)

So while I do own a ton guitar straps made of nylon, polypropelene, other woven materials, as well as one of the lesser Levy's, my current favorites are the budget suede leather straps from Chromacast. Comfortable, and no hard buckles or rivets.

John

[rio]

Wow, I had no idea that guitar strap material was such a passionate subject.

Anyway, I don't like nylon because It don't like the way it feels but mostly because I have not found any wide nylon straps. Leather is also uncomfortable to me but better than nylon because at least they have more wide strap options. I'm surprised that there is no woven cotton strap love in the thread. They are super comfortable, don't slip and can be very wide which helps reduce slipping and makes it much more comfortable than any other material since when you get 3", 4" or greater widths it conforms to the curvature of your shoulder.

One thing I have been curious about are harness straps but I have never tried one. They don't really have a good look to them but my back these days is not great so I might just have to try one.


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[339 in june]

I'm happy with my Levy's leather straps.
They esthetically fit with the headstock design of my Heritage Sweet 16.
I wonder which strap Mary Halvorson is using these days
...

[DanielleOM]

Just noticed the price came down on the Levy's DM1 strap. Very similar to what Gibson includes or used to include with their guitars. Been a while since I bought a new Gibson.

My favorite in a simple unadorned strap. Not sure why you would want to look for something cheap when you can get one of these.

Levy's DM1 2.5" Top Grain Leather Guitar Strap - Black | Sweetwater

[goldenwave77]

[QUOTE=rio;750022]
One thing I have been curious about are harness straps but I have never tried one. They don't really have a good look to them but my back these days is not great so I might just have to try one.


Go over to the Les Paul forum, and research. I'm sure there are endless discussions about this very topic.

(Harnesses work by spreading out the weight...just like tying a strap onto each end of the guitar. But that's too simple, and/or some people don't like it. Besides, the guitar world always needs more gear paraphernalia to sell, discuss, etc.)

[Klatu]

Just noticed the price came down on the Levy's DM1 strap. Very similar to what Gibson includes or used to include with their guitars. Been a while since I bought a new Gibson.

My favorite in a simple unadorned strap. Not sure why you would want to look for something cheap when you can get one of these.

Levy's DM1 2.5" Top Grain Leather Guitar Strap - Black | Sweetwater

Thanks for the heads-up. I like Levy's straps, but like Goldenwave77 I'm not a big fan of the leather tooling that they tend to use on their quality leather straps.

+1 on the Levy's. Beautiful tooling, soft leather, not too expensive. I have 2, one's about 20 years old--I don't wear a strap much, but just as good as the day it was bought.

If you want something a little different:

Slick Straps

Thanks. Although many of the designs look silly and dated IMO, there are a few including their distressed leather straps that look very good at attractive prices.

[Klatu]

By the way, I wanted to add this in case someone is looking for inexpensive yet effective strap locks that don't require any permanent modifications. These have served me well for years:



Lokstrap System, Set of 2 | stewmac.com

[bwashabaugh]

I love these straps. Simple. Cheap. Very good.

Amazon.com: Planet Waves Classic Leather Guitar Strap, Black: Musical Instruments

Good luck,
Benjamin

[neatomic]

Just noticed the price came down on the Levy's DM1 strap. Very similar to what Gibson includes or used to include with their guitars.

not surprising! levys (a canadian co.) is oem strap maker for some big name guitar manufacturers inc rickenbacker

cheers

[drbhrb]

I don't really see $8 vs $30 being a compelling reason to choose nylon over leather for a product you can use for many years (decades if you so choose or manage to not lose it on a gig). I've had my Levy's strap for 12 years. That's well under the cost of a cup of coffee per year for a comfortable, professional looking strap that doesn't slip because it is textured on the bottom.

[pkirk]

I got this recently and am happy with it

Amazon.com: Perris Leathers DL325S-201 2.5-Inch Soft Suede Guitar Strap with Sheep Skin Pad: Musical Instruments

the fluffy part keeps it stable, and so also helps with neck diving issues.

I haven't read the whole thread/argument but: the reason I like all leather straps is that
they seem to be the only straps that have no hard metal nor hard plastic. And hence, they dont scratch up or nick my guitars
when the strap falls off and lands on the guitar, or when I shove the guitar in the case or gig bag. Probably most of you are careful with your instruments and that's not a problem, but I just don't have the personality to treat my guitars with care. I do have a few straps that are mostly plastic (nylon?) with leather ends for the strap pins, but even those have a plastic length adjustment that can cause damage when it bangs agains the guitar. The one I linked to above is all soft and adjustable.

[coolvinny]

Big fan of my super simple, wide-but-not-thick leather straps that allow me to keep the strap on the guitar when putting it in a gig bag or back in the case at home.

I gave up on finding a strap as supple as my old beat up one (which stays on my laminate jazz box all the time), so I paid $15 for a new sorta stiff model that I figure will soften up over time.

My jazz boxes weigh like 5 lbs, maybe 6 lbs....no need for a big padded case with these guys.

[Thumpalumpacus]

I'm lucky living in Austin: Strait Music carries store-branded sueded leather straps for about $20 that are nice and floppy off the rack. I keep the sueded side inner so that the guitar doesn't move. Even my SG pays attention and doesn't dive. No matter where I get the guit, I stop by Strait's on the way home for a stand and a strap.

- Nylon is usually slippery; leather straps usually have suede on the inward-facing side so that they don't slip; makes a big difference on neck-heavy instruments.
- IME, leather straps last pretty much forever. I have one that's at least 20 years old; the holes are stretched out, but that's what Grolsch is for.
- Nylon straps typically have leather ends/strap-pin holes, which stretch as much as on all-leather straps.

In nylon's favor:

- More color/design options
- Usually cheaper
- It seems like you can't get leather straps with sliders anymore, but all the nylon ones have 'em.

John

Spot-on, John. I'm a fan of Grolsch washers, myself. I've never seen a leather strap with a slider -- mine have always been loop/slot, a pain in the ass to set right but once you do you're good. Beats sliders, for my money because sliders, well, slide.

I've got a Levy's I've had for ten years, and I like that too. Not much scrilla, but a hell of a lot of use.

[Herbie]

In the past I tried to attach the strap to headstock but then the weight of the guitar tends to get me in the middle of the strap and it is not where I want to be! And I don't want to bend the neck either.

I have played a lot with Les Pauls. They are sometimes heavy and that's why I like broad straps.

Nylon straps feel sharp in the neck. I am not a fan of their slipperishness either.

But as said, the manufacturers tend to think that every player who buys a broad leather strap is a cowboy or a business-class lawyer who likes bling. Finding a plain not-too-thick-not-too-thin broad soft leather straps is not easy – and not cheap.

Then I found greek Minotaur straps and their Old Rocker model. Just perfect. Unfortunately discontinued model. After I bought two as new they disappeared.

Some years ago I searched them and at last I found three more used ones so that I now have a good strap for all of my five main axes. I believe they will last loooooong!

The leather is not the most ethical choise in any product, but I have not found better.

And somehow I love the aspect of traditionality in an archtop, tweed amp and the broad life beaten leather strap. Not in the meaning of being conservative but in the meaning of appreciating classic things too.

I somehow appreciate how passionate people can get about this tiny piece of an accessory!

[rio]

So then, again, why are so few people using woven cotton straps? They are super comfortable, won't be in a landfill having aliens or future humans trying to figure out what the heck these things are and don't need to be tanned or kill animals to make them. Logically speaking everyone who doesn't use woven cotton straps is killing the planet and my opinion is like a bouquet of sweet smelling roses here folks.


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[Klatu]

I ordered the Levy's DM1 based on this thread's advice. I'll post the results once it arrives.