THE LAST NOTE

he humble bass strap is surely one of the most overlooked items of equipment in our arsenal. Today’s column will hopefully help you choose a suitable strap, along with a few pointers to take into consideration when you go shopping.

Wait. You’re seriously devoting a whole page to straps?

I am. Understanding the science behind them is absolutely crucial for your health and your playing.

Go on then.

Let’s consider the materials first. Most straps are made from leather, suede, or woven nylon, but some brands also experiment with modern materials such as breathable neoprene. I’ve seen straps made from car seat belts, too. Our friend Billy Sheehan uses the woven material used on aircraft carriers to catch airplanes as they land. He attaches them to his basses with stove bolts!

What else do I need to know?

The length of your strap is important. Most straps come in lengths of between 40 and 55 inches, but they can sometimes be longer. Width will play an important part in strap comfort as well: a strap that is too thin will dig into your shoulder and make heavy basses feel even heavier, whereas a wider strap will disperse the load across the shoulder. As I am fairly tall, I can get away with using a strap that is four inches wide, but too wide can also dig in to your neck, so at least three inches is advisable.

This is really boring.

Shut your piehole and listen! Allow me to explain a car seat analogy. When you get in your vehicle, you’ll adjust the seat, the steering wheel and the mirrors to suit your optimal driving position. Everything is in easy reach, and there’s no overstretching or any need to take your eyes off the road, because you’re perfectly comfortable. The same logic applies to bass playing. I set my strap so that the bass stays in exactly the same position when I am sitting down—with good posture, of course—or in a standing position. Why spend hours practising sitting down, only to find that when you stand up the bass is in a completely new position? Of course, if you are the sort of person who values style above substance, then this may not work for you if the bass needs to be down at your ankles...

The Last Note STRAP IT UP

Learn to appreciate your bass strap, advises Dan Veall

Are some straps better than others, then?

It depends on your particular requirements. For bassists who need extra comfort, heavily padded straps can be a godsend, although I’ve tried one or two in the past that seem to stretch while playing. Check reviews of softer straps before you buy, to ensure they will stay put all night. If you’re playing long, hot gigs with bare shoulders, then anything scratchy or a material that doesn’t breathe, like plastic, may be uncomfortable.

Should I pay a lot of money for a strap?

No, but bear in mind that cheap straps may be poorly manufactured and fail to form a secure hold on the strap buttons of your bass, due to their thin material.

Can a good strap help with my bad back?

Some companies such as D’Addario offer a solution in the shape of a strap shaped like a three-point car harness that distributes weight across both shoulders. I mention it as I have one, and it may be useful for bassists with back ailments.

Can I stop my bass neck-diving with a better strap?

To an extent, yes. A wider strap will obviously make the bass feel a little lighter, but the added Dan Veall is a session and stage bass player, educator and gear expert and is here to answer your questions. Contact: @DanVeallBassist

width could help stop the strap from sliding as the bass falls forward. Better still, a suedebacked strap will cling to your clothes. However, if you’re wearing wedding attire for a function gig, you may find that a heavy bass will keep rucking it up.

Quite. What’s a strap lock?

Once you’ve hung your pride and joy on your strap, everything should stay where it is—unless the strap buttons are of poor design, or your strap has become worn. It’s always a good idea to ensure that the strap can’t come off the bass, even when force is applied, so brands such as Schaller and Dunlop have effective systems that secure the strap to the bass with a quick-release lock. These still allow the bass to be used with a standard strap, although some systems out there don’t— meaning if you forget your strap, you’re screwed!