Advice for Strap

[Strife18]

Hey everyone,

I just bought a Les Paul Standard and am currently waiting for it to arrive. So during this time I thought I would do some strap shopping. Since it is a bit heavier of a guitar I was looking at a few and thought I could get some input.

First was looking at Levy's MSS80 but not sure if the 2" will be supportive enough.
LEVY'S MSS80-BRG BURGUNDY LEATHER PADDED GUITAR STRAP | eBay

Another option in the levy's is the MSS1 with the thicker strap
LEVY'S MSS1-BRN BROWN PADDED LEATHER GUITAR STRAP ! | eBay

Or this Mono GS-1 Betty strap, seems a bit big but probably super comfy.
MONO The Betty GS-1 Strap SharkSkin Steel Gray Long 47" - 59" Thick Cushion | eBay

Thanks for your advice

[paruwi]

Originally Posted by Strife18

Hey everyone,

I just bought a Les Paul Standard and am currently waiting for it to arrive. So during this time I thought I would do some strap shopping. Since it is a bit heavier of a guitar I was looking at a few and thought I could get some input.

First was looking at Levy's MSS80 but not sure if the 2" will be supportive enough.
LEVY'S MSS80-BRG BURGUNDY LEATHER PADDED GUITAR STRAP | eBay

Another option in the levy's is the MSS1 with the thicker strap
LEVY'S MSS1-BRN BROWN PADDED LEATHER GUITAR STRAP ! | eBay

Or this Mono GS-1 Betty strap, seems a bit big but probably super comfy.
MONO The Betty GS-1 Strap SharkSkin Steel Gray Long 47" - 59" Thick Cushion | eBay

Thanks for your advice

Don't forget a good strap-lock.......

it's cheaper than a broken headstock

[Strife18]

Yup, I'll look into investing into one of those as well

[River]

Originally Posted by Strife18

Yup, I'll look into investing into one of those as well

Get two. They're small.

[Strife18]

Sounds good, any advice for the straps I've looked at, or any alternate ideas?

[cicone]

Originally Posted by Strife18

Sounds good, any advice for the straps I've looked at, or any alternate ideas?

Use a Levy's on the Strat. No probs. Nice and comfortable faded denim looking thing.

[michaelinokc]

I received a Gibson Modern Vintage strap as an anniversary gift. It's got a shoulder pad with memory foam and I love it. Keeps the Les Paul Custom from killing my shoulder.

Gibson Modern Vintage Leather Strap with Memory Foam Pad | GuitarCenter

[MyLeftyPaul]

Originally Posted by River

Get two. They're small.

You always paint a smile on my face Riv.

How about cliplock leather straps from DiMarzio?

[Rhust]

nice strap!

I use the dunlop strap locks, great investment, imo... I put them on every guitar and strap... I DID have to open the holes in some newer straps to make dunlop locks work... no biggie, but annoying to buy a new leather strap, and then have to cut the hole bigger... it was a planet waves leather strap, IIRC


and fwiw, I think the 2" straps are fine... I have a wider one for my SG since it's neck-heavy but the LP is fine...

I have a couple old straps from the 60s/70s that I like a lot, they are suede on the inside, and embroidered on the outside... very retro, light and comfy

[Strife18]

I'm just trying to keep in mind that I just started playing guitar so my standing/playing sessions are probably going to be quite limited. Also, trying to keep the cost down as I am a newbie

[Rhust]

then get a $10 strap and the locks... tbh, when you are starting out, sitting will probably MUCH more comfortable anyway...

I mainly sit, and the strap is just in case I do something stupid, my guitar won't fall... and my acoustic doesn't even have a strap. the nylon or cotton straps are plenty comfortable and only a few $... but get the strap locks!

why you need more than a cheap strap is beyond me.

[cicone]

Originally Posted by Rhust

then get a $10 strap and the locks... tbh, when you are starting out, sitting will probably MUCH more comfortable anyway...

I mainly sit, and the strap is just in case I do something stupid, my guitar won't fall... and my acoustic doesn't even have a strap. the nylon or cotton straps are plenty comfortable and only a few $... but get the strap locks!

why you need more than a cheap strap is beyond me.

Agreed. Cheap strap and Grolsch washers. More important is checking that damn screw in the button by the neck. Major habit of getting loose over time. I can't overemphasize--toothpick, glue, tight! Repeat.

[Strife18]

alright, will do. Thanks everyone!

[EEF13]

I use a 1 inch strap with my Les Paul and I am fine and my LP is super heavy. A 2 inch strap would be fine.


How much are you willing to spend? Italia Straps are having a buy one get one free sale.

[MyLeftyPaul]

Originally Posted by EEF13

Italia Straps are having a buy one get one free sale.

Yeah, two one-inch strap... you can use at the same time, suspenders style!

Sorry EEF13, just in the mood.

[NovaSDF]

You guys should check out Loxx strap locks. They are a relatively new product, but the design has been around for 100 years. They are from Germany, and Guitar Center just started carrying them.

They aren't as big and awkward looking as a lot of strap locks, but amazingly effective and secure.

The legend goes that a guy's son was playing in a band, and one of his strap locks broke. The guy was a mechanic, and had some of the fasteners in his pocket that Mercedes, Audi and BMW use to fasten down the rag tops on their old cars. In a pinch, he figured they would work so he screwed one of them on the guitar and it was immediately love at first sight. The car companies had patented the locks back in the early 1900's, but this was a whole new use for them. Created a new market, which they now sell under the name Loxx.

Anyway - I did a lot of research when I wanted to upgrade to strap locks on my solid body LP, and these were clearly the most attractive design - and they have worked flawlessly.

[Rhust]

why pay $30 for locks when $11 dunlop locks work fine? my charvel has had them for 20 years....

[music to my ears]

Franklin all-leather.

[Muttering Bill]

Why spend extra money on strap lock buttons at all, when you can just get a DiMarzio ClipLock strap for $20 total? Unless you want to get something with a fancy pattern to it, of course. But for a basic solid color strap, they're secure, comfortable and inexpensive. They also come in leather if TC really wants that.

I've trusted all of my guitars to them - the basic 2" black nylon ones - and never had any problems.

Just make sure to install with the black screws/bushings for an LP.

[NovaSDF]

The reason I would pay the extra $20 for the Loxx is that it's a small amount of money for a product that, in my opinion. was esthetically better. They just didn't look as bulky on my guitar - plus they are excellent quality locks. But, to each their own and I'm sure a lot of people would prefer the look of the Dunlop locks.

[Rhust]

Originally Posted by NovaSDF

The reason I would pay the extra $20 for the Loxx is that it's a small amount of money for a product that, in my opinion. was esthetically better. They just didn't look as bulky on my guitar - plus they are excellent quality locks. But, to each their own and I'm sure a lot of people would prefer the look of the Dunlop locks.

sorry, I was just saying he's already said he's on a budget (if it's a she, I apologize)

and no one's ever come up after a show and said "nice looking strap locks" ever..

the LOXX ones do look good though

[Iron Blimp]

Maybe it's me, but I never understood how people will pay thousands of dollars for a guitar - then buy the cheapest strap they can find.

The majority of cheap straps use very thin leather at the ends and it rips or stretches over time. Better to find one with thick leather - harder to put on straplocks but well worth it and you'll never need another one.

[Thunder Dump]

Italia Straps (Guitar Straps - Leather Guitar Straps - Bass Guitar Straps). They're a vendor here on MLP. I've got eight of their 2.5" straps and love them. Awesome craftsmanship.

[johnnymg]

Originally Posted by Muttering Bill

Why spend extra money on strap lock buttons at all, when you can just get a DiMarzio ClipLock strap for $20 total? Unless you want to get something with a fancy pattern to it, of course. But for a basic solid color strap, they're secure, comfortable and inexpensive. They also come in leather if TC really wants that.

I've trusted all of my guitars to them - the basic 2" black nylon ones - and never had any problems.

Just make sure to install with the black screws/bushings for an LP.

Thanks for posting this. I'm going to order one of these bad boys.

cheers
JohnG

[NovaSDF]

Originally Posted by Rhust

sorry, I was just saying he's already said he's on a budget (if it's a she, I apologize)

and no one's ever come up after a show and said "nice looking strap locks" ever..

the LOXX ones do look good though

No problem, wasn't trying to be a smart ass. Sorry.

I do a fair bit of graphic design, so to me looks are huge. I know some people are on a budget, trust me I know

That's why I spent $40 on the Dragonfire DiMarzio knockoffs of the X2N rather than the brand names for $160. Tough times force us to make tough choices.

Having said that, if I really wanted a $20 item, I could probably scrounge enough soda cans to make $20. There's always a way to make a couple of dollars, helping clean out garage or something. That's why I don't consider $20 a big deal.

If I were to play my guitar with the strap on 100% of the time, it probably wouldn't matter to me as much, but I tend to spend the majority of my time holding the guitar in my lap and only use the strap occasionally. Because of that, I really wanted strap locks that had the best look to them, and I couldn't find any I liked better than Loxx.

Regardless, I think we all agree that some type of locking for the strap is pretty much mandatory on a Les Paul. Even though I only use it occasionally, I did have the strap almost pull off once when I first got the guitar. Caught it before it could fall, but scared the hell out of me. Was researching strap locks ten minutes later. Even if you spend $30 for a set of locks, it's a hell of a lot better than staring blankly at what used to be your guitar.

Secure that baby!

[polarbare21]

I have an old Fretsling guitar strap.
It is shaped like an "S" so it keeps the strap off of your neck and on your shoulder.
Its 3 1/2-4 inches wide to disperse the weight. And with my neck problems this thing really saves me some pain.

I would suggest a wide Bass guitar strap, I use one on my Epi 1275 doubleneck.
(another heavy SOB)
And I DEFINATELY recommend Schaller Strap Locks. You can nail them on ebay for 10-15 bucks delivered.

Congrats on the new axe.... keep it safe.. buy the schallers!

[FatsoJetson]

I might be the only person here that doesn't use strap locks anymore. I had a set break on me, but thankfully I caught the neck before the headstock hit the ground. I can't trust strap locks now, so it's a cheap set of washers for me. Those won't fail me!

(Unless I need to take the strap off...)

[Backstage]

Levy's straps are great.

[Electric Funeral]

Go to a store that has some LP's and try a few style of straps out. Some people love the wider leather straps, but I hate how they sort of lock the strap into one place. I don't like the lack of mobility. I've been using 2" nylon and Kepur straps with no problems. You probably don't need straplocks if you have a Kepur and decent strap buttons. I use a Grolsch washer or two for live stuff if I'm feeling paranoid, but otherwise the Kepur strap does just fine by itself. I also use the Dunlop straplocks for other straps.

[IndianScout]

I use the Dimarzio quick lock strap, if I break down on the way home someone can use the strap to tow my car with