Leather Guitar Straps

[suave eddie]

I'm thinking of getting a quality leather strap.
Does anyone have direct experience with any of these brands?

http://www.actioncustomstraps.com/Guita ... heart.html

http://www.eldoradostraps.com/products-over.htm

http://moodyleather.com/indexfl.html

They are all pretty pricey and I wonder if they are significantly better quality than the cheap Fender and Levi leather straps.

The most reasonable one of the above seems to be this one:
http://www.eldoradostraps.com/new-products.htm#durnago
(I like how they misspelled their own product in the URL)

The Moody ones look the most luxurious but I don't like to pay that kind of money and have the company name plastered on it in plain view

Any other sources out there for quality leather straps?

Thanks

[astutzmann]

I Have a few of the levi leather straps, they are great.

try stringsandbeyond.com

[gitman001]

+1 on the levi's leather... i have 5 of them and they are all outstanding. The strap is never an easy choice!

Scott

[vulpesoutfoxed]

I too have had great luck with the Levi's straps. Though if you are looking for something a bit different or unusual, check out http://www.eyelandenterprises.com/ Never have purchased one of their straps, but they certainly have some interesting designs. They also see a bit on the spendy side.

[Boogie Bill]

I have straps from Franklin Leathers, Levy's Leathers, Italia Leathers, Moody's, Double Treble, Atlas and a few others. My preference is for a good leather strap, without conches and such that can scratch the guitar.

The Franklin's are probably my favs, I think I have 15 of them, most from Guitar Center, and a great value. Next is probably Levy's with 8. I like the Tooled Leather Straps (under Classic Straps) in the carving leather, not the suede. Moody's are expensive--I bought a used one off Ebay; where I also found my used Double Treble "Shooting Stars" strap. Italia does very nice work, and they do custom work too--another one that is a good value. Atlas straps are leather, but not as nice as the others.

I'm 6 ft., but portly, so I like a longer strap. Franklin runs 56", Levy's leather strap are usually 53" or 54". Moody's are short, too. Check the specs. Most can make them longer than they spec, at extra charge.

There is also Long Hollow, Buffalo Straps, Eldorado, to name a few. Don't forget, you might have a local leather crafter that could do something for you. And don't forget to check your guitar's manufacturer for a logo strap. My Taylor acoustic has one of their now discontinued "Signature" straps, and it is probably the best designed acoustic guitar strap ever (by Levy's).

You might want to get a leather hole punch from your local leather or craft shop. Most of the button holes are too small, especially if you want to use StrapLocks. (I use Schaller.)

Good Luck.

Bill

[yowhatsshakin]

All my straps are 2.5" wide Levy's suede straps (MSS-3 series). Love those and particularly love their softness. Most of them are plain, but a couple have the Diamond and Tribe motif. Most important however is that whatever strap you pick, it feels comfortable to you. Material and embellishments are only secondary with the caveat that some materials just last longer than others (and suede last less long than non-napped leather).

- Jos

[sirmyghin]

I just bought another Levy today a DM1SG (2.5" foam padding, leather top suede back) they stick well and keep a guitar in place and are very comfortable.

[3volved]

Couch would be a great brand to look at for an affordable strap that is just as durable as leather.

http://www.couchguitarstraps.com/

[suave eddie]

What I am looking for is a plain black high quality leather strap with no metal hardware and no fancy graphics or designs. What I have been using for years is a 3 inch wide woven cotton fabric strap from Martin Guitars. The 'ladder-back' adjustment part of the strap is leather. It is actually quite comfortable. But with a new G&L on the way I wanted to get something new and more elegant. The 3 inch width of my current strap to me is what I think should be minimum. I don't know why most straps are 2.5" standard.
I really like the look of this El Dorado "Durango" but it only comes in 2.5" width. For that money I'd like to get a wider strap.
http://www.eldoradostraps.com/new-products.htm#durnago

I had never heard of Italia Leather until Boogie Bill here and a couple more people on TDPRI recommended them.
They are offering a "buy one get one free" (someone told me that this is actually an ongoing offer) and I think I will be ordering two from them as soon as I can get them to clarify the sizing. I've discovered that there is no such thing as a "standard" size guitar strap. I can get two 4 inch wide straps for $75 plus shipping.


Some may disagree, but it has been scientifically proven that all your tone is in your strap.

[blargfromouterspace]

Couch would be a great brand to look at for an affordable strap that is just as durable as leather

I had one of Couch's straps and disagree with the above statement completely. I found it to be the most uncomfortable strap I've ever owned - the old vinyl had a hard, sharp edge that cut my neck the whole night I used it - I had a number of scratches from it. It also doesn't soften up as nice as leather does, it just wears out and the plastic parts on it would have a shelf life far shorter than that of leather.

Don't forget, you might have a local leather crafter that could do something for you.

This is well worth doing. A guitar strap is the easiest thing in the world for a leather crafter to make. I picked this beauty up for only $60 from a leatha fella



It's 3" wide and can get plenty long - I've shortened it right down and added additional holes, I have it set up 46" from button to button (I hang 'em high!), but will get much much longer.

[sirmyghin]

It's 3" wide and can get plenty long - I've shortened it right down and added additional holes, I have it set up 46" from button to button (I hang 'em high!), but will get much much longer.

You a nipple rider too Jamie? I know I am. You guys certainly like your wide straps, the only time I use a 3" er is with my bass as it is adjustable and my bass needs a longer strap. Too thin a strap to matter though being some nylon crap. My ASAT is pretty light, only about 7 lbs though. My superstrat is about 9 (also light in my world).

[blargfromouterspace]

You a nipple rider too Jamie? I know I am.

Haven't heard that one before - I like it! The reason I like wide straps is that it's easier on the shoulder during 3+ hour gigs. Wider is better if you're playing long shows IME

[sirmyghin]

You a nipple rider too Jamie? I know I am.

Haven't heard that one before - I like it! The reason I like wide straps is that it's easier on the shoulder during 3+ hour gigs. Wider is better if you're playing long shows IME

I used to do 6 hour practices with the bass, 3+ is about when I started sitting.

[Boogie Bill]

You a nipple rider too Jamie? I know I am.

Haven't heard that one before - I like it! The reason I like wide straps is that it's easier on the shoulder during 3+ hour gigs. Wider is better if you're playing long shows IME

Three inch width of soft leather is fine for 4 hours. Four inch width of stiff carving leather--not so comfortable. Just FYI, the Moody's strap I have is four inches wide, and it doesn't quite fit on my shoulder comfortably for long gigs.

Bill

[darwinohm]

Sauve Eddie, you have opened up a pandoras box here. You have it right. The guitar strap will determine your tone. Seriously. i have about 45 guitar straps. Several different brands but I have several different types of Fender straps which are made by Levis and Levis is a quality strap. I use a wide on my bass and have many others from 2 1/2 inch to bigger. I love them all just like all my guitars. My favorite overall is the strap that come with the American Deluxe Fender witch is a Levis built leather strap and I have at least 30 of those. They are all black but I generally buy the others to match or enhance the color of the guitar. The bottom line is if it fits you well it is well. I use wider straps on heavier guitars but I am trying to buy lighter guitars now days. A gaudy guitar strap will not do the job and if you really get into it, have you name inlayed on your guitar neck in abalone. Seriously, I like the Levis based strap with the slip adjustment instead of the notched strap as you can adjust it exactly to your comfort and the important thing is to color coordinate it with your guitar. Ginny helps me with that if I am not sure and she has yet to let me down.!!-- Darwin

[Michael-GnL-Michael]

So many people looking for a specific sound talk about the pickups, amps, strings and guitars. Like the postage in Charade, they overlook the strap. Reminded me of an old Pete Barbutti joke about chrome valve covers.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_q ... butti&aq=0











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[RickT]

I've got 3 El Dorado straps, two brown hand-tooled, and a 1 1/2 inch brown "plain" model for my ASAT Classic. I find these to be very comfortable and craftsmanship in the El Dorado straps versus the Levy straps.

RickT

[suave eddie]

Well my leather straps from Italia Leather finally arrived today. Even though they were shipped on June 5, the Postal strike/lockout delayed it considerably.

Excellent quality soft thick leather. With the oversize G&L strap buttons, I had to really work to get the strap on.

Interestingly enough, with the new strap there is no perceptable improvement in my tone, nor my playing--I guess I may have to re-evaluate my theory on the relationship of the strap to tone, talent, and playing ability!

[oneeyedog]

just bought one from this guy, really fast turnaround and beautiful strap
http://www.bearstraps.com/
john

[sirmyghin]

I like how you adjust those bear straps. Seeing as I run strap locks and most straps involve looping around themselves, adjusting a strap just perfact can be a bit of a pain.