Hi Max,

Always good to see someone taking up the instrument. Do you play any other instrument as yet, or are you a total beginner?

1) The bigger and heavier the box, the better quality straps you need - so they don't break and drop it on your toe - sweat is the enemy of leather straps, time and wear that of plastic ones. Better quality ones cost more.

2) The bigger and heavier the box, the more wider the straps and padding you need. The more padded and wider ones cost more.

3) The bigger and heavier the box, the more chance you may need back straps. Once again, they may come with the ones intended for bigger instruments.

4) The top of teh line best and biggest ones out in Australia are called "Elephant" - when our dollar was lower, they were up to AU$150 retail!

5) If $30 is all you want to pay, then you at least will be able to play it... but you may find it less comfortable that you think after a while.

6) Are these replacement straps proper Accordion straps, or something "home-made" - how wide, what padding, back-straps, etc?

You might like to look at the Technique: Piano Accordion for The Recycled Muso for other helpul knowledge, including how to strap it onto your body correctly, so you can play it easier.

The Author is known to be a bit pedantic, and it doesn't cover everything... yet ...

Robin