Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather

Subject: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Mar 15 - 08:21 PM

I've never been the kind of bloke who's into jewelry or any kind of unnecessary adornment...
- I'm so parsimonious/frugal I haven't even worn a watch for the past 25 years,
since my last casio digital packed up.

For me, guitar straps have always been the cheapest functional sturdy reliable black cotton or leather
I can find..

But now.. since xmas I've noticed Levy's high quality wide padded leather straps
at silly knock down prices on legitimate shopping sites on the internet,
and couldn't help giving into temptation.

I can understand why a lot of the garish multicoloured patterns,
teenager's heavy metal, or christian worship logo straps are being sold off cheap for clearance;

but so are classic vintage design plain black or brown straps for mature grown ups !!!???

So.. the first strap was delivered
[supposedly 60 quid retail knocked down to £15 - certainly didn't look like a counterfeit]

The quality is excellent, and the balance of the guitar on the strap is really comfortable.
- it's a weird new sensation for me to experience,
luxury for it's own sake, and absolutely no good reason.

But a it's a definite boost of 'feel good factor'..

errrmmm.. so I've bought another 4 or 5 of various classic designs......
all for about 15 quid each.

... and because the leather is so thick, once they are attached to a guitar,
they are a real bugger to get back off again
- almost like permanent strap locks.


I'm justifying the expense, as they will obviously last the remainder of my playing lifespan...


Maybe other luxury products are worth considering...???

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Mar 15 - 09:35 PM

.. Just ocurred to me... another positive..

NO hard plastic or metal buckles or other fitments, that can damage a guitar's finish
when packed up in a gig bag or case...

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Mar 15 - 10:19 PM

A cool 20 years ago, at the 20th anniversary of the Alaska Folk Festival, I bought a cowhide guitar strap. It is still like new.

Some years ago a friend brought me a handwoven textile strap from Guatemala, just the right width to overlay the leather strap. I keep thinking of getting holes punched into the leather and having a truly unique guitar strap.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: Mark Ross
Date: 05 Mar 15 - 12:58 AM

I buy old bridal reins and make them into instrument straps. Helluva lot cheaper. Of course I like thin straps.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: Seamus Kennedy
Date: 05 Mar 15 - 02:13 AM

"Bridal" reins, Mark? Must have been a helluva wedding night!

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: Musket
Date: 05 Mar 15 - 04:52 AM

I like leather straps, especially wide ones. A rough underside gives grip to your shoulder and prevents the guitar neck from falling, as acoustic guitars tend to be neck heavy.

I have both expensive and cheap, and to be fairy, the cheap ones I have seem as good as the others, although aesthetically, the expensive ones look nicer.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: GUEST,Robin Twatt
Date: 05 Mar 15 - 02:50 PM

Can you give us the web address, PFR?

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: Brian May
Date: 05 Mar 15 - 02:55 PM

Love the name, are you a retailer?

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 05 Mar 15 - 03:13 PM

If you look at Levy's website and see a strap you like, it's worth checking google shopping...

Though ignore links to amazon.. obviously amazon.uk is evil and should be boycotted
by all right minded mudcatters...


[psst... actually amazon.uk is doing regular low price bargain clear out deals;
and worth a frequent visit..
Levy's straps

select 'sort by low price to high']

.. but that's an example of what folk should not do.. remember ..boycott amazon...

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: olddude
Date: 05 Mar 15 - 03:26 PM

I can't play using a strap have to sit down, that being said I have very expensive staps I never used

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: GUEST,Robin Twatt
Date: 05 Mar 15 - 03:49 PM

Brian - no, I'm from Orkney and it's an area on NW Mainland. My mum and dad didn't make the connection, bless 'em.
We are a proud family of Twatts.
My brother is called Silly (it's Billy really)

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: GUEST,Mark Bluemel
Date: 06 Mar 15 - 04:34 AM

Olddude said "I can't play using a strap have to sit down, that being said I have very expensive staps I never used"

That's funny, because I'm pretty much the opposite. Because I've done most of my playing in a live (pub) band, I find it much more natural to play stood up, even woodshedding at home.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 06 Mar 15 - 08:18 AM

I even use a strap when sitting down. You can make solid stretch free straps from old seatbelts.

The worst thing about Twatt is that there are no road signs to tell you that yu've arrived. Has anyone ever been to Intercourse?

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: GUEST,Robin Twatt
Date: 06 Mar 15 - 09:20 AM

All the signs were taken down so as not to offend folk. Twatt Manse has been renamed The Manse.
Wot a liberty!
We're proud of our name and we ain't gonna change it.
There's a Twatt in Shetland too - don't know about the signs there. Anyone know?

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 Mar 15 - 03:38 PM

I get my straps from Sully's Straps - hand-made, no silly buckles, rivets, conchos etc. to damage your guitar, just great leather and excellent craftsmanship.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: vectis
Date: 07 Mar 15 - 07:16 AM

I made my own from thick saddlery leather 40 years ago and it is still pretty pristine and uber comfy.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: Jack Campin
Date: 07 Mar 15 - 08:19 AM

There is a sign.

Twatt Appreciation Society

Somebody needs to be photographed by that sign wearing the t-shirt of the Muff Diving Club.

Subject: RE: Tech: Guitar Straps - expensive luxury leather
From: saulgoldie
Date: 07 Mar 15 - 09:15 AM

I got a couple of these--can't say if they are "expensive" or not--but they are very attractive, and strong.



Lakota Buffalo Straps

Saul