Bass Guitar Straps – Everything You Need to Know

Sooner or later you are going to need a bass guitar strap, so here are a few hints and tips about choosing and using one. Bass guitars tend to be heavier than regular guitars and you want it to be comfortable. Go for a strap that is at least 2-3 inches wide. This will spread the load over a greater area of your shoulder and will be much more comfortable than a skinny one.

To further improve the comfort look for a padded strap. If you suffer from back or shoulder pain, you may want to consider an ergonomic strap. These consist of two straps that share the load over each shoulder. The two straps are then joined together at the front and back. They do look a little unusual, but will prove comfortable, especially if you have a heavy instrument.

It may look cool to see someone playing a bass guitar slung low, dangling by the player’s knees, but unless you have extremely long arms it will be very difficult to play and could lead to wrist strain. On the other hand, you don’t want so high that it is hitting you in the chin.

Try this. Assuming you are right-handed, sit on a chair with your legs slightly apart and rest the lower cutaway of the body on your left thigh so that the back of the body is snug against your body. Depending upon the shape of your instrument’s body, this may be more comfortable if you straighten your right leg. Now adjust the strap so that the bass guitar remains in the same position when you stand up.

It is quite common for beginners to learn to play the bass line for a song while seated, only to find that they have difficulty playing it when standing. For this reason you will find it an advantage having your bass guitar in the same position whether sitting or standing.

Experiment a little. Try lengthening and shortening your strap a little until you find the position where it feels the most comfortable and is easiest to play.

Finally, always, always, always use strap locks. These little gizmos attach your bass guitar to the strap and lock it in place. They are relatively inexpensive and are essential pieces of equipment. Dropping your bass guitar to the ground is not something you want to happen.

So, hopefully these tips will help you to choose the best bass guitar strap for you.