What strap is good for B-bending?

Valvey · March 29th, 2008, 05:38 PM

I just got a Telecaster Nashville B-Bender and my old strap broke in the first session. Obviously there are more demands on a strap for this sort of thing in terms on comfort,strength and adjustability. I was wondering which strap you guys recommend.

BrianF · March 29th, 2008, 09:57 PM

A wide (2 to 3 inches) soft leather strap works great. The strap should not have a slick surface in contact with your shoulder otherwise it will slip all over. Levi's and Franklin make good straps that fit the bill for a b bender.

hotraman · March 29th, 2008, 10:23 PM

I was watching one of my B bender instructional videos.
The guy said the same thing. Avoid the smooth & slick straps.
I have a leather with a felt design.
I can play my bender standing or sitting.

sunskippers · March 31st, 2008, 09:26 AM

I use always levy's stap padded leather pm or mss series. They feel and played very fine

1charger69 · April 1st, 2008, 08:38 PM

i got one custom made by a good buddy of mine.. hes on here alot too...(wvmatt.)..one hell of leather craftsman. the strap is like wearing nothing at all..its that comfortable! - he made Brad Pasileys "Brad" strap as well as several others for him and for other big name stars as well - he even does leather covers and pickguards too

Tim Bowen · April 1st, 2008, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianF

A wide (2 to 3 inches) soft leather strap works great.

Is there anything else?! Seriously, other than for mandolins, I can't imagine using anything other than a 3" wide leather strap with stringed instruments. Anything else is uncomfortable or problematic. At least for me.

Valvey · June 9th, 2008, 04:53 PM

Thanks for all those suggestions. So far I'm most happy with this Planet Wave Bass Strap. It's 3 in. wide, nylon mesh that doesn't slip on the shoulder, padded inside with some kind of firm neoprene type material. Only $20.

bender-freak · June 9th, 2008, 05:29 PM

i agree with the 3" wide, minimum 2 1/2", leather and a non-slick surface against the shoulder....i make my own straps out of stuff from Tandy Leather Supply, do lacing around the sides, add conchos, etc.....have made quite a few of them....never sold one to anyone but i figger about $35-40 dollars in materials alone for the fanciest one i ever made...they are completely hand made and no two alike....they ain't El Dorado machine/stamped tooled style....but for me, since i start from just a piece of leather and go where my twisted mind may take me at the time with the design, they have a little more "personality"...plus, it gives me sumthin' to do for a week or so....just about time to do another one......

Silverface · June 18th, 2008, 10:30 AM

I have not seen one like mine in years. It's 3 1/4" wide, has the usual adjustable leather slots/strap on one end and a leather part about 6" long at the upper-strap peg end, but the rest is a heavy woven black cotton. It does not slip at all and is FAR more comfortable than even the softest leather straps. It has "Silver Eagle" embossed on the leather, and no designs of any kind. I'd love to find a source for them; I've had this one at least 20 years.

BrianF · June 18th, 2008, 11:16 AM

I have one of these and it works really well
http://www.franklinstrap.com/natural...-stitching.htm
It was a bit long so I cut some extra adjustment slots into it and now is perfect.

The Bestron · June 25th, 2008, 03:46 PM

I find the wider straps are more comfortable, especially since a B-Bender is generally heavier than a normal tele, the wider strap distributes the weight over your shoulder so it's easier and more comfortable ;)

I also have a planet waves bass strap and another one from a German on-line store that does the trick ;)

Rick Towne · June 25th, 2008, 10:46 PM

About .5" wide, with felt backed pad on both the Glaser and Parsons guitars. I've had my main one since 1994; the padding long ago wore off. Much easier to manage than the wider ones. I also have a Gene Parsons "Stringbender" strap for historical reasons.

March 29th, 2008, 05:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Valvey Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: morgantown wv Posts: 127	What strap is good for B-bending? I just got a Telecaster Nashville B-Bender and my old strap broke in the first session. Obviously there are more demands on a strap for this sort of thing in terms on comfort,strength and adjustability. I was wondering which strap you guys recommend.

March 29th, 2008, 10:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
hotraman Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 220	I was watching one of my B bender instructional videos. The guy said the same thing. Avoid the smooth & slick straps. I have a leather with a felt design. I can play my bender standing or sitting. __________________ www.stevehotra.com

June 9th, 2008, 05:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
bender-freak Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: springfield, missouri Posts: 1,231	i agree with the 3" wide, minimum 2 1/2", leather and a non-slick surface against the shoulder....i make my own straps out of stuff from Tandy Leather Supply, do lacing around the sides, add conchos, etc.....have made quite a few of them....never sold one to anyone but i figger about $35-40 dollars in materials alone for the fanciest one i ever made...they are completely hand made and no two alike....they ain't El Dorado machine/stamped tooled style....but for me, since i start from just a piece of leather and go where my twisted mind may take me at the time with the design, they have a little more "personality"...plus, it gives me sumthin' to do for a week or so....just about time to do another one...... __________________ bender-freak

June 18th, 2008, 10:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
Silverface Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hermosa Beach CA Age: 56 Posts: 1,865	I have not seen one like mine in years. It's 3 1/4" wide, has the usual adjustable leather slots/strap on one end and a leather part about 6" long at the upper-strap peg end, but the rest is a heavy woven black cotton. It does not slip at all and is FAR more comfortable than even the softest leather straps. It has "Silver Eagle" embossed on the leather, and no designs of any kind. I'd love to find a source for them; I've had this one at least 20 years. __________________ “No Chops – Great Tone” ©

June 25th, 2008, 03:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
The Bestron TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 40	I find the wider straps are more comfortable, especially since a B-Bender is generally heavier than a normal tele, the wider strap distributes the weight over your shoulder so it's easier and more comfortable ;) I also have a planet waves bass strap and another one from a German on-line store that does the trick ;) __________________ When I think of all the good times that I've wasted, having good times

March 29th, 2008, 09:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,113 7 Photos	A wide (2 to 3 inches) soft leather strap works great. The strap should not have a slick surface in contact with your shoulder otherwise it will slip all over. Levi's and Franklin make good straps that fit the bill for a b bender.

March 31st, 2008, 09:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
sunskippers NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Hauptwil, Switzerland Age: 35 Posts: 7	I use always levy's stap padded leather pm or mss series. They feel and played very fine

April 1st, 2008, 08:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
1charger69 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Latrobe Pa Age: 35 Posts: 106	i got one custom made by a good buddy of mine.. hes on here alot too...(wvmatt.)..one hell of leather craftsman. the strap is like wearing nothing at all..its that comfortable! - he made Brad Pasileys "Brad" strap as well as several others for him and for other big name stars as well - he even does leather covers and pickguards too

June 9th, 2008, 04:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
Valvey Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: morgantown wv Posts: 127	Thanks for all those suggestions. So far I'm most happy with this Planet Wave Bass Strap. It's 3 in. wide, nylon mesh that doesn't slip on the shoulder, padded inside with some kind of firm neoprene type material. Only $20.

June 18th, 2008, 11:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,113 7 Photos	I have one of these and it works really well http://www.franklinstrap.com/natural...-stitching.htm It was a bit long so I cut some extra adjustment slots into it and now is perfect.

June 25th, 2008, 10:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rick Towne Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 809	Vintage Fender black About .5" wide, with felt backed pad on both the Glaser and Parsons guitars. I've had my main one since 1994; the padding long ago wore off. Much easier to manage than the wider ones. I also have a Gene Parsons "Stringbender" strap for historical reasons.