4000 Series Bass straps

rollingricker21 · Post by **rollingricker21** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:49 pm

What specific straps does everyone here use for their Rick bass?

If you can recommend any that would be much appreciated!

Thanks

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:07 pm

I use a 4" from Italia in Calif. - the Acorn/Med. Brown:

http://www.italiastraps.com/ss_cognac4.html

It was a gift from the kids - 3" would probably be a better width. Very nice quality.

rollingricker21 · Post by **rollingricker21** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:15 pm

Very nice! Thanks for the reply.

I do think leather is the way to go for a new strap, though i'm not sure about this 'clip in' strap business.

From what I understand you have to actually replace the screws on the guitar and put these clip on ones in. I think I want/need clip in, my current strap rarely slips and down the guitar goes, and I cant let that happen to a Rick.

hieronymous · Post by **hieronymous** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:26 pm

I just use a regular suede Levy's strap with my 4001 - I also discovered the extra-wide ones for the heavier instruments.

click on basic, then suede leather

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:52 am

I'll second the Levy's endorsement....I've tried all types and now use them exclusively with Schaller strap locks, modern ricks already have the Schaller button.
The Schaller strap button is also retrofittable to older ricks, you just have to use the proprietary rick ones with the 10/24 thread pitch.

rollingricker21 · Post by **rollingricker21** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 4:47 am

Levy seems the upper class expensive strap, I found this which looks good to me, but the price is a tad too high I think.

Would a 2006 4003 bass have the locks on it?

elysrand · Post by **elysrand** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 4:59 am

I have to admit (embarrassed, looking down at floor in shame) that I still have all the old hippie straps I bought in 1968

They are really thick top-grain cowhide, 3.5 inches, mostly black and natural brown and a couple of tan ones, with beadwork and little short fringe up and down the edges, and hand-tooling down the center like those really fancy boots.

They were all made by a real acid-head from La Honda in the SF Bay area who was living down the street from the Jefferson Airplane house in the Haight, and I have never seen ones like it ever since.

Now I just look like an aging hippie (with lots less hair now) on-stage playing Ricks with funny-looking straps when our little band gets together to cover YES and Led Zeppelin stuff. Time to get new straps now, I suppose

thinneckrick · Post by **thinneckrick** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:24 am

A three inch wide black strap with metal studs pounded in it from my KISS tribute band days lol

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:50 am

Mine are all Levy's leather. I have one on each bass & a Fender nylon adjustable for my guitars.
The bass straps are each installed with a washer under the strap bolt so they can't come off by accident.
I've seen some guitars (usually the sound guy/backup singer's: he's pretty absent minded!) fall to the floor & it's a sobering moment. No serious damage, just nicks & scratches, but why take a chance?

I bought a really wide strap to support my 4080, but it digs into my neck too much at that angle, so I use it to combat the neck dive on my 4000. Works great for that.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 6:48 am

I use a plain, black Levy's like this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Levys-Boot-Leather-Guitar-Strap?sku=360548

Its nice and thick, padded and durable. I think its one of the best ones out there. But the bass is still kinda heavy for my small back. I also like the Schaller strap locks and have been using them since around 1982.

One time when I was 15 my band (of older guys) was playing a gig at a frat house in Madison WI. My bass decided to come off of its strap halfway through "Twist and Shout!" I managed to catch the bass before it fell to the floor but had to sit down on the floor to finish the song. It was embarrassing, but a learning experience. And it hasn't happened since I've been using the Schallers.

zoomduck · Post by **zoomduck** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:39 am

I use a " Comfort Strap " because they are.......comfortable.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:17 am

A few weeks ago someone posted here about a funky-looking guitar strap that went over both shoulders, thus distributing the guitar's weight evenly over both.

Can anyone post the link to it again?

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:18 am

I posted one of those, but I don't remember the link, let me look for it.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:11 am

Cool. Thanks!

rollingricker21 · Post by **rollingricker21** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 3:44 pm

I have found a Levys bass strap for $105 AUS, its white, which will suit a jetglow 4003.

Though.. too much money?! Just for a strap! Its certainly a lot.

And does anyone have a white strap? Because I can see the thing getting very dirty and discoloring. Just wondering if you can clean the thing :S