Guitar Straps: RIC and others

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:57 am

I just got my Rickenbacker tan strap to go with my 350v63 Mapleglo and it looks great. The strap is made from thick high quality leather and I'm sure will last a lifetime.

BUT.... the new strap was way too long. Even at the highest hole the guitar was still way too low (I'm 5'11). No biggie, I just drilled a few more holes and then cut off the last 8 inches or so of the strap (7 holes worth) and I'm good to go.

Just a heads up to RIC if they're listening: great quality strap but it's original length is made for the Jolly Green Giant.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:49 am

Yes, I agree completely. I got a red one and it was so long it is unuseable. I haven't fixed it yet, but it has turned me off of the RIC straps, because why should I have to "fix" a brand new strap to make it useable? Besides, I think the wider flat straps are more comfortable anyway. I have a couple Gibson ones like that, but it would be really nice if Rickenbacker offered one with a company loco or name on it like those. It would probably be cheaper too.

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:01 am

I am 6'2 and had to add another hole to mine. I didn't think it was a big deal though.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:53 pm

I removed the extension and "buckle," then cut a new hole on the main piece to make it fit my "overbelly" position.

lennon211 · Post by **lennon211** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:55 pm

I've had to modify most vintage-style straps that I buy with few exceptions. Most of the time, I just punch a couple of new holes and then loop the extra length back up through the buckle.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:43 pm

John Lennon's original 1964 Vox Python Guitar strap recently sold for almost $15,000 at auction.

New ones usually sell for $120 but can be had for $100 at Northcoast:
http://www.voxshowroom.com/northcoast/vox/vox_products/misc.html

I've never liked the Vox Python strap myself... too flashy.

lennon211 · Post by **lennon211** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:52 pm

I love my Python strap...the only problem is that you can only use it with guitars that have their buttons on the upper horn, like Rics, Fenders, etc. Anything with a button on the back of the guitar is off limits.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:08 pm

Yes, I'm 6'0" and the high position is about as low as I like to play...so I guess I'll be punching a new one, too. Wonder how Pete Quaife managed the trick?

Still, nothing compliments a '72 Burgundyglo 4001 like a maroon Rickenbacker strap. Even if they ain't the most comfortable strap in the world.

lyle_from_minneapolis · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:10 pm

...I mean, complements...

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:31 pm

For the longest time I wondered why Pauly tied his strap onto the violin bass in such a sloppy looking way. Then I found out the truth. Now I wonder why Hofner came up with such a sloppy looking design.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 5:00 am

McCartney's strap was a bit of invention, a strap probably made for an acoustic guitar without strap buttons. If you think the neck end attachment was jurry-rigged, the body butt end was attached to the tailpiece with a dog-lead (leash) clip! Imagine what that would do to the finish!

captsandwich · Post by **captsandwich** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 5:18 am

One time on a night off during a tour, about 70% of the band ended up at a blues bar with an open stage and really cheap beer. We got up to play a few tunes, using the house bands gear. The guy had a strap duct taped to his strat and he played almost as low as I did. Problem was, he was at least 6'2" and I am only 5'7". Plus, one of the band members who was not with us was our lead singer, so I had to do vocals while playing around my knees. Thank god for my punk rock roots, where we used to tie things (ie: bandanas, bits of other straps, chains etc) to our straps to make them longer!