Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The buckle is on the end that goes to the bottom strap pin, and is usually out of the way of the guitar or bass. If you fear scratches, wrap some vinyl electrical tape around the buckle.

Be sure to remove the strap and store it separately, though--the vinyl tape will mar the finish if it is kept in contact for weeks at a time.

I use a strap made from string type roper cinch (the thing that goes under the horse's belly to hold the saddle on) like this: It's really comfortable over the shoulder since it spreads the weight so well. I just added leather ends from a "normal" guitar strap to the ends. Yeah, it's got big metal buckles, but they are quite a ways from the bass so the won't hit it.

Of course, depending on your location/style, this sort of strap might not fit in. Out here in the Wild West, it fits in just fine...

I have a couple of RIC straps; one has Schaller strap locks on it, so I do use it occasionally with instruments with Schaller strap lock buttons . For playing out, I use a Planet Waves Planet Lock locking strap on my 460 BG (vintage style strap bolts) and a wide leather strap (brand unknown) with Schaller strap locks for my 370/12RM FG (Schaller strap lock bolts).

IMO, comfort and sense of security are personal criteria for using any strap.

This is my favourite style, since about 1971, for all my instruments.



I find some guitars look great with the vintage-style strap.

Kira, I have two similar to yours; one for my banjo and the other for a guitar. The adjustment method is the same. The stamping on the guitar strap is quite faded, and I can barely make out the maker's mark. I think it says "Pick Pocket" then on the next line "Silver Eagle Designs" and last "Minstrel Guitar Strap." I must have had this particular strap for over 25 years. A Google search netted me nothing. It's a great strap, and won't slip off my Rick.

JimK

I've found that basic design from a few makers. I'm not fussy about which one, but just I like the lightness and simplicity, the softness and the skinny adjustment strap at the end. Never had one let go of an instrument either. I have one from the seventies that's airbrushed with a sort of desert theme. Remember airbrushed guitar straps?

Plus I like for every guitar to have its own special strap. It's fun to find the right one for each guitar.

sloop_john_b wrote:I've got two or three Rickenbacker straps and several more of the same style; I dig 'em. They were a little stiff when I got them, I think I put them in the dryer to soften them up a bit.

ok, thats not a bad idea...Thanks

paul_yan wrote:A Rickenbacker strap? Yeah I have one and I use it!
Not on my Rickenbacker instruments, though!

Awesome...I have been looking for a cool strap for my Pentax SLR.

ricnbacker wrote:

paul_yan wrote:A Rickenbacker strap? Yeah I have one and I use it!
Not on my Rickenbacker instruments, though!

Awesome...I have been looking for a cool strap for my Pentax SLR.

It only works on film cameras; re: Pentax, Spotmatics and K1000s only (well, we'll let the LX in ).

Oh well, shoot....[pun intended] I guess I need to get one of those units for my Olympus OM10 then, eh?

JimK

The Rick strap is the perfect complement to any OM series camera.

I've played 100s of gigs with this strap made from my Dad's WWII Army belt and some rawhide.

It's seen some rugged duty . . .

Try an Italia (Not Italian) leather strap. They post on Ebay regularly, sorry I don't have another way to contact them. They make handmade straps in Ca and for 40 bucks, you can have something that looks good, is comfortable, and doesn't break the bank. I ditched my other straps when I had to consider putting my beloved 75 FG 4001 down due to shoulder pain after almost 25 years. Changing to an Italia strap made all the difference as they are very thick but soft and supple so the strap doesn't cut with the weight of a 9lb bass after 2 hours.

Forgot abou the link. Here its is:
http://www.italiastraps.com/

The simplest, lightest designs work the best for me. I tried some beautiful, cushy, load-bearing straps that fatigued me of their own weight like a horse collar. Every ounce counts when my back starts to get tired!