Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've found it's an age thing... when I was younger and more aggressive in my playing, I played with my bass or guitar slung pretty low ... but as I got more into nuance and less into distortion my straps have started creeping up about an average of a 1/2 inch a year .....

Mine has stayed pretty consistent over the years, with the neck right about waist level. If I get careless, the buckle rash shows up right behind the neck's heel.

I've always figured the best strap length was one that put the instrument where it is most comfortable for the person playing it. If the position is purely to "look cool" you're probably going to regret it one day.

With the carpal tunnel issues I've had over the years, I've always tried to position things so that I've got the least amount of bend in my wrists:

I prefer the "Beatle position", too.

These guys played eight hours a day during that Hamburg period. And they knew why they preferred to look a bit strange: the playing comfort is unbeatable!

Yes indeed, it looks a bit idiotic, but to stick some brass stuff in the face and to fluff like a frog looks more idiotic, IMHO.

Compare:

Hotzenplotz wrote:download/file.php?id=40150

Zicke, zacke, zicke, zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi!!!

Off topic: I thought this is the stereotype people have in mind when they think of Germany.
Notice: that is Bavaria. Germany and Bavaria is like Brits and Scots.

Oh, BTW Scots: This shows even much better what I meant. (Phew, back to topic!)

I offer my humble apologies for my part in derailing this thread.

Quasimodo-low=bad; Pete Quaife high=good.

With my Gretsch Jets, the guitar is slung really low; with the Ricks, I tend to go through stages between lower and higher, but I don't think I ever sling any of my Ricks as low as the Gretsches, just due to the body shape. When lower, I usually tilt the neck up and have the body lower.

When playing Smiths-y Johnny Marr riffs on the 12 string, it's def easier to play higher, I think.

yeah- I did a 2 hour set last night jacked up- so much easier on my left hand, and no dead notes!