Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Folks,

I am a bit slow, I know, yet I cannot understand how to shorten the ric strap. Mine is one w/"rickenbacker" stamped into the leather. Perhaps some of you may have added extra holes to shorten?

Thoughts? Chris

FWIW, I'd add an extra hole, or two. Maybe I should get one of these someday.
JimK

If needed, you can also remove the short section that is buckled onto the long section, and then enlarge the last hole on the long section to fit on the guitar strap button. I've done that on mine so I can rest the bass on top of the "front porch" rather than have it dive underneath where I can't see what I'm doing.

Looks like you've got the former version of the Ric strap. The current version looks the same (shoulder pad w/"RICKENBACKER" ala the '60 No-Mishap straps), but has a buckle and is fully adjustable.
I never understood the '80s straps (which is what the one in the first post looks like), they always have the extra part flapping around. Current style is aces. Available in black, maroon and tan.

Ok, thanks for all the input. I've been in the basement pounding away w/the mallet and hole puncher. Now I'm determined to make this work!

Chris

kennyhowes wrote:Looks like you've got the former version of the Ric strap. The current version looks the same (shoulder pad w/"RICKENBACKER" ala the '60 No-Mishap straps), but has a buckle and is fully adjustable.

97102.jpg

I never understood the '80s straps (which is what the one in the first post looks like), they always have the extra part flapping around. Current style is aces. Available in black, maroon and tan.

I have one of these newer straps and I punched a hole further up for the buckle. I guess I like my guitar up high and tight.

Has anyone noticed the higher the guitar or bass is, the easier it is on the wrist? I have been playing with my bass way high for about 15 years now. When I first started, I remember I used to play with the strings at the belt line. That I think had a devastating effect on my wrists. Anyone else?

I think George, John, and especially Gerry Marsden, were on to something. I've always played with my guitar up high (not a choker like Gerry's, though...). It's just more natural, due to the stressed feeling I get bending my wrist just to hold it in picking position, even before I pick. And every one of my straps has extra holes for that reason.

DBR wrote:Has anyone noticed the higher the guitar or bass is, the easier it is on the wrist? I have been playing with my bass way high for about 15 years now. When I first started, I remember I used to play with the strings at the belt line. That I think had a devastating effect on my wrists. Anyone else?

Yes. I just shortened my strap and noticed it again. I knew this but was too lazy to shorten - I may move another hole again too.

johnallg wrote:

DBR wrote:Has anyone noticed the higher the guitar or bass is, the easier it is on the wrist? I have been playing with my bass way high for about 15 years now. When I first started, I remember I used to play with the strings at the belt line. That I think had a devastating effect on my wrists. Anyone else?

Yes. I just shortened my strap and noticed it again. I knew this but was too lazy to shorten - I may move another hole again too.

I always thought that something didn't look quite right about playing guitar with the strap so long that the guitar was around your knees, (if I may exaggerate a little bit).
JimK

I use a drill to make holes in straps. Makes it very easy. Big bit for strap hole, then a Razor to ad the cut above the hole. Just added an extra hole to my Vox Python Strap.

I have two holes on each strap end. I tuck then into one another. Kind of gives it some strength and I don't think I have ever experienced my bass becoming unstrapped and falling to the ground like it did during one gig where I had kind of a a funky strap with one hole on each side. The strap came loose in the middle of the tune. it was a good thing it was in the same key as I caught it in...then I played it like a standup until the tune was over. Strange but true. This incident happened in Scotts Valley, California.