strap hike

[Moped10]

I've noticed something with my playing of the 360/12, and was curious if this is a shared symptom- I've always played my Gretsch toward the lower side
But to play the Rick and hit a greater % of ALL the strings I'm trying to hit, I've realized my strap now is hiked up to where my belt is at the bottom border of the body- not crazy high, but significantly higher than it's always been- Am I alone here? I guess my rock and roll look is now compromised, haha!

[Tommy]

I play my Rics higher up, too.
Is it a subconscious Beatle thing going? Maybe with me. I also play my Casino pretty high up, too.

[jdogric12]

Nothing personal but I've always thought the low slung guitar look was ridiculous. Hike it up!

[electrofaro]

Nothing personal but I've always thought the low slung guitar look was ridiculous.

+1 or as my turkish friend says: it's just "pose"

[badeggs]

Nothing personal but I've always thought the low slung guitar look was ridiculous. Hike it up!

Couldn't disagree more.

And nothing is dorkier than a bassist holding the thing against their sternum. Comfortable or not, you look stupid.

[cassius987]

I'd have to see a pic of you with the Ric but the Gretsch is slung too low--look at the bend in your wrist in your left hand. That's no good! But people who play with the guitar sitting really high have an equal amount of problems with the right wrist (other way 'round if you're lefty, I know I know). You want both wrists to have a little bend, but nothing approaching 90 degrees. I would say bring your Gretsch up a bit, not sure whether your Ric may need to come down. Some guitars do lend themselves to being hung high or low because their ergonomics are a bit different. Neck dive is a factor here because if the guitar rests at a pretty big angle, 30 degrees or more, on your body you can sling it pretty low and still get a good angle on both wrists. If it dives a lot you have to wear it higher to save your left wrist but it makes your right a bit worse off.

FWIW, I put ultralite tuners on a lot of my instruments. This is actually to fix dead spots but the improvement in neck dive is also a huge plus.

[sloop_john_b]

FWIW, I put ultralite tuners on a lot of my instruments. This is actually to fix dead spots but the improvement in neck dive is also a huge plus.

A BIG +1 to that. I love them.

[Rickissippi]

The choice is wear it low to look cool and compromise your playing, or wear it higher and play better.

[jdawe]

I play my Rickenbackers somewhere in between -- higher than you have your Gretsch in the photo, but not so high that the bottom of the body is at belt level. I like my 620s with the curve of the top of the body about an inch below the bottom of my ribcage.

[Moped10]

maybe I'll go mid-Rick=mid-belt and hope the gals still come to see us
nothing worse than playing a sausage party (kidding- I forget I'm new here and yall might not recognize my sense of humor)

[jps]

maybe I'll go mid-Rick=mid-belt...

Watch out for that buckle rash!

Hope this helps.

[JakeK]

I usually like to have my strap set somewhere in between Beatle-high and metal-low

[jimk]

That actually looks pretty practical, Jake. I play both my Gretsch and my Rick at approximately the same height as you. I'm not so concerned about looks as much as I am about optimum technique, and avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome.
JimK

[electrofaro]

Judging by those pictures I have my guitar quite low then? I must be a poser!

[Moped10]

Hiked it up to where yours is Jake for rehearsal last night- Melted faces!! But seriously, the songs I struggled with previously were much easier- I'll just buy some red leather pants to make up for the loss of cool factor!