Guitar Belt Survey *30 second survey*

shamone1990

Hi
I am a student in Product design in D.I.T, just posting a survey on guitar straps because have an idea for a guitar strap which holders your guitar off your belt and not your shoulders. Survey takes less then 30 seconds and would be very much appreciated.
cheers

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/428742/Guiatr-Belt-Strapless-Guitar

Malice

shamone1990 wrote: »

have an idea for a guitar strap which holders your guitar off your belt

Considering the weight of your average guitar and the effects of gravity I'm curious how such a thing is even possible. If the guitar isn't hanging off your shoulder are you going to be supporting the weight more with your arms? If so wouldn't that restrict the player's ability to actually play?

NoQuarter

Ill do it but maybe im stupid but why do some questions have horizontal columns too?? i cant figure that out at all!??

shamone1990

The idea is to mount the guitar off your belt using a plunger similiar to the ones used in glass manufacturing but smaller, ive made a prototype the plunger holds well just balance of the guitar is main issue so far falling backward and forward.


I dont know why the columns come up on the side tried changing them but doesnt seem to work.

Owen

My pants fall down when I'm walking, if I'd a guitar hanging off them, I'd better be wearing clean boxers that day!

bad2dabone

No offense but its a crazy idea. Crazy terrible.

SouthTippBass

Your survey is a little confusing, horizontal columns? Anyways, I did it. Your nuts if you think I'm gonna trust my bass to a plunger. I'm always open to trying something new, but the guitar strap idea is working pretty well already. What advantages would your idea bring to the table? Just curious...

JimiM

I think zz top done something similar. Might not be the plunger idea but good all the same.
This guy seems to have coppied it.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FMi_pQn_cs

-Chris-

I think you need to do your own survey, it's very confusing. I've done it for you, but I don't know if I answered the questions correctly.
You ask about a double strap ergonomic strap, I've never seen one of these in my life. Is it really that important to help you design/research your idea?

As for the idea, how will you keep the balance of the guitar? If I had the guitar in a high playing position, how would I stop it falling forward? How would I adjust the height? Would I be able to chance guitars quickly (e.g. if I had a broken string on stage)?

William_Hicley

-Chris- wrote: »

I think you need to do your own survey, it's very confusing. I've done it for you, but I don't know if I answered the questions correctly.
You ask about a double strap ergonomic strap, I've never seen one of these in my life. Is it really that important to help you design/research your idea?
QUOTE]

I think this is what he means, but no, I'v never seen anybody use one in real life...

http://www.thomann.de/ie/planet_waves_50dare000_gitarrengurt.htm

Have you any pics of this proto-type? Might give us a better idea of what you mean...

-Chris-

God, that looks horribly uncomfortable.

artvandulet

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&hash=item483d76cd5c&item=310268841308&nma=true&pt=Guitar_Accessories&rt=nc&si=gGhxh3TtC3Fr6Uqw9g69QwdXeTA%253D#ht_5600wt_932

Similar idea OP. It didnt take off, clearly. But maybe thats because you needed to modify your guitar. Best of luck with it all the same.

ZZ Top used a product called Spinz but I cant find much info.

ham_n_mustard

what if you wear your bass/guitar above the line of your belt?
as above, the survey isnt laid out very well. hope i filled it in correctly

Staecows

Hi Shamone1990,

Back in 2002 I made a guitar belt so that I could play while I had a neck/back injury - it was different to your design in the sense that it used a dedicated belt (of similar spec to a guitar strap) with belt loops, through which any standard guitar strap could be fitted. This was perfect for me at the time as without it I couldn't have played. But like another poster said, it leaves the guitar hanging very low so it wouldn't suit many players. If there was a way of using a guitar belt with the guitar hanging at a more natural height that would be great but I don't know how that would be possible. The one thing I would say is that, playability aside, the belt system is by far the most comfortable way to hold a guitar...

-S

raindog.promo

Steve Albini wraps his guitar strap around his waist as you can see in this none-too-flattering shot.



There's some discussion about it in intrerviews
here and here.

RC88

can't imagine it would suit many people,maybe punk guitarists, some might agree with a plunger on a belt but i could'nt, several issues would come to mind such as the guitar coming loose and to put it simply "bye bye guitar"
i would also think it would make it harder to angle and grip
also some people like to hang their guitar above waist and some even on their chest (E.G simon neill of biffy clyro or tom morello)

still a nice idea and i hope i don't put you off doing it but can't see it catching on

rcaz

I did the survey, but I think the idea is really impractical...

If it ain't broke...

Staecows

Raindog - Steve Albini's method looks like a straightforward solution all right. I've never tried it that way (just using a strap wrapped around your waist one and a half times). Since I've never tried it, this is an untested comment but wouldn't the weight of the guitar pull on the ends of the strap thereby tightening it around your waist over the course of the gig or practice session? If you use a separate belt then this can't happen. As I said, I've never tried it I don't know if it would be a problem it just seems like it could be. If Albini uses it like that all the time then maybe it's not that big a deal.

Owen

Plus, if you've any bit of a belly, it's going to be really unflattering!

-Chris-

Any decent belly would probably make the guitar completely unplayable!

Owen

Sure I'd give it a go anyway!!

Des Claypool

just use the same belt hook as the chapman stick, i wouldn't trust a plunger cause its all dependant on the surface its sticking too as to weather it'l make a good seal. sorry dude

groovemerchant7

Shouldnt you ask more detailed questions like where there is strain, where you wear your guitar, do you play guitar or bass, weight of your instrument, What material is your strap made from, does it slip off whilst playing, how much did you spend on it. These are basic things that spring to mind about the subject.

What are you trying to achieve with your design? Is it to reduce shoulder/back problems problem or is it just a novelty idea. If it is the first one you may have something, if is just a novelty idea it won't work I think. I cant imagine going on stage and fiddling with my belt to put, on my guitar. Is that Rock N Roll? Plus whart if I dont wear a belt. What if you are like Flea and want to go on stage with just a sock on your c**k!

I play a 5 string fender bass which weighs a ton. This fact alone does causes shoulder and back problems. Most pro bass players don't wear the bass low as this can lead to serious injuries such as tendonitis. When the guitar is held to low the 'plucking' hand goes into a bent position which is not good and will lead to strain. The bass around the knees job is another absolutley terrible position. Take that that bass player from New Order who wears his bass around his knees. He now has all crushed vertebrae in his neck.
Most neck/back problems are a result of bad posture in my experience. Its often from practicing with with a bad posture for hours on end, day after day. A good way is to practice with a mirror and check out if your posture whilst playing. I believe if you are in pain or under strain whilst playing, you need to seriously address the issue before, you cant play at all.
I'm sure you are interested in feedback from musicians so, I hope this helps you to come up with something that is innovative and that works!

Crasp

Bad idea imo!


I think anyone who has played a Gibson SG will know.... The position of the left hand strap bolt is all wrong, the guitar falls head first to the ground when you take your had off the fretboard. And you do find yourself holding the guitar while playing, very annoying.


A strat in contrast is suspended end from end and is thus perfectly balanced.


Also, I wear my pants a lot lower than I hold my guitar!! What are the ergonomics invloved? my belt buckle is almost below my guitar body...