Guitar Strap Length - Guitarists getting fatter?

kevin65

Bought a new Fender guitar strap today, and it seemed to be alot longer than the Fender straps I have at home. The existing ones are at least 15 years old, so I guess styles do change. When I got home I did a comparison and the new strap is waaay longer than the old ones. If I were to extend the new strap to its full length, the guitar would be at my ankles!

Are guitarists bigger now than in years one by?

-=al=-

tele belly strikes again

rcaz

-=al=- wrote: »

tele belly strikes again

3/4 size Strat right? :pac:

-=al=-

Looks it, or the obesity thing is really kicking off!

never noticed the strap thing myself, havn't gotten a strap in yonks!

for some reason that sounds wrong/dirty ^

kevin65

Maybe the new Fender straps are designed for the US market?

Rigsby

kevin65 wrote: »

If I were to extend the new strap to its full length, the guitar would be at my ankles!

Is n't that where a lot of people wear their guitar these days ? Looking "cool" is a must after all.

Dord

Maybe it's just to accomodate more people. If you're shorter you can adjust the strap length, if you're taller... usually there aren't any options for that.

I had to get some straps custom made to be long enough for me. I'm quite tall so regular "off the shelf" straps aren't much use.

**Vai**

Rigsby wrote: »

Is n't that where a lot of people wear their guitar these days ? Looking "cool" is a must after all.

Unless u have serious back problems by the time u hit 30 u havent been rocking hard enough

I blame Hetfield and his low slung explorer for ruining the spines of many of my generation!

Dublin Guitar

We have brought in extra long straps due to a lot of requests. Usually it's players over 6ft who want to wear the guitar a bit low

eoin5

I did notice fender straps are a good bit longer than standard ones. I don't think its the trend, just those ones in particular.

Gaspode

I bought a strap in New york a couple of years ago and it certainly is a lot longer than any others I have. But you know like many other things length isn't important, it's all about girth!

Personally I prefer a short strap, despite looking 'uncool' it keeps my back in one piece and my hands working longer. Been there done that with the low strung stuff and it aint worth it.

punchdrunk

my brother used to have to buy two straps and get the mammy to stitch them together,but then again...he worshiped this guy

Demeyes

I don't like playing with the guitar sitting too low, I normally have it up a nice bit. I was stuck using a friends bass lately and even on the highest setting the bass was too low. It was really annoying and I had to play it for 2 hours on stage like that, it was horrible.

Rigsby

punchdrunk wrote: »

my brother used to have to buy two straps and get the mammy to stitch them together,but then again...he worshiped this guy

I get pains in my wrists and back, just looking at this picture.

Demeyes wrote: »

I was stuck using a friends bass lately and even on the highest setting the bass was too low. It was really annoying and I had to play it for 2 hours on stage like that, it was horrible.

I agree. Apart from how it feels now, consider how someone playing this way is going to feel...and look.. in say twenty years time, when he is too old to be "cool", and now looks like the hunchback of Notre Dame, with arthritis and/or tendinitis in his fretting hand wrist.

What price "cool" !! ??

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

kevin65 wrote: »

Bought a new Fender guitar strap today, and it seemed to be alot longer than the Fender straps I have at home.

those fender straps are massive, ive 2 of them. Way bigger than the dunlop strap i have

comesatime

Demeyes wrote: »

I don't like playing with the guitar sitting too low, I normally have it up a nice bit. I was stuck using a friends bass lately and even on the highest setting the bass was too low. It was really annoying and I had to play it for 2 hours on stage like that, it was horrible.

From some experience of classical guitar (as well as jazz and rock) I like the guitar to be at the same level whether I'm seated or standing. This invariably means that I wear it "high" when standing - and it's comfortable ( I play in a wedding band so I'd often be on stage for up to 3 hrs at a time)
I'm fairly thin, too so when anyone comes up to play - they can't get the strap round their shoulders.
Guitar position is critical - if you're used to it low, you can't play properly when the strap is high, and vice versa.
I'm gone to the stage that when I go to the local blues club and maybe get asked up ..I'll bring my own strap as I can't play properly with a low hanging guitar and many players have custom unadjustable straps.