If your right thumb is sore, it's because you're trying to lift the horn with it. Tighten the neck strap, instead. Type of strap doesn't matter, it's the position that matters for this issue.

 

Just Joes are the very best

 

I use the Protech.

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The cross piece works quite well in redistributing the weight. I always stand to play, and weight has become more noticeable.

 

Just Joe's straps are so good that you don't need to try one out.
BEST. STRAPS. EVER.

 

So OP is from Singapore, right? I believe that Thomman music also sell the Just Joe neck strap for a good price and the shipping is inexpensive. They have a extremely good return policy per my experience.

Kölbl Just Joe's Saxophone Strap – Thomann United States (thomannmusic.com)

As turf3 mentioned earlier, the thumb sore mostly comes from your position, as you try to lift up the horn using your thumb.

 

I have and use both the Protec and a Just Joes. They're both great, I do like the comfort bar on the Protec, but prefer the finishing on the just joes, the build quality seems more custom. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Regarding the sore thumb, as someone else mentioned raise the neck strap. If your thumb hook is adjustable you can try changing the angle...Cheers

 

I’m digging my Brancher Crescent I got on @JoAnnPeeler ’s recommendation. Distributes the weight closer to the shoulders than most, looks very classy and keeps its adjustment very well. Hook is very sturdy and safe.

 

Just joes ...love mine. Most comfortable Ive tried.

 

My old Rico neck strap is getting worn out and I'm looking to get a new one. Just Joe's seems to be a top recommendation around here but I'm not able to try that out where I'm from, so I'm currently looking at a BG Zen or the Protec one with the comfort bar. Does anyone have any experiences with these straps?

I don't have too much concerns about the weight directly on my neck, but rather I find that my right thumb gets extremely strained after playing for some time my tenor. If a certain strap might somehow help in this regard, would love to hear about it!

+1 for Just Joe’s - a great strap, and a great guy to deal with.

 

Amen to that!

 

+4 for Just Joe’s. I used to have a dedicated strap for each horn (sop, alto, and two tenors).

Regarding your thumb issue: The strap supports the mass of the horn. Your thumb should be pushing rather than lifting.

 

Just Joe's! they are really great.

 

My old Rico neck strap is getting worn out and I'm looking to get a new one. Just Joe's seems to be a top recommendation around here but I'm not able to try that out where I'm from, so I'm currently looking at a BG Zen or the Protec one with the comfort bar. Does anyone have any experiences with these straps?

I don't have too much concerns about the weight directly on my neck, but rather I find that my right thumb gets extremely strained after playing for some time my tenor. If a certain strap might somehow help in this regard, would love to hear about it!

Not trying to start a war or anything, I personally love the Saxholder by Jazzlab. Works for all saxes, takes all the weight off next, gives me the most comfortable playing position, and most importantly - allows me to forget about everything else and focus on the music.

 

I personally love the Saxholder by Jazzlab

Oops posted before seeing this. Let the fiery discussions begin. 🔥

 

Can't speak about the straps you mention, I like my Jazzlab strap even if its not the most practical to transport.

Regarding thumb pain issues. There's another possibility that others haven't mentioned:

Are you "double jointed"? If so, make sure you don't bend the thumb backwards when pushing the horn. This can cause pain.

I've had thumb pain issues from this. Warming up my thumb joints at the beginning of practice and making sure the thumb is always curved like a "C" (instead of at a 90+ degree angle) when pushing the horn has helped.

 

The Kolbl Joe Joe straps are nice and so is the My Smooth Moose one... both of those are good and you can get them delivered from overseas... The My Smooth Moose is the same as the Roberto's strap but at half the price.

 

I really like these old school, simple leather straps from Wiseman in London. Quite cheap too.
Wiseman London | Leather Sling for Saxophone, Bassoon or Bass Clarinet

 

I really like these old school, simple leather straps from Wiseman in London. Quite cheap too.
Wiseman London | Leather Sling for Saxophone, Bassoon or Bass Clarinet

Yes! Best style of strap.

1) Doesn't choke you like the slider type, should you require a shorter strap than usual.
2) Adjustment is stable, every time you put it on the horn's in the same place.

Some years ago I went through a process of gradually raising my horn position for better posture. It would have been much more difficult to do this without a strap of fixed length. I just moved the buckle one hole at a time over some weeks till I got it up where it needed to be, and thus I adapted slowly.

This type also allow you to spread the strap a little wider across the shoulders (kind of like those spreader bars you see these days) because it doesn't have to come back together for a choker (oops, I mean adjustment slider), but rather the two sides only come together just above the hook.

 

When I use a neck strap, I'm using a Boston Sax Shop strap with the wide slider that keeps the strap from pinching around the neck. I liked the padding on the Just Joe's strap more, but I can't give up the wider spaced strap now. It's so nice not having anything pinching there.

Now Joe is selling his straps with a "wide enhance bar" for an extra $10. If I were buying another neck strap right now, that's what I'd do, but I don't think the difference is big enough for me to spend the $90 after spending $75 on the BSS one.

I've had some back issues in the last few years, so I've been exploring some alternative options. Most harnesses I've used seem to rub me weird somewhere or put the horn in an awkward position relative to my hands and face.

The jazzlab sax holder is very cool and is great for really getting the weight distributed, but I find it to be unstable when leaning over or twisting, like if I'm picking up some sheet music that fell on the floor or adjusting a music stand. It really feels like it could tip over and just fall off entirely. I've spent a fair amount of time getting it adjusted, but haven't been able to find a spot that is totally comfortable and quite as stable as I'd like. It's fine for playing at home where I'm consistently standing in one position, though.

For bari, I'm finding that the weight distribution of the sax holder makes the other drawbacks worth dealing with, but I've been back on the neck strap on tenor for the security and freedom of movement. The sax holder is also a bit of a contraption to have to bring around with you. No problem in a bari bell, though!

I just picked up a Balam premium "back strap" from another SOTW-er and it seems like it could be a good middle ground between the neck strap and the sax holder, but I've got to play with it some more.

 

Haven´t tried the Just Joe´s but the Cebulla (also sold by Thomann) is also very good, handmade and a bit cheaper. I use one with the wide height adjuster and it is very comfortable indeed!

/Saxray

 

Thanks for the inputs! Yup I’m aware that I am probably lifting the horn with my thumb more than I should. I’m slowly adjusting my hand position to put more weight on the neck strap, though this still feels odd to me (on a Conn tranny). Shortening the strap helps, but it gets tight around my neck, which is why I narrowed down to straps with a wide adjustment bar.

If I could find a Just Joe’s strap with a wide bar that ships internationally I’ll probably get it immediately😂 Will look into the suggested wide bar ones for now!

 

Thanks for the inputs! Yup I’m aware that I am probably lifting the horn with my thumb more than I should. I’m slowly adjusting my hand position to put more weight on the neck strap, though this still feels odd to me (on a Conn tranny). Shortening the strap helps, but it gets tight around my neck, which is why I narrowed down to straps with a wide adjustment bar.

If I could find a Just Joe’s strap with a wide bar that ships internationally I’ll probably get it immediately😂 Will look into the suggested wide bar ones for now!

Why don't you just get the one that goes all the way round, with a buckle? A link to Wiseman straps is seen above.

I am surprised by how resistant people are to this simple, reliable strap design.

And I can see it's really hard to find this kind of strap for sale. Everything has the choker slide, and then they stick pieces of metal in there to spread it apart. I'm guessing the choker style is cheaper to make, though it can't be much, and I see choker straps sold for $6.00 and choker straps sold for $100 that look functionally identical.

Worst case, buy one of the choker style with a neck band, take out the strap part, buy a piece of leather strap and a buckle, remake it as a belt type. Heck, you might even be able to find an actual belt of narrow width with the buckle already on.

 

I just used followinig neck strap

Just Joe
Boston Sax Shop - New Bury Street Strap
Forestone (Japanese brand)
Breathtaking (Japense brand)

In my opinion,I recommend Breathtaking one (https://www.breathtaking.jp/en/product/saxophone/) but it's most expensive than others I used. (approx USD220~250). It can stable the horn on your body and balance the weight on the shoulders (I just played the saxophone for 3~4 hours and there was no pain on my shoulders). They have retailer in Taiwan but I am not sure if they have retailer beside the Asia.

My second recommend is Just Joe one, no doubt, it's very comfortable and keep good quality.

 

I am still a huge fan of the Brancher Crescent neckstrap. I have two of them: one a normal length that I can use on any saxophone except for my bari and one is an XL which works for any horn. Easy to use. They are super comfortable, and you don't have to worry about fiddling with the security hook that comes on the Just Joe's. I suppose if you are a performer that moves around a lot the security clip would be a very fine thing to have, but I have always preferred the simplicity of an open hook and I have never come close to dropping a horn because it came off the hook. Grace Kelly also uses this neckstrap I've come to find out (although mine are probably older than her), but her father covers them in stylish fabric because, well, ... Grace is stylish. Originally, I ordered both of mine from France, but I see they are now sold on Amazon.

Amazon.com: BRANCHER CRESCENT L (LARGE) Woodwind accessories Saxophone straps & harness strap : Musical Instruments

 

I am still a huge fan of the Brancher Crescent neckstrap. I have two of them: one a normal length that I can use on any saxophone except for my bari and one is an XL which works for any horn. Easy to use. They are super comfortable, and you don't have to worry about fiddling with the security hook that comes on the Just Joe's. I suppose if you are a performer that moves around a lot the security clip would be a very fine thing to have, but I have always preferred the simplicity of an open hook…

Just Joe‘s Gel Straps are made to order: Select your preferred color/finish, strap length, slider, and hook. If you have complaints about the length or type of hook, it’s because you ordered the wrong ones.

 

I picked up playing saxophone again 3-4 years ago after a very long time without a horn. I noticed that my neck did not like the pressure created with the tenor and immediately started looking for alternatives. That's when I found the Balam Back Strap sold at BostonSaxShop.com. This thing takes all the weight off of your neck and places it very nicely on the shoulders. I don't even notice the weight of the horn anymore and can't recommend this product enough. It's a little pricy but for something that makes playing more enjoyable and gets used every day it's really not that bad.

 

I picked up playing saxophone again 3-4 years ago after a very long time without a horn. I noticed that my neck did not like the pressure created with the tenor and immediately started looking for alternatives. That's when I found the Balam Back Strap sold at BostonSaxShop.com. This thing takes all the weight off of your neck and places it very nicely on the shoulders. I don't even notice the weight of the horn anymore and can't recommend this product enough. It's a little pricy but for something that makes playing more enjoyable and gets used every day it's really not that bad.
View attachment 137396

I have one of those essentially unused because it never really fit. It looks nice if it works for you though.

 

Neotech on baritone, Brancher on the tenor and alto.

 

Neotech Classic regular suits me well for both alto and tenor.

 

I have both a Just Joe's and a Cebulla, and I prefer the Just Joe's. It's less bulky and more comfortable, and Joe's a great guy. Having said that, they're both really solid choices that hold up very well over the years. I've been using the Joe's on tenor for five years and the Cebulla on alto for about nine years.

Before I got the Cebulla, I used a Neotech strap, because that's what everyone used when I was in high school. I don't recommend them at all; they get soaked with sweat very easily, which makes them very unpleasant to use on a hot summer day, and they're not very comfortable at all in my experience. I also briefly used a Jazzlab Saxholder for some bari playing in grad school, and it's a very good alternative to a harness, but I wouldn't use it on alto or tenor personally.

I would never use an open hook. I used to in high school, and to make a long story short, I learned to not trust them the hard way. I'd rather not worry about that happening again.

 

I've long judged players by their neck straps.
The simpler, the better.