[Saxray]

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

 

[LYJ9494]

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!

 

[jascha26]

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.

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

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

 

[Giggaman]

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.

 

[Dr G]

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.

 

[lydian]

I am still a huge fan of the Brancher Crescent neckstrap. ... 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

View attachment 137395

Got mine a little cheaper at Weiner Music for $55.

 

[dexdex]

Neotech on baritone, Brancher on the tenor and alto.

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

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.

 

[Giggaman]

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

Did you try playing with the buckle at the back to change the distance between the leather pieces? Also, definitely bend the metal inside of the leather to match the contour of your shoulders and collar bone. It's made to be flexible in that way for a custom fit. I didn't find it comfortable out of the box either, but after the above mentioned alterations it is fantastic.

 

[rzzzzz]

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

 

[Homely Saxman]

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.

 

[Grumps]

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

 

[GeorgeR]

I bought a Just Joe's a year or so ago based on it's popularity here. I don't like it any more than the neck strap that came with my Yamaha Alto. I want to get more weight off of my neck and will probably switch to something like the Balam Back Strap in the future. But, the OP was concerned with the weight on his thumb, which I think is more related to the length of the strap, or to the pressure put on the thumb, rather than the strap style. I used to have my strap too loose, but shortening it so that the mouthpiece just glides into my mouth has really helped. When I first adjusted the strap this way it seemed strange. Now it seems like there is no other way.

 

[Ed Geddes]

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 on my tenor. If a certain strap might somehow help in this regard, would love to hear about it!

A lot of people mention Just Joe's, I'd like to give a plug for the original design, Cebulla, which Just Joe's copied.
I have both and prefer the profile around the back of my neck of the cebulla. Not that much in it but I do prefer to support the originator as opposed to the copier.

 

[reedman]

Just Joes neck strap is superb!! I have a few and they are the best neck straps i have had. Send Joe and email and he is quick to respond and the website gives recommendations on sizing.

 

[richgreenberg]

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

Hi. Do you find that the buckle length control gives one enough "fine adjustment" capabilities? I currently use a sling type strap and love it for the most part - but it slips and I have to keep cinching it up far too often.

 

[turf3]

Hi. Do you find that the buckle length control gives one enough "fine adjustment" capabilities? I currently use a sling type strap and love it for the most part - but it slips and I have to keep cinching it up far too often.

If you want to be in between two holes, just punch an extra hole.

 

[turf3]

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.

 

[John_Dikeman]

Hi. Do you find that the buckle length control gives one enough "fine adjustment" capabilities? I currently use a sling type strap and love it for the most part - but it slips and I have to keep cinching it up far too often.

For me the buckle increments work just fine. I've never felt like I needed a size in between.
One thing I will say though is this particular strap is way too long to use as a normal neck strap, for me anyway. So I did go to a shoe repair guy to have him punch a bunch of extra holes and cut off some of the excess. Was super simple and he didn't even charge me, so I don't see it as an issue...