Quick change neck straps?

871 Views 33 Replies 26 Participants Last post by Sacks Of Phones, 8 d ago

powerharp

Discussion Starter · 9 d ago

I'm relatively new to the game, but I find that it's quite a pain in the ass to adjust the neck strap when I switch between tenor and alto. When I practice at home I wear one strap for each and I wonder why there is no strap that has one hook for each horn. I understand that the hook not in use might either interfere with playing or scratch the horn in use, but surely there is a simple workaround for that. I currently us a Neotech strap and find the neoprene stretching while playing is annoying. My other strap has a wide pad on it which is more comfortable, but difficult to adjust. A dual strap would be set at the proper length for both making it just click and play. Thoughts? Suggestions? Criticism expected.

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liggy

· #2 · 9 d ago

Maybe upgrade to a better strap? Just Joe's or the Marmaduke or Balam straps are easy to adjust and way better than the Neotech IMO.

Reactions: 2

mmichel

· #3 · 9 d ago

I agree with @liggy that the Neotechs are pretty terrible straps. I used them for a long time, before I realized that there were better alternatives.

I currently prefer to use a Balam on tenor and a Just Joe's on alto. Both straps will accommodate either alto or tenor. Nonetheless, if I'm switching back and forth between horns, I'll just wear both. Because the two straps sit very differently (i.e., the Just Joe's is a traditional neckstrap, while the Balam is a shoulder/back strap), I don't find that they interfere with each other at all.

Reactions: 1

rhysonsax

· #4 · 9 d ago

I have got a Cebulla neck strap with two separately adjustable cords and hooks. I used it for tenor and alto and it worked very well - secure and the hooks didn't scratch the instruments.

Look at the very bottom of this page for the "Combi strap" Produktliste Cebulla Saxophongurte - Sax Straps

Rhys

Reactions: 2

super20dan

· #5 · 9 d ago

wow those straps look like a great idea . i used seprate straps for alto and tenor when i was doubling on gigs. worked fine

ralph lh

· #6 · 9 d ago

I play both tenor and alto in my band and got tired of either wearing two straps or fiddling with one to adjust up and down for each horn. I got the Protec 22 inch leather less stress strap and it works really well. Adjusts quickly from one position to the other with a solid clip.

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Reactions: 1

Dr G

· #7 · 9 d ago

Another vote for Just Joe's - you can specify the desired length and type of hook, and adjustment is quick and stays put.

justjoessaxgelstrap.com

Home

BUILD YOUR STRAP Carefully Handcrafted with the Finest Quality Materials Premium Grade Soft Leather and Viscoelastic Polymer Provides the ability to maintain its shape, stretch, deflect an applied load and absorb shock makes it ideal material for supporting spine health. Aircraft Grade...

justjoessaxgelstrap.com

Reactions: 2

datsaxman

· #8 · 9 d ago

Guess I have been doing it wrong this whole time… I usually have a separate strap in every case for gig horns. Then it mostly ends up I use one strap for all anyway. Just adjusting them seems pretty easy. Just Joe’s, Neotech, whtvr.

Hope you find something you like.

Reactions: 2

lostcircuits

· #9 · 9 d ago

ralph lh said:
I play both tenor and alto in my band and got tired of either wearing two straps or fiddling with one to adjust up and down for each horn. I got the Protec 22 inch leather less stress strap and it works really well. Adjusts quickly from one position to the other with a solid clip.

View attachment 153831

It's what I am using as my secondary strap, my main is the simpler version without the metal bar and I am using if for everything from sop to bari, including c-mel, where it needs to be adjusted to the shortest length but it still works.

DadOfTwins

· #10 · 9 d ago

I feel your pain. When you're in the pit for a musical, and you have 4 measures to switch horns, it's either take a few seconds to adjust the strap height or a few seconds to make sure you're using the right strap!
I go with the former. Easier to make a quick adjustment than to fiddle for the right strap in a dark pit.

JL

· #11 · 9 d ago

Dr G said:
Another vote for Just Joe's - you can specify the desired length and type of hook, and adjustment is quick and stays put.

There's your answer. Read the part of the quote I put in bold. Also, equally important, Just Joe's strap is very comfortable. Just an all-round great sax strap. The best I've found and I'm sticking with it.

Reactions: 2

robbieg

· #12 · 9 d ago

Another vote for Just Joe's. I used the same one for Alto, Tenor, and Bari for a long time. Recently purchased a second slightly shorter one for Alto. Honestly, the best strap out there and I have a Cebulla, Baalam, and others.

whaler

· #13 · 9 d ago

Ray Hyman forever. I’ve never understood wanting a metal dog leash hook on a neck strap to scratch your sax.

Reactions: 3

Tonehole

· #14 · 9 d ago

I recommend the Jupiter neck strap which can be had for $50.00, it was given to m by the sales rep I replaced the soft rubber on the metal hook with a tough nylon piece of hose and swapped out the the lace with a longer boot lace so I can use it on Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bari. Very comfortable andd have used it with my YBS 62 for a 3 hour video gig with no ill effect.

Jupiter Sax Gig Strap Provides Ultimate Comfort

Jupiter - Jupiter Sax Gig Strap Provides Ultimate Comfort

jupitermusic.com

1saxman

· #15 · 9 d ago

super20dan said:
wow those straps look like a great idea . i used seprate straps for alto and tenor when i was doubling on gigs. worked fine

I've done that all my life - used to have a black one for tenor and a white one for alto. Those were Ray Hymans. I eventually started using straps with a spring lock on the hook and they weren't made in white, so I just put a thin strip of white tape on the alto one for quick ID.
Tell you what, the SaxHolder is fast-adjusting. I use that when I'm going to be playing some baritone - the old neck can't take much bari. With a modern bari there's little to no difference in the length between tenor and bari and it is physically easy to raise and lower - you squeeze the turnbuckle and it lets you go up or down with it.

JL

· #16 · 9 d ago

whaler said:
I’ve never understood wanting a metal dog leash hook on a neck strap to scratch your sax.

I wouldn't want a metal hook either. The Just Joe's strap has a (very sturdy) plastic hook that closes securely.

Tonehole

· #17 · 9 d ago

JL said:
I wouldn't want a metal hook either. The Just Joe's strap has a (very sturdy) plastic hook that closes securely.

The metal hook on the Jupiter strap needs no clasp like a metal or plastic dog leash clasp as none is needed if your horn were to come off the hook you would have bigger problems like you fell off stage or something. The metal hook comes with a flexible rubber sleeve on it, the weight of the Bari cut through it so I replaced it with a tougher tubing so the metal does not damage the brass ring.

super20dan

· #18 · 9 d ago

whaler said:
Ray Hyman forever. I’ve never understood wanting a metal dog leash hook on a neck strap to scratch your sax.

ray hyman for me also. its what i used for the past 40 yrs. they dont slip and adjust fast. last forever

LeblancBoy

· #19 · 9 d ago

I'm liking the Just Joe's in black, with the Custom J Hook and the Wide Enhance Bar.
Looks comfortable and easily adjustable.
It's a three-hour drive from the house, and Bend is always gorgeous this time of year.
FIELD TRIP!!!

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bmisf

· #20 · 9 d ago

2

I've probably posted about this Marmaduke strap too many times, but I really do love it, and this time I'll include pictures. I use it from bari and bass clarinet all the way up through soprano, and put a Brancher hook on it to make it fast to swap on and off of any instrument. It's fast to adjust, comfortable even with the weight of a bari, and it collapses down to fit in that pouch, which fits in any bell from alto on down to bari.

The Just Joe's straps are nice, too—just slightly less versatile.

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