[Hassles]

To our female players I ask this question. What is the most comfortable saxophone harness you have tried? I ask this question as I am seeking a new harness for a young performer who plays a rather heavy tenor saxophone (vintage G.H.Huller). She has been using a cheap and common harness which she finds a bit restrictive. At this point in time I am considering a Balam from the Boston Sax Shop but would appreciate opinions expressed here. All I really care about is that this young woman is happy and comfortable while playing.
thanks

 

[bandmommy]

I use the Neotec Super Harness on bari. It wasn't awfully expensive, comes in different sizes, and is reasonably comfortable. It doesn't have quite as much of the 'Bari Bra' look so that's a bit of a plus.
I think I got the 'regular' size. I'm 5' 2.5" short and weigh about a buck fifty at 59 years of age. Just in case you want to compare stature.

 

[Hassles]

G'day bandmommy - thanks. The intended recipient stands about 5' 9" weighing (my guesstimation) about 75 kilos (which is my height and weight) and while I'm a tad older than you the recipient is not yet officially deemed as an adult. I'll check the unit you've mentioned. The features of the loop connector or a hook certainly have appeal and it seems well designed. At present I am leaning towards the Balam from BSS or the Gemini from http://saxharness.com which at least offer women's sizes.

 

[ZootTheSim]

I have a Balam, but (though admittedly male) prefer my Adorence strap, which is a similar but better design, and made almost as well, but much cheaper.

 

[Guto]

BG makes models specific for women. E.g. SAX HARNESS "SAXY LADY" REGULAR

 

[bandmommy]

The Super Harness comes in Junior/women, regular, and XL sizes.
I got the regular only because my son in law also uses my bari, and this size harness would accommodate both of our frames.
Everyone has different requirements in a harness so it is a good idea that you are comparing brands and features.

 

[Alex Nyman]

Although I’m male I’d just like to throw the idea of the JazzLab Saxholder into the ring. I’ve been using one for 2 years and I could never go back to a regular neck strap and although I have Balam I find it nowhere near as comfortable as the Saxholder. In terms of relieving the weight (you mentioned the heavy tenor of your student) it is amazing and I put on a Just Joe’s strap the other day just for comparison and it felt as if someone was actually pulling the tenor down on my neck. I couldn’t quite believe the difference. Yes it does take a short while to acclimatise to the Saxholder and for sitting sessions it requires some adjustments but for most of my work I’m standing and as such it really has no competition as far as I’m concerned. Just a thought anyway. Best, Alex

 

[Hassles]

Hey Alex - thanks for your contribution. I did give her a Just Joe's strap for alto which she adores. As she is primarily a tenor player a harness is often used. IMHO the selection of the Jazz Lab would need to be a personal one rather than thrusted upon someone unknowingly. I have seen the Sax Lab demonstrated a number of times with more than decent reviews. I guess might have to need to discuss the Sax Lab with the recipient and allow her to make the choice.

 

[Pete Thomas]

IMHO the selection of the Jazz Lab would need to be a personal one rather than thrusted upon someone unknowingly

I guess might have to need to discuss the Sax Lab with the recipient and allow her to make the choice.

Wouldn't that apply to any advice you get about this, not just the saxholder? The selection of any harness or strap is a personal one and not to be thrust on someone unknowingly!

I'd let her make the choice whatever - see what she is comfortable with.

 

[Hassles]

hey Pete = would be easy if these were all available here which they are not I am sorry to say. So...the choice will need to made upon research and reviews followed by what one hopes will be a qualified decision.

 

[bandmommy]

Hey Alex - thanks for your contribution. I did give her a Just Joe's strap for alto which she adores. As she is primarily a tenor player a harness is often used. IMHO the selection of the Jazz Lab would need to be a personal one rather than thrusted upon someone unknowingly. I have seen the Sax Lab demonstrated a number of times with more than decent reviews. I guess might have to need to discuss the Sax Lab with the recipient and allow her to make the choice.

I use a Just Joe's strap for alto and tenor. Never felt the need to use a harness on tenor. It's not that heavy.

 

[Alex Nyman]

I use a Just Joe's strap for alto and tenor. Never felt the need to use a harness on tenor. It's not that heavy.

I also used JJ's for many years. Excellent straps and certainly one of the best in distributing weight away from the spine. However I was being question specific as to the possibility for this student to find something that might help with what was described as a heavy tenor for the student in question (and they do seem to find the tenor heavy) My experience with the Saxholder has been enlightening in terms of the weight around the neck and it's drawbacks 'for me'. I know many players who have no problems with straps or harnesses. Just my viewpoint for this students consideration.

 

[bandmommy]

I also used JJ's for many years. Excellent straps and certainly one of the best in distributing weight away from the spine. However I was being question specific as to the possibility for this student to find something that might help with what was described as a heavy tenor for the student in question (and they do seem to find the tenor heavy) My experience with the Saxholder has been enlightening in terms of the weight around the neck and it's drawbacks 'for me'. I know many players who have no problems with straps or harnesses. Just my viewpoint for this students consideration.

My apologies for not finding my 60+ year old tenor heavy for my 59 year old body.
I forget that not everyone does as much physical labor as I do out here in the sticks...

 

[Alex Nyman]

My apologies for not finding my 60+ year old tenor heavy for my 59 year old body.
I forget that not everyone does as much physical labor as I do out here in the sticks...

😂 no apologies needed. I find standing for 6-8 hours a day 5 days a week in my studio with a saxophone quite a task for my 60 year old body. Wish I was made of sterner stuff😃 All good. Kind regards. Alex

 

[Hassles]

Those vintage G.H.Huller saxophones are pretty hefty for a young person hence her preference for a harness when playing tenor.

 

[CatDuet]

I have a bad back, but I hold my Conn 10M easily with this. It's pricey, but worth it to me.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Vandoren/Saxophone-Support-System-Harness-1360008823778.gc?cntry=us&source=4SOS0DRBA

 

[Hassles]

Hey CatDuet - I ain't ever seen one of these before. Yeah its a bit pricey as you you say but in the same league as the Balam. Thanks for the tip

 

[Ed Wirth]

To our female players I ask this question. What is the most comfortable saxophone harness you have tried? I ask this question as I am seeking a new harness for a young performer who plays a rather heavy tenor saxophone (vintage G.H.Huller). She has been using a cheap and common harness which she finds a bit restrictive. At this point in time I am considering a Balam from the Boston Sax Shop but would appreciate opinions expressed here. All I really care about is that this young woman is happy and comfortable while playing.
thanks

 

[Ed Wirth]

You may want to check out the Neotech Practice Strap. Great strap with the only issue being it fitting in your case. Should be available at Amazon. Strap allows you to play the horn in a natural position as if you were using a regular sax strap. Maybe some women who use this strap can comment on how it works for them.

 

[Roundmidnite]

I use a Saxlab for alto and tenor, but I have broken a couple throwing them in gig bags. They are weird to wear when playing while sitting, but much better when you have a long gig standing wearing heels! Us women can have quite the array of issues- shoes, lipstick, boobs getting in the way... Then there's the occassional sexual harrassment, that's rare thankfully!