Last Updated on February 11, 2022 by Play Guitar Notes
If you’re a performing artist, a lot of thought goes into your look onstage. On the hand, we are musicians, but on the other hand, we are also showing people, and with our gestures, outfits, and style, we amplify our music’s message to create a multi-sensory experience for our audience.
An accessory that can make a subtle yet defining contribution to your style is the guitar strap. Available with all kinds of prints, or plain black, made from a variety of materials, like leather or nylon, there is an enormous range of guitar straps available on the market.
However, another, more important point to keep in mind is the functionality and comfort the strap affords you. There is little point in having the coolest-looking strap on earth if the ends aren’t well-manufactured, and your guitar comes off in mid-performance. Equally, if the strap is too narrow, or doesn’t distribute the weight of the guitar evenly on your back, you are going to be in pain and your playing is going to suffer, too.
Here are five recommendation for quality guitar straps for different budgets.
1 – Ernie Ball Black Polypro Guitar Strap
Ernie Ball, who was himself a lap steel guitar player, became an entrepreneur in the late 1950s. Since then, his company has revolutionized the way strings are manufactured, and sold strings and guitar accessories around the world. One of its most famous products is the Black Polypro Guitar Strap. Made from polypropylene with leather ends, this guitar strap is incredibly durable and dependable.
It doesn’t stretch, and the stitched leather ends support your guitar effortlessly. Just about every guitarist I know has one of these guitar straps somewhere in his rehearsal room because they never break! It is extremely good value for money. However, the drawback is that, if you play guitar that’s a bit on the heavier side, the strap digs into your shoulder. Not the most comfortable choice for a three hour, high-intensity gig. And also, let’s be honest: these straps are not exactly designer fashion statements, either.
2 – Planet Waves Woven Guitar Strap, Black Satin
This guitar strap comes from famous musical accessories’ company Planet Waves, which was founded in 1994 by Howard and Robert Silagy. D’Addario absorbed the company four years later, and since then, they have built a worldwide reputation for attractive, durable quality accessories.
Their guitar straps are no exception, and this black satin edition combines timeless style with no-fuss functionality. The ends are manufactured from leather to securely fasten your guitar. If you don’t fully trust them, you might consider getting some extra strap locks, also available on amazon.
The strap with the satin design is comfortably adjustable from 35” to 59.5” long. This gives a lot of room to find the right height for your best performance. One point to keep in mind with this kind of strap and material is that it stretches somewhat, and you might have to adjust it from time to time. Other than that, I would recommend this strap as good value for money, and of course, for its charming design.
3 – Fender 2 Vintage Tweed Strap
Founded in 1946, Fender is undoubtedly most famous for its electric guitars. However, the company offers a broad range of instruments, such as guitars, guitar amplifiers, bass amplifiers, PA equipment, and accessories.
Fender has a charming line of vintage-looking and -sounding products. The Vintage Tweed Strap is one of them. Made from Tweed, with durable leather ends, this strap is comfortable on your shoulder and gives secure support to your (doubtlessly vintage!) instrument. It is adjustable from 44″-49.5″, so you have some room to experiment to find the right height for you. The famous “F” logo is embossed in gold on the ends, so you automatically proclaim your loyalty to your favorite brand. Fair value for your money, and a clear statement for any guitarist.
4 – Perri’s Soft padded leather – black
Now we’re getting to the higher end of the price range. Perris Leathers is a family-owned, Canadian company that specializes in quality guitar straps, as well as offering straps for other instruments. Their straps are made from a range of materials, such as nylon, cotton, polypro, polyester and, of course, leather and suede.
Their line of beautifully designed leather straps provides maximum comfort and support for both guitar and player. The extra padding allows you to maintain a comfortable posture for hours, which translates into relaxed and fluid playing. The expert manufacturing and design that went into this accessory guarantees that it will be a faithful companion for many years. Additionally, the strap is available in various colors, allowing you to add your individual touch.
5 – Levy’s 3″ Acorn and Oak Leaf Guitar Strap Tan
This is as much a guitar strap, as its a lifestyle statement. Levy’s Leather was founded in 1973 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Since then, the company has acquired an excellent reputation for quality leather straps. The Acorn and Oak Leaf guitar strap is a beautifully crafted, adjustable leather strap that can be securely attached to both electric and acoustic guitars.
If you are one of those people who doesn’t shy away from making investments in quality instruments, equipment, and accessories, Levy’s Leather might have the guitar strap of your dreams waiting for you.