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C Melody Saxophone Forum / Neck Straight versus Curved / Straps for S/N vs. C/N

Ralph User ID: 9001673	Sep 26th 10:31 AM I'm currently playing with saxes with both types of necks and am running into strap problems. It seems that most (3) straps I've dealt with are too long. Especially when I'm using a curved neck sax. What kind of recommendations can anyone give me as to a strap (preferably padded and not too expensive) that can be used WITHOUT modifying on the sewing machine. I find that the hook needs to be just above my solar plexus point and the strap almost feels like a NECK TIE. I don't like wearing ties and only do when my concert performances with other instruments requires it (I play Acoustic Bass Guitar with a Mandolin Orchestra and Bass Clarinet with a local Community Band). It almost seems like the strap hook should be located lower on the sax, but that would probably mess with the balance and also means a repair costing more money. Thanks for any input. Ralph
WW2 User ID: 2302834	Sep 26th 11:38 AM My favorite strap is made of leather. The neck pad has cotton to help with comfort. The adjustment is to a 1/2" wide leather strap that passes through the neck pad. By using a shorter leather strap I can have a better fit. The adjustment is with a buckle rather than a slide, so the strap does not close up like a cloth strap does. This can easily be made if you cannot find one. Mine is 30 years old but works fine.
Roger Aldridge User ID: 0735934	Sep 26th 12:00 PM Ralph, After I got my curved neck c-melody I, too, had trouble finding a neck strap that I could pull up far enough. The neotech kind of straps are too short for my c-melody. For a period of time I resorted to using a 1920's strap that came with my horn. But, it wasn't comfortable. The strap that I settled on is The Crescent. I ordered it from Woodwinds and Brasswinds. It's not cheap. But, it works very well for me with all of my horns. It has a deep narrow hook -- rather than a snap hook -- that's excellent for doubling and switching horns around quickly. The Crescent doesn't have as much padding as a neotech strap. But, it's comfortable enough for me. I don't think about it when I'm playing. Hope this helps.
Ralph User ID: 9001673	Sep 26th 12:58 PM Roger, My looking at a Neotech strap seemed to be the opposite of your situation. I found that pulling the strap up to the maximum height, it was still too far down (about an inch below the mark on my chest that I needed). It was comfy around my neck, but too low for the hook. The adjustment slide was nice though. Was the strap you were referring to the Brancher (approx $40)? I may take a look at Wade's solution, even if I have to re-do the padding. Having two saxes (I believe in back-ups) means two straps. Thanks for the guidance. Ralph
SelmerSaxMan User ID: 9203613	Sep 26th 6:27 PM I was just about to post this question...I too have problems with my strap beign to long, my thmb gorws tired VERY fast, 45 minutes. I starting using a harness on my series III, and now am spoiled, and even a small amount of weight such as my new wonder bothers me. I Have a UMI harness, are there any other harness that come up farther?
Roger Aldridge User ID: 2644644	Sep 26th 7:28 PM Ralph, I guess I didn't describe my situation with a Neotech strap very well. It was exactly as you said. Even with the strap pulled all the way up, my c-melody was too low to play. I'm not sure what company makes The Crescent. It was on the pricey side. Never the less, it works very well for me in doubling between c-melody, alto, and tenor. Each horn has a different strap height. Hope you find a good solution.
Alan Tucker User ID: 0798784	Sep 27th 7:29 AM Ralph - just a thought, but, if you've got a music shop in the area that sells a lot of secondhand instruments, you may find that they have a box of old bits (straps, mpcs,ligs etc.) that have been left over - or swapped out - from used or rental instruments. You may have to ask, as the box is normally kept 'out back' or in the repair shop. They may well have the kind of strap (or the makings) that Wade talks about. And they'll probably be glad to sell it to you for much less than a new strap (you may even find a C-Mel mpc lurking in there, that's how I got my vintage 'slant signature Link' soprano mpc - ssshh !). I agree with it being a problem, the strap(s) that feel good on C-Mels are usually useless for anything else (except maybe alto). And even when I find a good one, it needs to be able to be slipped off the neck without changine the adjustment - difference between comfort and discomfort does seem quite critical on C-Mels, more so than the other saxes. When I have to double I frequently wear a strap for each sax ! Of course, you could do what Cap'n Beeflat has done and solder an extra ring on the back, if you find a strap that's really good in all other respects. That may also usefully alter the sax's centre of gravity, to save getting 'smacked in the teeth' by the mouthpiece - that seems to be something C-Mels are prone to.... I seem to remember that some 50's Kings had a 'choice of three' strap rings - bit like a knuckle duster on the back of the sax ! It really is a case of trying as many straps as you can, without buying any until you find the right one. Regards, Alan.
Captain Beeflat User ID: 0770504	Sep 27th 7:47 AM Alan, absolutely correct. The real reason for soldering on extra, lower, rings was not the strap issue, but to alter the C of G; I always felt that I was pushing the horn away from me to the extent that my left thumb became numb. Also I had been smacked in the teeth too many times by a metal Otto Link. The strap issue is really not an problem; simply make a suitable strap from scratch or modify an existing strap to suit.......Regards...Bb.
bassclarinet User ID: 0582664	Jan 8th 8:38 PM I too have been having strap problems. Living in NW Iowa and traveloing 26 miles to any small music shop has limited my choices and I have bought three and none are perfect. I have RA and need the weight of the horn off my thumbs. With the latest strap it is almost as tight as a neck tie and the horn swings to the left when my hand position alters. The weight seems to be centered on my left thumb and make use of the OK akward. Is there such a manufactured item as an adjustable thumb-set, such as for a Bb clarinet? I have never seen one and could use it on my Bass Clarinet as well. Suggestions? Don't recommend having a new thumb position soldered on as the closest place I would trust work of that nature is Taylor Music in Abberdeen, SD> Suggestions please. Thanks