What’s new at Zystrix? Read on…
March 17, 2025
The Best Guitar
Straps for the
Metal Guitarist
In the last issue we looked at
impulse response loader pedals
(click here for a refresher) and there
was an impulse response free offer. In this issue
we’re going to look at the most bang-for-the-buck
guitar straps for the metal guitarist. There are a
lot of straps available, but the best ones are a
little harder to find. And there are a few bonus
brands at the end. The subject of guitar straps is
maybe a little boring, but some day a new strap
may be in order for someone. And getting back to
the topic of impulse responses, there’s a new free
download of never before released Djammincabs
Super Maxxx 4x12 impulse Responses version
#02. These impulse responses are designed for
the guitarist who has a pedal that only accepts
short impulses (under 50ms), so they are
easy to cut down (truncate) from 200ms and
still retain their sonic integrity. And there are also
23 close mic’d type short burst stereo cabinet files
included (if your impulse pedal utilizes stereo).
So sit back and relax. Welcome to Zystrix, the
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Guitar Strap Introduction
If you play guitar standing up eventually
you’re going to use some kind of
guitar strap. And a strap even helps
to stabilize your guitar while seated.
And it’s a great way to make a fashion
statement and customize your live
presentation. Unfortunately there are
many straps that either don’t hold up well,
or twist, or bind, or are just generally useless over
time. I’ve thrown away many of them, and usually
they are of the nylon type. The second worse are
generally the woven type. And although they
do look cool with all the different woven
patterns, they tend to split apart length-wise.
So the point I’m trying to make is I would
suggest spending a little more on a strap
that has some longevity. It’s better
to have a $40 strap that lasts than to
have two $20 straps that later become
useless. Leather has high durability and
lasts a long time. It takes time to break-
in but gets more comfortable over time.
And if you’re guitar is a heavier solid
body don’t forget that a wider strap is
easier on the shoulder. Consider something 2.5
to 3 inches wide. There are some great durable
straps to be had out there, it just takes a little
shopping. And if the plain versions are purchased
the strap can be adorned with your favorite
square, diamond, chrome, brass, and dome
shaped studs. Check out Etsy, Amazon, leather
shops, and biker supplies for metal-through-
leather adornments. Be careful not to put them in
the shoulder area. Or go to a nearby biker shop
and ask who does leather work. I
hired a woman who stitched on snake
skin for a reasonable price – a cool
look. Or have your initials or name
put on for a guitar strap (I did that too)
for a strap that’s very individual and
personal. Also please note that this
list is about straps only, not strap-locks. That’s
another discussion for another day. And I
am not going to mention every brand of
strap available because I’m not trying to
be exhaustive. How ever you decide to
go, a durable leather strap is usually a
good choice because it lasts a long time. So let’s
look at some guitar straps…
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Top Guitar
Strap Picks
Levy Guitar Straps
If I had to choose only
one brand of strap I’d
choose Levy. Why?
They’re a little pricey but they
make some excellent straps that are very
durable and come in various leather shades and
styles. And you’ll never need to buy a strap
again (except to add to your collection). I’d
go with something plain and make my own
changes (like snake skin), but that’s just me.
Tooled leather also looks cool, but factory
tooled means someone else has that
design too. Anyway, there are enough
Levy choices to go around. And the strap
is made in Canada, so depending on the
prevailing political winds (and whims) it
may cost somewhat more in
the USA because of the excessive
border tax, that is, if it’s even
available. Right now they are
weighing in at $43.52 USA. Click
here for more info or to order a Levy Guitar Strap.
Fender Broken-In Leather
Fender is another company that makes
some durable straps. Their Broken-In
Leather is especially nice, and surprise,
it’s comfortable even when it’s brand
new. The strap is made of a glossy
cowhide leather and has a very soft
feel. It comes in black, green, brown,
and tan, it’s 2.5 inches wide, and it
adjusts from 46” to 54.5 inches long.
Like a lot of leather goods, they have a
toned down look. Since it’s made of
leather this is another strap that will last
a long time. These are about $44.99 USA
depending on the market. Click here for more
info or to order a Fender Broken-In.
Ernie Ball Neoprene
This strap is made of neoprene and
comes in widths of 2 or 3 inches,
and it’s length adjustable from 46 to
54 inches long. Neoprene is
durable, and this would make a
nice choice for an extra strap, but I
just haven’t been able to make
friends with neoprene. Oh sure, it’s
reasonably priced, and it comes with OK “strap
locks” built in, but I’d rather buy some permanent
metal strap locks that are not too esoteric or one-
kind-only-fits-one-kind. But that’s just me, and it’s
all a matter of what the strap has to do for you.
These straps are about $34.99 for the 2-inch wide
and about $39.99 for the 3-inch. Click here for
more info or to order an Ernie Ball Neoprene.
Dunlop
Jimi Hendrix
Festival
I like the woven colors. I like the cool look.
And so many choices. It takes me back to my
youth when guitar straps of this type were
sold at every mom-and-pop music
store. Unfortunately though, every
strap I ever bought of this type
came apart lengthwise and
eventually got thrown away. But this
Dunlop Jimi Hendrix hippie-
looking strap collection just
seems to inspire. And they are
relatively inexpensive, about
$27.99 USA or thereabouts, so
get one just to say you own one.
Groovy, man. Click here for more info or to order
a Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Festival.
Guitar Strap
Conclusion
In this guitar strap listing I passed
over many types and brands in
favor of ones that last. I spent
many decades buying fashionable
and colorful guitar straps only to
throw them all away. The junky ones are for
playing at home on an equally junky guitar, but
that’s if you want to bother. There are other
excellent leather guitar strap brands you may also
enjoy like Perri’s, Franklin, Walker and Williams,
and the budget friendly P&P. All of these brands
can be found at the Walmart online shopping
website for a reasonable price -- they were last
week anyway. There are also the high-priced
made-to-spec straps available if you want to find
something made just for you. Try buying from a
local leather shop and save money and also be
involved with the art. Also consider
Leathersmith Designs for a
personalized guitar strap, but they
are also made in Canada, so here
in the
USA, at
least at the
time of this writing,
there’s always the
added Trump Tax to
deal with. Good luck.
Djammincabs
Here’s a new free download of over 1400 never
before released Djammincabs Super Maxxx 4x12
impulse Responses -- this is version #02. What
makes them any different? These impulse
responses are designed for the guitarist who has
an impulse loader pedal that only accepts
short impulses (under 50ms) like the
Flamma Cab FS07, Mooer Radar, Joyo
Cab Box, or the Engl Cabloader, so they
are easy to cut down (truncate) from
200ms and still retain their sonic integrity. And
there are also 23 close mic’d short burst stereo
cabinet type files included (if your impulse
pedal can utilize stereo). Try new
Djammincabs Super Maxxx 4x12 vers 2.
Don’t touch that dial…
Stay tuned next time…
Well, so much for guitar straps,
it’s time to move on. Next time we
are going to look at the best strap locks for
metal guitar. And we’ll have a home-made
strap lock recipe you may enjoy for the
do-it-yourselfer. Maybe I’ll see you then.
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