As a strapmaker I approve of this thread. What I personally desire in a guitar strap is to own something that is uncommon, sort of a signature kind of thing that compliments the instrument.
Padded, at least 2-3/4 wide, adjusting a minimum of 57" long. But I normally hang most comfortably around 53" hole-to-hole. So many big name factory straps max out at about 51" hole to hole.
it has to have trusty ends. I typically hang electrics medium low, so that basically where I strum is just below where my belt buckle would be. Acoustics maybe six inches higher.
Here's some of my own favourite guitar slings...
This one is a back buckler, plain black leather. One of only a couple un-padded straps I use. This oen is a very light and thin-bodied multi-ply japanese import.
This strap is a soft metallic gold on one side, gold embroidered paisley on the other. I liked the paisley lining on the outside instead of the original plan!
A silver and copper metallic python goes on the reapercaster
Shock & Awe #09 floats between a lot of guitars. They are numbered in series, I think I am up into the 80's now.
One of my own, and customer favourites as well.
This DC special above normally sports a leather link strap similar to the brown one below, only in black. Funny, have no pics of it on
the DC, though I recall saying to myself after I completed it, "There is no way I can ever sell this strap," so I guess that's why no pics.
The brown one above is in my store though. ;-)
For now, this paul sports a black leather, brass studded, pirate buckler thing with green gator accents, but even I think its a bit much, LOL!
Probably going to change it out someday, just waiting for the inspiration
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An ornately hand-beaded paisley ribbon on 3" suede is one of my favourites, usually shows up on my washburn dreadnought
Black "loserhide" (old school 80's patch leather) festoons this custom set-neck tele
This strat has an oil-tanned strap with this crazy ornate amber cabochon belt sewed to it, with black sheepswool padding, also this strap wears an early
prototype version of my Old School Leather straplocks, my design has been since much improved, but this is secure and workable.
My 335 will either wear this comfy padded basket case woven leather strap, most usually
or this red suede strap, sheeps' wool lined with hand-beaded work by a local Cree lady. I didn't make it, and it needs to be reinforced on the
ends so, which is something I should really get after someday. If was a gift many years ago before I started making my own.
Or this Noel sort of tribute strap with a huge brass buckle
The Psychocaster wears this lightly padded white python leather hootenanny style strap at 2-3/4 wide.
My Hamer "Golden Wolf" DC wears a mojotone amp grill strap in black and gold
This Cowboycaster wears a hair-on cowhide with conchos, which is the first strap I ever made, there is no sewing on it.
I started making guitar straps for myself partly due to guitar builds/refinishes which I was big into at one time.
Also, due to shoulder injuries back around 2009-2011, I was having difficulties using typical factory straps during my rehabs, so at this time I was driven to develop more comfortable strap designs.
I have a few other guitars I am always thinking about strapping with better than what they currenty have, but I am also often testing prototypes or whatever so
whenever I get time to play, I am usually trying new customs, designs, materials etc. I mean I have probably a couple hundred handmades to test/choose from. No shortage around here
Can you tell I'm a little bit into guitar straps? I believe care in choosing them can really boost a persons' overall guitar-playing satisfaction/comfort experience, and inspire you to play more and be a better musician. Well you, anyway. Not me. Since I started the whole Well-Hung thing, my time spent playing guitar seems to have decreased significantly, LOL!
also, when it comes to attaching a strap to your guitar, I highly recommend jumbo oversize guitar strap buttons over other mechanical steel and plastic gadgetry. There are a few makers of such buttons, but I designed my own and have them custom milled for my customers. They include very robust hardware and washers made of real fur felt (or leather upon demand).
I call them the Well-Hung Pro-Pins. You can see a typical fender style space capsule and it's typical screw on the bottom of the pic for comparison.
