How to Find the Best Fitting Guitar Strap

Did you know that over sixteen million people learned how to play guitar over the past two years? At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you’ve just picked up the instrument or you’ve been at it for decades, a good-fitting guitar strap is essential for playing.

Sadly, there are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to guitar straps. Not only can these misconceptions affect your playing, but also your posture and health.

That’s why it’s essential to find the best fitting guitar strap for your body, instrument, and playing style.

Luckily, in this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about this subject. That way you look great and feel comfortable when playing. 

Features That Matter For Guitar Strap Fitting

Have you noticed your guitar strap getting uncomfortable after just a few songs? If the answer is yes, then there’s a good chance you have a strap that’s either cheap or doesn’t fit your properly.

The key to feeling comfortable while playing is to look at four separate features when searching for a guitar strap.

This includes the length, width, locking mechanism, and strap material. In this section, we’ll be going into these four areas in a bit more depth so you can get a fitted guitar strap. 

Guitar Strap Length

Most guitar straps you find will come with an adjustable strap length that goes between forty to sixty inches. Now, for the average person, this amount should be fine.

However, there are some caveats to this rule. First, if you’re tall, then you might want to get a longer-length strap. The same goes for if you play a heavy guitar or bass.

Lastly, get a long strap if you like playing your guitar exceptionally low to the ground. In any of these cases, you’ll want a longer strap that can go seventy inches or longer.

Guitar Strap Width

The thickness of a guitar strap will range from two to four inches. If you’re playing your instrument for extended periods standing up, or it’s a heavy model, go with the thicker four-inch strap.

Thin straps can dig into your shoulder over time. However, that’s not always the case.

If your guitar is light, then a thin strap shouldn’t cause you any pain. Plus, thin-width straps tend to be less expensive, so you can save some money in the process. 

Guitar Strap Locking Mechanism 

Whether or not you get a locking mechanism on your guitar strap will depend entirely on your personal preferences. Average guitar straps come with a standard loop that goes around the strap buttons on the guitar.

Most of the time these straps are secure when on. But, they can fall off. This is especially true if you move around a lot when you play or the strap has experienced some wear and tear.

If you want to avoid ever potentially dropping your instrument, then invest in a custom locking mechanism on your strap.

When you click these straps into place it becomes almost impossible for them to fall off. That being said, some players say they aren’t needed. So, it’s entirely up to you. 

Guitar Strap Material

Lastly, you need to consider your guitar strap material. Typically, you can break down most guitar strap materials into four categories: leather, nylon, cotton, and neoprene.

Each material comes with its pros and cons. For example, nylon tends to be a fairly durable option. Similarly, both cotton and neoprene materials tend to be quite comfy.

This is especially true if you get some good padding in them. However, for our money, we think leather guitar straps tend to be the best material. This strapping material combines the best of both worlds.

It’s comfortable, durable, and easy to customize. Plus, the older it gets the cooler it looks. That’s why some musicians will buy distressed guitar straps. It gives it a road-worn look that can’t be beaten. 

How to Put On a Guitar Strap

Once you get your product, then it’s time to learn how to put on a guitar strap. The good news is that this is pretty straightforward. First, locate the top and bottom strap buttons on your guitar.

If these aren’t present, then check the neck of the guitar. Some models have the top button up there. If you still can’t find them, then it’s likely your guitar came without strap buttons.

In this case, you can install them yourself or with the help of a professional. Once you find the buttons you should locate the button holes on your guitar strap.

One at a time, slip the buttons through these holes on your strap. Now, place the strap over your head so it rests on your shoulder. Test it first to make sure that it’s secure.

Then, find the adjustable buckle on your guitar strap. Move this up or down until you find a strap height that feels natural for you. If you have a locking mechanism for your strap, then all you need to do is snap it into place.

Then, press the quick-release button to drop it. Once your guitar strap is on you should make sure that you’re carrying it in a balanced way. The best way to do this is to make sure that it’s running as close to parallel with the floor as possible.

You don’t need to worry about this if you’re rocking out with a solo. But, it is something you should keep in mind when you play. 

How High Should Your Guitar Strap Be?

Ultimately, the right strap height will depend on your personal preferences. However, if you’re debating between wearing it high or low, then you might want to consider wearing it higher up. Why?

Because the only real benefit that comes with a low guitar strap is that it looks cool. Often you’ll see punk rock musicians wearing their straps as low down as they can go.

However, looks aside, wearing a low strap has some major drawbacks. First off, if your strap is too low, then you won’t be able to play every note on the fretboard.

There’s also the fact that a low strap can cause some serious back pain. And, with 65 million Americans reporting recent back pain, we think this should be avoided at all costs.

Lastly, it can hurt your wrist which is essential for your playing. That’s why we recommend wearing your strap at a medium to high height. 

Best Place to Shop For Guitar Straps

When shopping for the best fitting guitar strap you’ll want to avoid huge corporations like Guitar Center. These types of stores tend to offer a limited selection of guitar straps.

Plus, the strap that they do offer is usually low-quality and mass-produced. Instead, consider shopping at local shops and online small businesses. For one thing, it’s good to support the over 500,000 employees that work at these types of shops.

However, these types of businesses also offer a much wider selection of products for you to choose from. What’s more, the straps that they offer tend to be higher quality or more unique in their appearance.

Or, you can create your custom guitar strap by going with businesses like Strap Graphics. 

Ideas For Cool Guitar Straps

Sure, there are lots of cool guitar straps out there. But, what if you want a truly unique one? In that case, consider the custom straps offered by Strap Graphics.

With this option, you send us whatever images you want on your guitar straps. Then, we print full-color pictures onto leather material. For polyester straps, we use a sublimation process to put the image on the strap.

And don’t worry if you spill beer or sweat a lot on the straps. The image won’t come off. This is a great option if you’re in a band and want to brand your guitar accessories.

It’s also a great option if you have a custom design that you or your friends made. That way you’re positive that your strap is truly one of a kind. 

Contact StrapGraphics For the Best Guitar Accessories

We hope this article helped you find the best fitting guitar strap for your needs. Sadly, if you’re relying on factory-made guitar straps, then there’s a good chance you’re going to be disappointed with the product.

Instead, consider a company like Strap Graphics. We hand-make all of our guitar straps exactly to your specifications.

That way, there are no surprises when you slip on your instrument. Have any questions? Contact us today to learn more about our products and how we can help you.