The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Other Equipment: Strap Buckles...Front Or Back?

Strap Buckles...Front Or Back?

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- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 6:00 p.m. Paddywagon:

No question is too stupid, right?

I just got a new Gretsch strap (skinny, black) and I'm wondering if the adjustment buckle should be worn on the front side or back side. I have the tooled, jeweled model with the cactus steershead stuff and I always wear that with the buckle in front - otherwise you wouldn't see the jewels(of course), and, the buckle clasp seeks to point in that direction...

This new skinny strap has the clasp/buckle perfectly centered, so I guess it could be worn in either direction...

So, buckle in front or back?
- Rated: 48 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 6:14 p.m. dmanlow:

I always go for the buckle in the back.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 6:28 p.m. Mark Synchro:

dmanlow said: I always go for the buckle in the back.
Sheesh, some people.
- Rated: 20 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 6:42 p.m. DangerousMan:

I got that jewelled strap too and must say I really can't stand the thing; it digs into my collarbone and is just really uncomfortable. I tried to break it in but it's just too much of a distraction. Maybe I'll try rubbing some butter into the leather but I really can't see it working.
- Rated: 18 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 7:01 p.m. Robert:

I also use the Gretsch skinnies but I have no choice. The only way it works, without punching new holes, is with the buckle in the back. Otherwise the buckle rides so high that I can't move the shoulder pad down to a comfortable position. If I wore it a little lower it would be fine but I keep mine up around the belly.
- Rated: 2 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 7:11 p.m. johnsgretsch:

Buckle in the back. Rethread the pad so the curve fits right. I also punch exta holes in the strap so I can adjust it to hold the guitar higher.
- Rated: 13 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 7:54 p.m. MedinaMade:

Greetings, If I may I will give you a heads up on strap buckles. When I make straps w/buckles for my customers I always ask them this. What is the length measurement hole to hole on the current strap you use? That tells me how to construct the strap in a way that it can be adquately worn. The buckle should ride aprox. 6 inches from the pad for an ideal fit and look. The adjustment on this style of strap is very little compared to a strap that has an adjustable tail with slots. Some customers have me also put a non decorative adjustment buckle in the back so the one in front stays in position. The original gretsch straps were pretty much useless and very cheap. I'm not knocking them just stating fact. They remained in the cases or were discarded for other straps. The newer ones look a tad better but the adjustment problem and lengths remain shorter than most like. Many customers have sent me there straps to duplicate in a stronger, longer and more comfortable fashion. The pads I make are backed with real sheep wool and not curved. This is a biggie on comfort and feel. Baxter custom orders his from me to his liking. This is not a plug by me for my straps by any means. I just thought some constructive info on this topic would be appreciated. Peace, Julius
- Rated: 35 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 8:09 p.m. crowbone:

Buckle in the back.

If the pad still digs into you, cut out the ankle to knee part of a black cotton knee sock (child size) and thread it through.

The elastic usually is enough to grip the strap, and it will provide an extra buffer for your sensitive shoulder area!

Laugh if you want, but it works.
- Rated: 10 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 8:41 p.m. Daddy-O:

I have one of those skinny straps. Very poor quality, feels like cardboard not leather. Will stay away from FMIC straps in the future
- Rated: 56 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 8:45 p.m. otterbean:

I like the buckles in the front. It makes access easier. I also like the push up underwire stuff.....uh...nevermind. Wrong thread.
- Rated: 20 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 9:10 p.m. DangerousMan:

I've also got one of the older Fender thin straps (also made in Canada.) It is a brilliant guitar strap. The leather is smooth and supple. It is not in any way stiff, and never was. The shoulder pad is real comfortable too. The only problem I had with it was that it was too long - I had to punch new holes in it. My favourite strap, though, is a Jack Daniels synthetic strap (albeit with leather ends.) The material is very, very thin and extremely comfortable. It's about ten years old and still works perfectly. When I bought it it cost six Irish punts (pounds) and was one of the cheapest straps in the store.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 9:50 p.m. Mark Synchro:

otterbean said: I like the buckles in the front. It makes access easier. I also like the push up underwire stuff.....uh...nevermind. Wrong thread.
Wrong thread?!?!?! Try wrong forum. You must have us confused with the Les Paul board.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 10:20 p.m. Paddywagon:

I have to agree with DangerousMan on the tooled-jewelled strap. It is pretty uncomfortable - Plus, I play both keys and guitar in a band, so I have to do a lot of quick changes between keys and guitar, where I have to set the guitar down fast and head to the keyboards between songs. That metal stuff on the strap has to hang just right on the guitar stand when I quick set it down quickly otherwise it will put a nice ding in the ol' Gretsch!

I think with the skinny strap I'll go with the buckle in the back.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 10:37 p.m. Mark Synchro:

I love the looks of the jewelled Gretsch strap but all that metal near my guitars scares me to death. One false move at a gig and you could lose a chunk of finish.
- Rated: 41 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 10:52 p.m. dubkitty:

i use the jeweled Gretsch strap with my Pro Jet (i have a strap for every individual guitar so i don't have to adjust when i switch guitars). i wear the buckle to the front, so it's available for adjustment if necessary. hopefully this isn't some kind of arcane Gretsch indication of your sexuality or something. but i'm fairly short (5'8) so the ergonomics of it may be different for me. i don't worry about dinging the guitar up, since it's already been beat up pretty good from me learning guitar customization on it.

there was a thread awhile back about how to make your cowboy strap more comfortable; various leather conditioners are available to soften leather. i've used Lexol and it works quite well.
- Rated: 35 ↑
Jul 13, 2008 9:29 a.m. crowbone:

Mark Synchro:
Wrong thread?!?!?! Try wrong forum. You must have us confused with the Les Paul board.

Thanks Mark for making my morning!
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jul 13, 2008 10:21 a.m. Mark Synchro:

Hey, I gotta take a jab at the Les Paul forums when the opportunity presents itself.
- Rated: 56 ↑
Jul 13, 2008 10:58 a.m. otterbean:

Thats what the Les Paul forum is there for? I never knew that.
- Rated: 47 ↑
Jul 13, 2008 11:18 a.m. Timthom62:

There's a Les Paul Forum? I wonder why...?

I've avoided straps with buckles for many years after dinging too many finishes. That said, if I did have a strap with a buckle, especially a fancy Gretsch strap with a jeweled buckle, I'd have that sucker around front where it could be seen!
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jul 13, 2008 11:24 a.m. Mark Synchro:

otterbean said: Thats what the Les Paul forum is there for? I never knew that.

TimThom 62 said: There's a Les Paul Forum? I wonder why...?

As far as I can tell its purpose is:

The study and advancement of profanity.

Provide stimulation to the egos of those that have little to take pride in.

Be a source of unending humor and derision for other forums.
- Rated: 47 ↑
Jul 13, 2008 11:59 a.m. Timthom62:

How many threads entitled "Slash ToTAllY RawKs, Dood!!!! does one need really?
- Rated: 25 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 5:59 p.m. Scott:

I keep the buckles in the front...and I usually have to cut some of the strap off. I don't get why straps are so long. I suppose that's because I don't hang the friggin' guitar down at my knees when I play!

I only play guitar at a gig so hurriedly pulling off the guitar and risking a buckle hit isn't really an issue with me. And I usually play the same guitar for the whole gig so it goes on and doesn't come off til the set's over.

I use all Levy's straps...great straps for the money. And on my 2002 6120-57(see avatar) I actually use a strap that resembles a seat belt from a car...including the large buckle!
- Rated: 41 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 7:20 p.m. dubkitty:

every one of my straps except the Gretsch one are from Levy's.
- Rated: 6 ↑
Jul 14, 2008 10:38 p.m. catman:

Buckle in the front.
- Rated: 8 ↑
Jul 15, 2008 2:16 a.m. Shawn:

I keep the buckle in back simply because the guitar hangs way too low if it's in front...and I'm 6'2". I've thought about getting a couple of rivets, cutting the leather, and reattaching so that it could fit in the front.

To be honest, I hate the straps on all my guitars and can't seem to find a decent one "off the shelf". I think my best strap is the cheap "Fender" logo'd strap that I keep on my SG, although that may be because the SG doesn't weigh anything.