Testing 5 Popular Straps for Saxophone: Pro's and Con's

[@paulready8897]

Nice video. Just bought an alto sax and it came with a cheap strap. I bought a strap that is similar to the jazz lab one, but it looks bulky and the clip that the sax hooks to is cheap quality. Want a strap that a sax does not pull on the neck. I will check out the gel pack strap as it looks like it will be good.

[@ThomasHaehnlein]

Great, enjoy your first steps Paul!

[@patricelaplante6300]

Hi, which one would you recommend for Bari ? (Which is my main instrument). The Jazz Lab always lifts on the left side and is not good. Tks

[@ThomasHaehnlein]

Hi Patrice, I don't really play bari myself, but I often see baritone players play these body straps like the BG France S40CSH strap. As an alternative you could try out the balam back strap

[@thepianokid27]

Hey Thomas! If you like the traditional neck strap style (which I agree gives the best balance to the sax), I suggest checking out those straps that have a wide adjustment plate instead. These would bring the straps far apart and alleviate pressure around the neck when playing for long periods. I currently use a B.air Bird Neck Strap with one of these wide plates and it has helped me tremendously whilst still giving me a good balance. Brands like BG, Forestone and Protec etc feature this wide plate. It is getting more common now. Check out one for urself!

[@ThomasHaehnlein]

Hey, thanks for the suggestion, I'll try one of those when I get a chance!

[@BGFRANCKBICHON]

Thank You for taking time to compare BG harness to other strap concepts. The best support is the one that fits you! We invite you to test our ZEN LEATHER and ZEN YOKE Straps to offer a fair comparison to your friends / followers . We like to offer the most complete choice of concepts (harnesses, neck straps, braces...) for each musician to have his best fit. Feel free to contact us if you are open to testing samples! You may not like them at all or just love them in any case you will discover and test concrete differences to harness concepts from BG France. Warmest regards to you and your followers, BG Team

[@BenG-vf7et]

The BG harness style also forces you into a clarinet embouchre, especially if you play bari.

[@LieuNoir]

yes I've tried a similar harness and really disliked the playing position. (bari)

[@matt-darwin]

How does the hooki feel when stood or seated with a tenor sax to the side? I currently use a Saxholder Pro, but I have tennis elbow issues, and have been suggested by a physiotherapist to try playing to the side, which is a bit more uncomfortable with the Saxholder.

[@ThomasHaehnlein]

Hey Matt, I don’t have the Hooki anymore to try it out, but in general the problem is a little bit that you can easily lose the right position, I think sitting down with the instrument with the hooki is therefore not ideal. I’d recommend you try out the Balam if this is an option for you

[@BenG-vf7et]

Recommendations for Bari sax? Mostly sitting down, so I have to play side saddle.

[@LieuNoir]

It was not exactly these models but I've tried a harness (similar to the BG Strap Men), while I found it comfortable to carry the sax, I really disliked the playing position (not much movement freedom of the sax, not the right angle for the mouthpiece). I've tried a Neck Strap similar to the "Kölbl Just Joey", it was the best position for me but the weight was unbearable on the neck (even after few minutes). I'm using the Jazzlab saXholder (older version) and very happy with it. The position is indeed a bit less good as with the neck strap, but still ok for me. And since I can play one hour with it without problem, so it's only alternative for me right now. I do have to slightly readjust the position of the three arms periodically though.

[@LieuNoir]

but in any case, you have to try it for yourself, each body is different (for example, I've read that some people love the "BALAM Back Strap", while others hate it -- on comfort point of view)

[@BenG-vf7et]

@@LieuNoirI’m using a harness, similar to the BG. I attached a sturdy caribener to the hook and it’s so much better. I can keep the sax at the proper angle now, instead of playing it like a clarinet.

[@erichiss2470]

Sax holder pro is good if you are standing - uncomfortable if you are sitting down

[@ThomasHaehnlein]

Good point! I’d say if you can manage to have the saxophone at center position it’s fine, but if you have it on the right side it feels not very comfortable

[@pimeye]

Not great for a bari. Even if you think you have fitted it correctly then in a Big Band sitting forward to pick the horn off the sax stand, the strap moves forward. Also, it only has an open hook and it should have a snap hook.

[@LieuNoir]

@@pimeye I'm using the older version of the sax Holder, I wouldn't say it was "uncomfortable", but yes it is needed to readjust it regularly. the open hook has never annoyed me.

[@pimeye]

@@LieuNoir I was also using the older version, but when the bari is on the stand and you keep leaning forward to pick it up, it slips off my neck/shoulders. Fine if you are on alto (or tenor) but not bari. I have just bought the new one and will test it out at my next rehearsal.

[@CraigMcGorryMusic]

I have to share my experience with the Balam. I was all about it. I've had it for over 2 years. But, I was performing one day and my saxophone just started to drop! Luckily, I caught it. But, it wasn't the straps falling off. The actual hook broke. The hook appears metal, but is actually, I think, plastic. I've never had that happen with a neck strap, let alone one I paid that much money for. For now, I'm still using it, but with a carabiner hook on it. But, I'm searching for a new one because I don't trust the design. Also, when I inquired with the place I purchased it, they said they no longer even carry it because they've had customers have similar problems and Balam has not been responsive. So, for me, I'd never trust them again. Too bad. It's a good design otherwise, but if the thing that's so supposed to hold it is so cheaply made, that's not okay. It literally has one job!

[@ThomasHaehnlein]

Hey Craig, thanks for sharing! This is the nightmare of any saxophonist... Interesting to hear that this happened to you, I personally have not had any problems with my strap so far (after using it for around 3 years). Could it be that you had a version that didn't have the see-through plastic cover for the hook? If the metal ring of the saxophone and the metal hook of the strap come directly into contact, the softer metal will break at one point

[@deepframes-3danimationforp180]

So which one is the best now?

[@ThomasHaehnlein]

It really depends on your statue, your saxophone and for what you need the strap. But I think the best are the Balam, the jazzlab saxholder (if you’re not playing seated too often) and the Hooki Saxophone Strap if you’re only practicing at home and you’re not moving too much. If you don’t have any neck problems, I’d go for a regular neck strap though like the Just Joey‘s

[@LieuNoir]

there is no such thing as "the best one" 😉