A Great Neck Strap

[Morry]

Ok, I didn't want to post until I was sure about it, but I just want to say that the Brancher straps that saxforte.com is selling are fantastic. WW&BW had them too, but only in one size. It's a double loop type that adjusts very smoothly, and the hook is very deep and plastic coated, to insure a safe, secure connection to the horn.

The cushioned part is a little like a Neotech on the underside, but it is topped with leather, so it's comfortable, but doesn't bouce.

For $40, I'm very impressed.

[saxforte]

Thank-you for your kind comments Morry.

Please note that the top material that carries the weight of the sax and distributes it over the neoprene layer is a thin leather-like synthetic non-stretch material. It is not leather.

We have tested leather prototypes of the saxforte strap and the leather is either too thick to look and feel good, or... it is too thin to prevent it from stretching. If it stretches, it allows the bounce that the Neotech straps do. Vertical stretch is a great way to bloody your lip if you ever swing your mouthpiece into position quickly as the strap strethces. Not my idea of an ideal set-up.

Regards,

Mathew Aaron
http://www.saxforte.com
864 449-4444

[Morry]

I stand corrected. It certainly looks and feels leather-like. Great strap. The hook is especially nice.

[lead52]

I just want to second Morry in his feeling: I received mine a few days ago and it is probably the best strap I've used so far: really good combination of security, comfort and "good-looking".
Quite off topic here, but let me say that Mathew's service at saxforte is very good and shipping oversea very fast (I live in Europe)... that's it!

[UMBari]

What amazing customer service...I ordered the Brancher neck strap Saturday, received it today. This is unprecedented speed as far as I am concerned. Oh yeah...the strap is great, and will replace my dejacques strap.

Thank you, Matt! You provide excellent products and back them with first-class service.

-Vee Popat

[mark_m]

Ditto on service - great stuff.

I ordered one of the X-Large straps and returning it because it just doesn't fit me that well - all the weight of the sax is carried by the inside edge of the pad, and the outer edge doesn't contact my neck/shoulders at all. Beautiful construction, though, and I'm thinking about whether to try one of the traditional shaped versions. All straps should be so well-made.

[Morry]

I, too, wish I had bought the classic shaped strap. I'm a big guy with a relatively short neck so, in my case, the anatomical shape isn't.

[woodwindmaster06]

I love the neotech straps anything better would be unheardof

[Morry]

Don't say that until you try one of these. The hook alone is worth the money.

[Kosma]

Looks like a good strap. The curved one looks like the Oleg.
For me, the hook is the only reason I wouldn't buy one. I don't use straps without a spring clip. I never dropped a horn, but I've come close too many times from the hook falling off.

[Morry]

Man, it would be very hard for this hook to come loose. It is VERY deep, and has just barely enough clearance to pull it off the sax.

[mark_m]

Yes the hook is a work of art, perfect for me. And the cords are super heavy, the whole thing is done without much holding back.

[Scaper]

Are these neck, or shoulder straps?

[Morry]

Neck. See link below:

http://saxforte.com/accessories/play/saxforte_straps/saxforte_straps.html

[super20dan]

i still like the paul brodie neck strap best. it has the best adjusting slider i have ever seen on a neck strap .no way it can slip

[JJK]

I just ordered a classic model yesterday after having some serious issues with my Neotech (see Neotech Disaster page in the Misc. Accesories section)... looks pretty sturdy in the pics I've seen and the hook on it looks like just what the doc ordered... no more flimsy plastic clamps with short hooks for me..... Will be interesting to see if it works better or not...... I'll know soon enough! :)

[mark_m]

I would have ordered a classic but they recommended I not, based on my neck size, which is around 16", certainly not bear-like or anything. Anyway I was told the metal pivots at the end of the neck pad might abrade my collarbones. If your neck size is anything like mine, let me know how it goes.

The hook on the Brancher is definitely my pick from what I've seen, a deep, narrow, strong, open hook. I think I could use such a strap for bari and tenor...

On my Neotech bari harness (which is very comfy), I replaced the plastic hook with a similar brass one from the hardware store, via a sturdy keyring. This has worked fine, seems very secure. I'd read last year about plastic hooks breaking and didn't want anything to do with that...

[Gregg W. Jackson]

How do the Brancher straps that Saxforte sells differ from the normal Brancher straps?

[Tenor66]

A Brancher strap is a Brancher strap!

The only difference is that Saxforte caries all of the different sizes not just one size as WWBW.
The added bonus is that Saxforte is a class act!

[Rick]

What size is the Brancher neck strap at wwbw.com?

[Morry]

I think WW&BW only usually stocks the Large. Being a larger guy, I like the XL on tenor and bari. I bought a Small that works great on my curved soprano. I'll probably get a Large to use with my alto too.