Neck Straps

[twiles]

I am looking for a new neck strap that would work with an alto first and also double for a
soprano(maybe). I have seen these neckstraps called the worlds best neckstraps advertised on Ebay and at selmersaxman.com under accessories. They have two versions, one is a classic which is a basic 1.5 inche wide strap and the other one is called anatomical which seems to stretch further down on the back of your neck. Has anyone tried one of these? Do you have any other suggestions? :? :? :?
Thanks, Ted

[-j.]

I have a Brancher (that's the one Selmersaxman has on his website -- I guess mine is the anatomical one) that I use on my Ref. 54. I just did a quick check with my sop and alto, and the Brancher feels like it'd work just fine on those horns also (Mark VII and SA80II respectively). The thingy to adjust strap length with is operated quite easily and shouldn't give you excessive problems doubling. The hook, although open, on the Brancher is very secure too.

I switched to the Brancher from a Neotech; the latter felt comfy around the neck for sure, but I just didn't like the bouncing and stretching and adjusting of the strap after a while -- and then there were quite a few horror stories of Neotech hooks giving way and dropping precious Mark VIs to concrete floors... I like the stock strap that comes with the new Selmers and use one for sop and alto. The Mark VII is heavy, though, and I like the Brancher on tenor enough that I plan to get another one for my alto as soon as I can justify the expense to myself...

Hope this helps!

-j.

[DirkW]

I'm a big fan of the Neotech, which I use on alto, tenor, and bari. I find the "bounce" it gives a benefit by not jerking my neck when I'm moving around. It does require a steady hand if you like jumping around while playing. On soprano, I use a thin type, as it's more to steady the horn than to support weight. When playing multiple horns in a single venue, I wear both neckstraps, placing the soprano strap under the Neotech.

[Wolf Codera]

twiles,

I designed neck straps featuring two hooks for "total recall" of the desired positions of two instruments.

You do not have to pull these straps over your head. No readjustment is necessary once you've found a satisfying position.

Fixed and elastic neck parts are available.

There are pics on my website.

[singlereed]

Athough some people love them, Neotech straps can work against getting a firm sax/mouth position; you don't really want the mouthpiece going up and down relative to your mouth. I have used a BG strap for a while that has a 2" wide padded leather strip around the neck and a string to the sax, I like this as it doesn't get in the way too much. I find it comfortable with alto, sop and tenor. The plastic snap-hook has been reliable for me but I am aware there are those who have had plastic hooks break off, with disastrous consequences. Also beware the open metal hooks such as Selmer uses, I find it can fall off the sax when you take the weight off the strap.

[DirkW]

singlereed, you're right about the mouth/sax position being an issue. But for some of us, neck pain is also an issue. I know a couple players who've had to up bari and even tenor because of neck problems. Neck pain is a minor issue for me, and I want to keep it from being a major issue.