Walt Johnson over the shoulder neckstrap???

[Smokin' Joe]

Has anyone tried this neckstrap. I know B&G has an over the shoulder version as well. I have a video of Lenny Pickett playing with an over the sholder strap, but I don't know what brand it is. Any pros and cons corcerning over the shoulder straps???
Thanks

[Bill Mecca]

Joe, I haven't played the WJ strap, but have used a Spinstrap over the shoulder for years. they take a bit of getting used to, but once you do its hard to go back to a neck strap.

Pickett used to use a leather, custom made over the shoulder strap that also went around his waist. He used that when he was into wearing all black, not sure what he is using now, SNL doesn't leave him on screen nearly long enough....(actually if they taped th commercial breaks I would rather watch them ;-D)

[Smokin' Joe]

I agree....I bought the Rocco Prestia live at Bass Day '98. It's the most Lenny I've ever seen on video. He's using the shoulder strap. BTW, it's a good very laid back jam session video.

[Morry]

They showed a shot of Lenny on SNL tonight, and it looks like he is wearing either the Walt Johnson or Neotech harnesses. Definitely not a regular strap.

[Smokin' Joe]

Morry...Does the Neotech go across your chest like a harness or is it like a marching snare drum strap? BTW,did you ever purchase the pro tech stand? If so, would you recommend it?

[Morry]

Yeah, the pics on WW&BW for the Neotech seem to look a lot like the WJ.

I haven't gotten one of those cool Pro-tec folding stands yet, but I plan to. My friend who owns the store owes me a few bucks for ebay expenses where I've been listing some horns for him, so I may just get him to comp me a stand. I'll let you know.

The best stand currently made, bar none, is the "Gig" brand stand from the UK, but it just doesn't fold too well.

[Smokin' Joe]

I've never heard of the Gig brand stand. I'll have to search for it online.

[Morry]

Here are pictures of Lenny and what he's wearing.

http://www.bumpcity.com/eventphotos/lebarbat92302/pages/LennyPickett5.html

http://www.bumpcity.com/eventphotos/bbkings1102/pages/P1011035.html

[Smokin' Joe]

Thanks for the pics Morry. The harness looks a little uncomfortable...I could be wrong though. On the Rocco video it just looks like the strap goes over one shoulder and under his other arm...if you can picture that.

[Tim Price]

The harness Lenny is wearing is a BG or Lebayle. Both are very similar.
Hope this helps.

[Paul Coats]

Tony Dagradi (band Astral Project, and former Sax Journal columnist), Rebecca Berry, and some other New Orleans area saxophonists are using the Spin Strap, and say this type of strap is really easy on the back and shoulders, and especially good for people experiencing neck pain.