I have a couple of heavy bass guitars which really hurt my left shoulder after a while, so I looked for a way to balance the weight between both shoulders.
I tried some commercial cross straps but the best solution I found is just using 2 regular straps (I saw Michael Manring using it).
Here's how:
- use one strap just as usual
- with your guitar on, attach the second strap to the tail pin (I have Straplocks on the bass shown in the photos, so I put the second strap underneath the first one; if you don't have Straplocks it's easier to put it on top)
- this second strap needs to be adjusted longer than usual
- pass the second strap over your belly, than around your left flank and across your back to reach over your right shoulder (I'm assuming you're right-handed)
- attach the second strap to the horn pin
Some notes:
- the instrument stays in the "usual" position, just like with a single strap (unlike some harnesses i tried, which kept my bass in an awkward position)
- it's easy to adjust the strap to the right length
- it's stable and keeps your instrument in place, but at the same time you can adjust the position without even fiddling with the strap length
- on some pins it's hard to fit two straps: you may need to find straps with thin ends, or longer pins
- it seems awkward at first, but after a bit of practice, you can learn to put the strap on without even detach it (hint: you need to "rotate" it over the horn pin, I'm sorry but I don't know how to show this with a photo)
