Width first: a wide strap spreads the weight and is the difference between comfort and shoulder ache on a bass. Then length, then whether the ends are secure enough that the instrument cannot slip off.
Width carries the weight
A narrow strap concentrates the load on a small area of shoulder. For anything heavier than a light electric, that becomes uncomfortable within half an hour.
Length decides posture
Too long and the fretting hand has to reach; too short and the strumming arm is cramped. Adjustable range matters more than any specific figure.
The ends are the failure point
Cheap ends stretch and slip off the button. Strap locks or a simple rubber washer over the button are the fix, and both cost almost nothing.
The questions players ask
What width for a bass?
Wider than for a guitar. The Rocktile bass in our catalog ships with a 5 cm (2 in) nylon strap adjustable between 83 and 142 cm (55.9 in), which is a sensible reference.
Are strap locks worth it?
They stop the strap coming off the button, which is how instruments end up on the floor. They are inexpensive and they are the only real protection against that.
Last reviewed 2026-08-18