How High Should Your Guitar Strap Be?

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[seanfolk]

I think one thing that isn't mentioned here is practice. The most important word to describe how these guys can play this stuff live. They practice it, and probably wrote it, standing. I play and write solos differently because of that, so when I'm noodling in my chair or whatever, and I switch to practice for the band, I stand. Because wether it's practice or a show, I'm standing. The muscle memory is different, similar, but different. This also does include the Rule of Cool however, because I wear my guitars pretty damn low on stage. With a traditional/thrash band like mine, that look is a part of the band. It's different if you go see a prog band, you expect it. But you're absolutely correct when you say it looks weird when you (not to single you out, I do just mean any one member) has their strap at an obviously different height. That product is a cool solution for the issue though, good to know that exists, I know a couple people that could benefit.

[katzensprung]

Very interesting and helpful video. Thank you very much, Justin!

[viruscerbero]

Wow! I didn't expect that strap trick! or the belly trick! 😂

[EL_DUDERIN]

Hey sick guitar, I was just watching Kiko clips with that thing! So anyways I've been a tall skinny guy most of my life, and believe me it still doesn't help lol. If you want to put your guitar low and look cool just play punk rock.. Kiko and Gilbert are freaks, don't worry about them. But if you really want to do it, you can put your left foot up on the monitor for solos.

Also side note, I've still been listening to a lot of Eternity's End and it really rocks.

[carvinieri]

the most important thing is muscle tension. Especially the right hand, biceps, forearm. When you hold the guitar low there is no proper muscle tension. Look at John Petrucci. THIS is the perfect position. Mine too

[warhumml]

I think Strats are the most comfortable guitars while sitting down. When standing up I prefer V of even X shaped guitars. You can play them low, headband and perform on stage and still be very comfortable reaching high frets and stuff like that. By the way you can ancor them between your legs. And Practicing while standing up helps a lot...so get your your flabby butts of the couch and shred like your on stage ;)

[CharlesEBusa]

How can they play such incredible stuff with the guitar "so low/solo." Nice! I see what you did there ;)
Personally, I need to hold it pretty high. I don't care if it looks nerdy. Whatever works and gets the job done is fine by me.
I've also found that arm length, as well as finger length, especially your fretting pinky, play a huge part in how low you can hold your guitar. Paul Gilbert has pinkies that are probably as long as most people's index fingers. Try playing an F add 9 with the root on the 6th string on 25.5" scale length guitar. It's a bitch for many guitar players, unless they have those alien-long pinkies.
Shred on!

[mortemorphosis]

That’s genious! Will ger one…just got the Rok Lok. Also genious for fast strap changes…

[Esma_A]

You play in a Megadeth tribute band?!?! Cool, gotta see that live

[zynosgd]

I'm very slim and also have long arms, I still prefer a high-strapped guitar. It feels more natural for my leads.

[denmut]

Justin, I have a question about the Kiko100. I am planning to buy it bit I am worried about 2 things; the lack of arm contour and the volume knob being too close to the picking hand. Did you have problems about these 2 things? Cheers

[G-NutZ]

Lots of factors that dictate where your strap is set. Body comp sure, but playing style as well. Power chord punk riffs low on the neck you can play low, Metallica rhythms down stroking, low is doable, hitting the tornado of souls solo? might want it a bit higher to play that comfortably, results may vary lol 😂

[FairosMior]

Thanks for this, man. My body shape is similar to yours, so this video absolutely makes sense to me.

Sadly my playing is nowhere near yours.😭

[herbst]

Aktuell, genau mein Thema!!! Vielen vielen Dank

[Ottophil]

I like to be high. But my guitar has to be low. Thats how i learned in the 90’s. Duct taped 2 straps together

[ToneD]

Cool beans! Capital Idea 💡
Thanks for sharing...!!!✌️

[noname]

Just have the guitar height to whatever is comfortable for the player. What's comfortable for me probably won't be comfortable for you.

[mrcl_]

I play papa Het style, i even bought a Bass strap so i can go even lower 🤣 Its part of my bands show to have it low, practicing i have it a bit more up. but still low, since i wanna learn it when it hangs low, so i need to practice like that aswell 😅

[AkosKovacs.Author.Musician]

And then there's Nuno Betterncourt, who can play with the guitar even lower. Shows how the technique you perfect sitting not necessary translate well to standing position if your instrument is just a touch lower.
(Speaking from experience.)

[keyboardwarria]

paul has insanely long fingers so it's really easy for him. Notice that paul has his thumb over the neck like 90% of the time even when shredding on the low strings past the 12 fret. Kiko isn't as tall nor are his fingers as long but still has pretty big hands. I see his wrist is bent a lot of times, that should be painful but he never complains about pain. It's really a mystery with kiko

I followed Buckethead a lot and during the 2000s and he had his guitar pretty low. He has almost paul gilbert fingers so he could get away with it but recently he started bringing the guitar more up because of back pain