Gruv GearDUOSTRAP-NEO-BLK DuoStrap Neo,Black

*** Review update ***I am no longer using this strap because it requires the tension strap which has a plastic buckle (to adjust the size/tension) and that buckle does not allow me to use the original case for my favourite bass (it wont fit snugly and case wont close); so it has been sitting in an old less ideal case. The tension strap requires that I unscrew the strap peg in the body if I wanted to remove it. Just so much hassle and want to take care of my instruments. Really wanted to like this product...First off, this product and the idea for it is amazing and very much needed for people with neck, shoulder and other issues. So thank you Gruv Gear for putting this out there. I have owned this strap for a few months and want to share my experience with you before you buy it. Also GRuvGear if you are reading this improve your product.The good:- When set up correctly, it really does help redistribute the weight of your bass or heavy guitar between your two shoulders.- Great quality product, this is version 2 the NEO (So it's not all leather, the Signature is all leather but more expensive) but the price reflects that. Overall its made well.- Lots of notches to help set it up for your body and playing style.The bad:- no instructions on how to set it up, not even a hyperlink to a website or video. I had to watch a few videos on youtube to help me figure it out. (they have added this now to their website and should link it on the product label)- Unless you have the Dunlop Straplock this strap is a pain and a half to put on and take off. Why, because the bass/guitar will not fit any hardcase with it on, so you have to take the strap on and off (which is a big issue for me). Or you keep the bass/guitar out of the case with the strap on at all times, which is not an option for me.- I have some neck issues and was hoping this would help but the strap still sits on the back of my neck which is a bit disappointing. Less than conventional straps I should add though.The ugly:- this set is missing 2 essential hardware for using this strap!! WHY!? IT is such an expensive strap!- It is missing a nut like hardware called (Long Screw for DuoStrap ) that helps connect the two straps and its missing!! I had to order it from their official website and pay more than I expected to make this work (international shipping, blah blah).- They tell you that you can connect the upper part of the strap to the 'horn' of your bass/guitar. Absolute baloney! There is absolutely no way 99% of instruments out there can do this, it is not playable and not comfortable. I had to place a second order for the tension strap which cost me ever more time and money..- Which leads to the other missing part a (tension strap) or (Dunlop Straplok) which requires you to drill one part of the hardware into your bass/guitar.- While the straplok is a custom thing, sure the Tension Strap is an absolute MUST! but still missing from this set. I recommend that you purchase the Tension Strap (which doesn't require any drilling) and figure out where you like the strap to sit, once you figure this out and are using this strap all the time and really find it helpful, then consider the Straplock which ultimately is needed to make this strap easier to take on and off (which you need to do if you use hardcases).SO you need both a Tension Strap and a Long Screw to make this work out of the box and as intended but both are missing. This is why I docked these guys 2 stars for selling people an incomplete set and making the process so difficult for their customers.Conclusion:This is s a good strap and works mostly as advertised. However, it is missing essential hardware to make it work. Does someone sell you a bass/guitar without strings or pickups? No, and neither should these guys. GruvGear even if you have to raise the price, you need to include both the Longscrew and the TensionStrap with this Duo strap, no question about it!If you really need an ergonomic strap, practice or gig regularly, I still think you should give this a shot because there is no other product out there right now that can help with this issues. Just be aware of everything that I have shared with you based on my purchase and use of this product. I hope this in-depth review is helpful because when I was purchasing this, there were negative reviews but did not fully explain the issues as I have tried to do here. I think many ppl were confused because there was 2 missing hardware and not much help on how to set things up. Happy Playing!

Great product would recommend (10+ years playing guitar)

First, let's get the cons out of the way. This is not a strap that you put it on, adjust the length and off you go. It takes a while to adjust; not just the strap, but you. However, it is well worth the time. Second, it is a relatively short strap. Normally I have trouble finding a strap that will adjust short enough - I have the DuoStrap let out most of the way. If you play mid- to low-slung bass, you'll either need the extension or need to learn to play in proper position. That's it for the "bad" stuff.So, starting with looks, this is a very good looking strap. I really wanted the leather version, but wasn't ready to spring that kind of money for an experiment. I was pleasantly surprised at how well made the Neo is, and how good it looks.I had a question about how difficult this strap is to use. Answer, it's as hard to use as a regular strap. Pick up the bass, put it on, done.Next, the purpose of the strap, which is to distribute the weight. It certainly does that well once it is adjusted properly. Initial adjustment is a little awkward, because it is a completely different geometry. A regular strap moves around your body diagonally - if you raise the head, it moves closer to your body. Lower the head, it moves away. You can sling your instrument all the way around to your back if you want. When you use the DuoStrap the bass moves like a propeller - perpendicular to your body (your rock-star bass slinging days are over!).So, it just feels odd at first, which in my case meant I adjusted it to feel as "right" as I could, which wasn't really the best location. After playing for a while, I started adjusting things a little at a time, and now it is very comfortable. Those three or four tweaks took a couple of weeks, and the strap has really moved a lot from my initial adjustment.Here's the best part: yes, you can still move the bass around. However, wherever you put it, it will stay there. Which means you can take both hands off the instrument, move around and the bass will be right where you left it. Great for making notes, turning pages or picking up the tuner you just dropped. You can actually put the bass on and carry other stuff (like your stand and music). You don't need to hold on to the instrument. It's like putting on a jacket - you just don't need to worry about it any more. I've also found that solidity means I'm able to relax my left hand grip. I didn't notice that until I used my "normal" strap and the bass slipped out of my hand.All in all, well worth the time and effort.

Overall this looks well crafted and durable. It’s a little tricky to setup at first, but online video helped. I’m tall, play a fender jazz bass, and had to order the extended tail piece. With the standard strap it sat way too high on me.If they are going to say it’s for a bass, they should have the extension strap as standard.It does improve the balance and reduces back strain. I tried wrapping the second strap end around the horn, but it wouldn’t stay located due to the short horn. I got a longer wood screw and a washer, and replaced one of the neck screws, to hook the second strap to. Works pretty well, and sits properly for my hands. Overall very happy with it.

It is very good quality, but you need to buy separeted pieces to install it. I had to ask my luthier to install it for me.