When you play a guitar, you should be able to concentrate on the music, not on trying to hold the guitar. If you always play sitting down, you don’t have to use a strap. But if you ever intend to play standing up, a good acoustic guitar strap is essential.
Guitar straps can be attached two different ways. First of all, your guitar should have a strap button on the bottom. That’s where one end of the strap will attach. The differences arise when attaching the other end of the strap. Some guitars have another button on the “heel” of the guitar—that’s where the neck attaches to the body. If your guitar has one already, then you are good to go. If not, you can install one yourself (or have it installed by a guitar technician). The other option is to tie the strap to the neck.
Acoustic guitar straps are made of many different materials, so you should have no trouble finding one that matches your preferences. There are many variations, but the most common straps basically come down to nylon or leather. If you want to get something more exotic, you can also find suede, fur, tweed, cotton and even poly webbing. The main goal is to find a strap that is both comfortable and durable. If you can’t find exactly the right strap, you can also get a completely unique strap custom made.
Acoustic guitar straps are sold under many different brands. In terms of durability and value for your money, the top three strap manufacturers are Gibson, Martin and Fender. Of course, you can also locate straps made by other manufacturers. There is no particular reason to choose one manufacturer over the other, as long as your strap is comfortable to wear and holds your instrument without failing.
Your local music shop should have a selection of straps for sale. You can find an even wider variety by shopping online music stores or even through auction sites like eBay.
