Accordion straps

[JerryPH]

Ive been doing a little research on accordion straps because I am going to be upgrading the ones on my accordions. Long story short, Ive decided to look into Italcinte straps and have contacted them, however in their catalog, they have this really weird looking set of straps that they call the Alexander Technique and state that this is the best kind of strap for larger/heavier accordions in terms of having proper weight control and ergonomics.

Has anyone actually used these and did you find that they were as good as they state?

One can do a search on eBay for accordion straps alexander technique and see a good photo of it, and to see how they work, one can visit the Italcinte website, download the catalog and look on page 9.

So... invaluable to saving your back or just a gimmick?

 

[Zevy]

<FONT font=Garamond><SIZE size=125>Jerry -
This company seems to have everything and anything that one would need in the category of accessories for the accordion. They also seem to be of fine quality. However, as with everything related to the accordion, I would not invest money in this unless you can try one out before purchasing. With the proper fit, one can be very comfortable. I know an accordion player who is a virtuoso, but even though he is in his 80s, he is still having a hard time with the straps. I just spent a long time myself refitting my straps on my new accordion; it takes a while to get the perfect fit.
So: If you have a dealer or teacher who can walk you through the straps- fitting process, go that route.
Good luck!

 

[JerryPH]

I dont have issues properly fitting straps to me, but I do know when they arent doing what they are supposed to.

The Hohner I have now already has 3 wide straps but is showing some signs of wear, but still quite usable and the Neotech straps on my Elka are a royal PITA, they are relegated to emergency spares while the ones on the Hohner now go on the Elka. I wanted nice 4 straps on the Hohner and in the end, moving from 3 to 4 is going to be very comfortable for me.

Sadly, Italcinte lost my business because they did not have the style of shoulder strap that I wanted in a 4 width and on top of it, to paraphrase, they dont sell to the general public and recommended me to someone that did not have one set of Italcinte shoulder straps in stock, but could order them if I wished to wait 3-5 weeks. Uhmmm... no, thanks.

What I really wanted were straps that were 4 wide for at least 10 or thereabouts so that the weight would be distributed not just at the top of my shoulders, but over a wider area at least 10 down, near my shoulder blades. Italcintes #308 4 straps looked great, but were 4 inches wide for less than 2 inches (they went wide and then narrow too fast), not giving me much comfort advantages. All their other ones were between 3 to 3-1/4 wide. They had a set that was 3-3/4 wide, if I would have accepted a velvet backing (no thanks!).

I thought I would have to go custom-built for a few minutes before I found someone that had just what I was looking for in stock.

The ones that I picked up are full leather front and rear, thick padding, and move from 1 to 4 wide fairly quickly and stay at 4 wide for about 12 before narrowing down and include an integrated adjustable back strap (which I enjoy using). On top of that, the company where I made the purchase at were a pleasure to talk to and really listened to what I wanted before offering me a couple of options. I was not sure about the shape of the straps, so they even took a quick cell phone picture of the straps and texted me a quick text message with the included picture for me to see before spending the money.

Here is the photo I received that shows the straps a bit:

http://syner-g.asuscomm.com/mymusic/files/4inchstraps.jpg>

I expect to have the new straps in about a week or so!

 

[smdc66]

I found someone that had just what I was looking for in stock.

The ones that I picked up are full leather front and rear, thick padding, and move from 1 to 4 wide fairly quickly and stay at 4 wide for about 12 before narrowing down and include an integrated adjustable back strap (which I enjoy using). On top of that, the company where I made the purchase at were a pleasure to talk to and really listened to what I wanted before offering me a couple of options. I was not sure about the shape of the straps, so they even took a quick cell phone picture of the straps and texted me a quick text message with the included picture for me to see before spending the money.

would you mind sharing the sellers details as i would like some comfortable straps, and i have noticed mine have frayed at stress points - which concerns me in case they break one day :shock:

my 72 bass is not really heavy but some good quality new straps, although unsure how much these are would probably be a good investment and improvement -

 

[Soulsaver]

Hi Dave - Albeit he could be buying from Cambridge UK for all I know, Jerry is in Canada and drives a whopping Hohner Morino. You could try Neotechs which would be fine & eminently suitable/adjustable for you and your size of accordion; or Allodi has a good range & good value straps. http://www.accordions.co.uk/Accessories.htm

 

[JerryPH]

You know, I found about 3 places in the UK with good straps, but after doing the calculations for costs, currency exchange, shipping, brokerage fees, taxes and what not, I was enticed to try to look a little closer (but I would have bought from the UK if I found nothing to my liking elsewhere), so I found a place that quite literally had one pair left in stock in Warren Michigan, USA. Company name is Castiglion Accordion Distributing Company, and I had the pleasure of speaking to John C. himself.

Now if you really wanted a set like this I am sure they could get more, but as Soulsaver mentioned, most people can use something less robust or cheaper and still get all they need from a pair of straps. Were talking an accordion for me thats a whopping 31 pounds (14.06kg)... kind of like having a elephant sitting in your lap while trying to play... lol

If it matters to anyone, I paid $150US plus shipping for the straps (they asked if I wanted a tracking number and I said yes to it). The Italcinte straps were roughly the same price, but still not exactly what I wanted, so well worth it for me.

BTW, a lot of people like the Neotech... but I hated them. I have them right now on my Elka, and no matter how nice and tight I cinch them up, the neoprene has a natural tendancy to stretch and the accordion moves around. Frustrating. Now thats only my opinion, there are way more positive reviews than bad ones in favor of these shoulder straps.

 

[Zevy]

<FONT font=Garamond><SIZE size=125>Jerry -
I bought my straps, as well as my Beltuna accordion, from John. I even removed those straps and inserted them on my new accordion. He has a large selection, as well as a broad knowledge, of everything related to the accordion. You made a good choice.
Good luck!

 

[JerryPH]

Thanks for the confirmation, Zery, it bodes well when someone else gives the thumbs up about the reputation of another retailer.

 

[george garside]

I would simply recommend the broadest well padded straps that you can afford irrespective of the size of box.( I use 3.5 inch an a 48 bass). Wide padded straps don't make the box any lighter but they make it feel lighter!

 

[Deleted member 48]

I prefer simple brown leather shoulder straps of different broadness, according to size and weight of the accordion.

But I must confess also using 1 pair of Steirisch Harmonika shoulder straps with flowers motive, received with a second hand French Maugein accordion.
http://www.volksmusikstadl.com/Stei...VMS-Harmonikariemen-Edelweiss-Star-gruen.html
The Steirisch shoulder straps are very comfortable to wear.

Bit kinky these ones: brown vintage extravagant
http://www.volksmusikstadl.com/Stei...onikariemenset-Extravagant-Brown-Vintage.html

 

[EMan]

I took a look at those "Alexander Style STraps" - Wow are those strange, at least to someone who has used conventional straps for 62 years. Those might be really comfortable, but look more like something from a 13th century torture chamber.

I too bought my recent pair of straps and a bass strap from Castiglione in Michigan. John seemed helpful and knowledgeable.

Funny talking about straps, I was recently reading that book by the fellow who runs the "accordion revival" site. Interesting and educational book. At one point he talks about the "correct" way to set up the shoulder straps. I have been playing 62 of my 68 years and have never been uncomfortable with my accordion on. When I played professionally, I never sat; couldn't bear sitting with the accordion on my knee; always stood up, even when I played 2 gigs a day on weekends. But according to his book I'm not wearing it according to his definition of correct. While his explanation sounds not only plausible, but sensible, my chin is over the corner of the treble keyboard vs the middle of the black keys and I am very comfortable with it in that position.

Anyway, I have found Castiglione's straps comfortable standing up. I play a full size Guerrini from the 60's; so it's not the lightest accordion around. If there were a place nearby with them, I would love to try the Alexander, but short of trying them first, I don't think I would purchase a set.

Ed

 

[JerryPH]

I didn't have a budget for myself (whatever it cost to get what I wanted was what I would pay). For a general recommendation telling someone to just go use the widest straps available might not be the best idea. I know some people that 3" isn't wide enough (that's where I am), and others where a 2.5" strap was too wide... both on the same accordion model and 2 different people. It really isn't as simple as walking in to a store and walking out with the widest straps available. It helps to have a good idea of what the needs are, the accordion size and weight, the width of the player's shoulders, their weight and physical make and of course personal traits and preferences. I will agree that a wider strap at the shoulder does distribute the weight over a larger area making it "feel" lighter overall.

Knowing yourself and what you need and want makes the decision so much easier and the final results way better than just saying "give me the biggest and widest that you have!" If not sure, I can see where the suggestion to try before you buy being very beneficial for best results can become.

BTW, just as a little aside, looking online at how Italcinte makes their straps and the materials that they use internally vs what the insides of my factory original 3" wide Hohner straps are leads me to a bit of a surprising conclusion... personal opinion time, but I feel that the Hohner straps are a much better quality in terms of the materials used for the filling!

Where Italcinte uses 2-3 layers of a medium stiffness open cell foam that over time will normally compresses and lose it's shape or density. The Hohner straps come with 3 different densities of materials (no foam at all anywhere), that doesn't lose it's shape or density even after 45 years. Looking at their current shape today after being on the accordion for so long, their shape, firmness and softness is is still like new and had I not used a back strap, the biggest indicators of wear would not be visible, except for the one place where the soft leather tore away from the wider central strap right at the widest area due to the stresses of decades of use (that's why I can see what they used inside).

This is also one of the reasons I didn't want velvet or cloth straps, they wouldn't last a couple of years with me before tearing because of the weight of my accordion and how I set up my straps.

Anyway, just a little personal observation that kind of surprised me last night as I was looking over things.

 

[Zevy]

<FONT font=Garamond><SIZE size=125>I found that some straps would stain my white shirt, so I bought padded straps where the padding itself is made of white material, and the leather is sewn on top of that. They are also very wide; I think Castiglione has them listed as Elephant Straps.
As an aside, I also ordered a very wide bass strap from Mr. Castiglione. I believe it spreads the tension that is demanded of the wrist.
Good luck again.

 

[JIM D.]

Hi EMan;
I see you have purchased a quality set of accordion straps and purchased them from a well known and reputable dealer.
My ?? here is why you didn't ask a ? here on the forum before purchasing?
Please before your next purchase- post what you need, as we have members here on the forum that are dealers and because of professional courtesy we don't and will not use this site for advertisement , but in all cases will answer to you in a private PM.

 

[EMan]

Jim D.

It's pretty obvious that I joined the forum only 4 days ago. As far as answering questions about what is available in a private PM, I really think it would have been more appropriate for your post to have been in a private PM

 

[JerryPH]

The green ones with the Edelweiss are very nice, but the brown vintage looking ones are gorgeous and show some nice extra work in them!

 

[smdc66]

as i mentioned i have noticed my accordion straps now have several cracks on the inside - exposing
the interior white stuffing/liner - this worries me in case they break in future
if left to deteriorate

they are italcinte ones 1 3/4 inch wide and appear to be approx 45 inches and 40
inches long and have the buckle strap ends

I would like to increase the comfort so probably am thinking 3 to 4 inches with padding would be good

maybe need to be more accurate with measurements as these seem to tally with 120 bass strap although mine
is 72 bass (see profile pic) :?

these straps are not the original ones that came with this one as they frayed badly and i exchanged them with straps from another accordion

 

[JerryPH]

A lot also will depend on your size. If you are 5'-2" and 130lbs, these straps will likey be overkill, however, if you are 5'-10" and larger, these will fit you.

For me, well, I must admit, these straps have quite the personality... when new and not yet installed on the accordion, they are very stiff, and even once on, try their best to be straight... lol

However, once adjusted initially, and with the weight in place, I have to admit, they are quite comfortable. I did not think I would like the placement of the integrated backstrap, but it is fairly easy to get on and off and it supports well. I would ideally want my back strap a couple inches lower than where this integrated one is placed, but that is more on the nit-picking side. It holds the straps in place and functions well.

The one thing I will say is... I don't know for whom they were initially were designed, but these straps can accommodate some REALLY big men! I am 5'-10" and 230 lbs and the straps are within 1 hole of being at their tightest EVERYWHERE, so I do have room to go one tighter once after they break in (I did cinch them up tighter than normal so I may not need to do anything except let them break in over a longer length of time). I bet that a 6'-6" and 300-350 pound man can fit under these straps if let out to their longest!

Comfort is a bit better than the 3" Hohner straps even though the Hohner straps were luxuriantly soft and pliable. I can feel the width of these shoulder straps and I can feel the weight spread out over a larger area. They *do* feel good!

I definitely am happy with my purchase. I'll come back and post another opinion after they have broken in and settled down. For now, I have to give them a thumbs up, but because of their stiffness, it may take a month or two for them to settle in, but in the meantime, they are what I would have to say as being a very good purchase and I am happy with them.

 

[smdc66]

A lot also will depend on your size. If you are 5-2 and 130lbs, these straps will likey be overkill, however, if you are 5-10 and larger, these will fit you.

I did not think I would like the placement of the integrated backstrap, but it is fairly easy to get on and off and it supports well.

sounds like our builds are similar, although i will buy more locally

i know what you mean with backstrap as i sort of made my own and as a result is not fixed which means i can adjust the position on strap (well it may adjust itself )

actually i notice your backstrap have metal interlocking circles - mine is plastic push in connector type - are these easier to use - i often dont use mine as much as id like to as find it difficult to fasten and sometimes feel cramps in my arms trying

 

[Zevy]

as i mentioned i have noticed my accordion straps now have several cracks on the inside - exposing
the interior white stuffing/liner - this worries me in case they break in future
if left to deteriorate

<FONT font=Garamond><SIZE size=125><COLOR color=#0040FF>My straps have many breaks in the material as well. I think that as long as the leather, which carries the actual weight and support of the instrument, is intact, one shouldnt worry. The rest is all aesthetics.