Butta Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 I am looking for a guitar strap for my 2013 ES-335 with a nitro finish. I am having a hard time finding options that may work...based on my research I believe I can only pick either a cotton or leather strap. I stumbled across Gibson’s straps here: https://www.gibson.com/Gear/Straps I am interested in the Mosaic strap but am really curious what materials all the straps use. It looks like they are lined with a leather backing. Can all of these straps be used on a 335 with a nitro finish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 I would think so, it would be stupid of Gibson to sell a strap that would burn the finish. Even so, it would hurt to ask them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 (edited) You will get circular swirl marks on the heal of your ES-335 guitar where the strap attaches no matter how careful you are. It happened to my BB King. All my straps are leather. I like Levy's straps. Quality and not that expensive. Edited January 28, 2020 by Sgt. Pepper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Sgt. Pepper said: I like Levy's strap. Quality and not that expensive. Ditto! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tx-ogre Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 Another vote here for Levy’s straps. I have several straps, including a custom made strap, but like my black leather Levy the best. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butta Posted January 28, 2020 Author Share Posted January 28, 2020 Awesome, thank you all for the suggestions... I didn’t realize how picky the nitro finishes could be until I started looking for straps! I’m thinking of getting some Dunlop strap locks to go with the strap. I assume that Levy straps are compatible with the strap locks? As far as installing them on the guitar, do you think there may be any concerns about the post sticking out the back of the body where the strap button currently is? Are installing strap locks on a 335 pretty standard? I have some on my Carvin and really like them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 (edited) 12 hours ago, Butta said: Awesome, thank you all for the suggestions... I didn’t realize how picky the nitro finishes could be until I started looking for straps! I’m thinking of getting some Dunlop strap locks to go with the strap. I assume that Levy straps are compatible with the strap locks? As far as installing them on the guitar, do you think there may be any concerns about the post sticking out the back of the body where the strap button currently is? Are installing strap locks on a 335 pretty standard? I have some on my Carvin and really like them. I used Grolsch grommets when I had electrics. No mod required. Just by beer. Edited January 28, 2020 by Sgt. Pepper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 On 1/28/2020 at 12:57 AM, Butta said: Awesome, thank you all for the suggestions... I didn’t realize how picky the nitro finishes could be until I started looking for straps! I’m thinking of getting some Dunlop strap locks to go with the strap. I assume that Levy straps are compatible with the strap locks? As far as installing them on the guitar, do you think there may be any concerns about the post sticking out the back of the body where the strap button currently is? Are installing strap locks on a 335 pretty standard? I have some on my Carvin and really like them. I use Dunlop Dual Design locks and they're fine. Pretty popular. I have them in my 335. In Nickel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butta Posted February 1, 2020 Author Share Posted February 1, 2020 Thanks everyone for the ideas! I ended up ordering a levy’s all cotton strap with some Dunlop nickel straplocks. So excited to get them installed once they arrive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grog Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 Here is an example of a Gibson leather strap (possibly made by Levy) leaving a mark on my ES Les Paul Bass. I left the strap hang on the side of the guitar like I usually did with no consequences. This time it left a mark almost right away. I now leave the strap hang off the back a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Grog said: Here is an example of a Gibson leather strap (possibly made by Levy) leaving a mark on my ES Les Paul Bass. I left the strap hang on the side of the guitar like I usually did with no consequences. This time it left a mark almost right away. I now leave the strap hang off the back a bit. So Gibson's own products react with their own guitars. Nice. So Steve there goes your theory out the window. I guess if its gonna happen its gonna happen. No matter if the strap is on for an entire gig or 5 mins. I think all my Martins have nitro finishes and I leave them in my Hercules stands whenever they are not in my hands with no barrier between the guitar and the stand like a lot of people do. I know the issue is a strap, but nitro supposedly reacts to any and everything. Never had a ill effect. You obviously did and I've heard of it happening and it comes up all the time. I guess you can call Gibson and talk to them. I'm sure they are just gonna tell you "it happens its nitro". Bummer. Plus Gibson fans are unwilling to give up their nitro finished guitars and they tout it as the best lacquer. Edited February 1, 2020 by Sgt. Pepper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grog Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 (edited) I can't say what brand strap caused this. I bought this Bourbon Burst ES Les Paul used. The previous owner must have tucked his strap around the contour of the guitar in the case & left it for an extended period of time. The binding was discolored pretty noticeably by it. I was able to rub some of it out but not all of it. Another example of what not to do...…. Edited February 1, 2020 by Grog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 (edited) 55 minutes ago, Grog said: I can't say what brand strap caused this. I bought this Bourbon Burst ES Les Paul used. The previous owner must have tucked his strap around the contour of the guitar in the case & left it for an extended period of time. The binding was discolored pretty noticeably by it. I was able to rub some of it out but not all of it. Another example of what not to do...…. It's it a Gibson guitar and doesn't the strap say Gibson on it or am I reading it wrong? Or did it happen with a different strap? Edited February 1, 2020 by Sgt. Pepper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted February 1, 2020 Share Posted February 1, 2020 I would be on the horn to Gibson if one of their straps damaged the finish on my guitar. That is total bullsh*t. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grog Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 The bass I bought new, it was marked with a new Gibson strap. The guitar I bought used, the finish reaction was on the binding before I bought it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 I have a bunch of cheapie suede-backed straps from Guitar Center and one fancy schmancy one for the Martin (brand unknown but also from Guitar Center). I play it safe and either store guitars with the straps off or resting on top of that case shroud they used to use. I suppose that's what the shroud was for although it always makes me think of old Dracula movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 2, 2020 Share Posted February 2, 2020 (edited) 7 hours ago, SteveFord said: I have a bunch of cheapie suede-backed straps from Guitar Center and one fancy schmancy one for the Martin (brand unknown but also from Guitar Center). I play it safe and either store guitars with the straps off or resting on top of that case shroud they used to use. I suppose that's what the shroud was for although it always makes me think of old Dracula movies. Mine are in stands for easy access. I mostly sit and play on my futon and do not need a strap much. I have a D'addario Kiss Rock And Roll Over strap my wife bought me years ago for Xmas and a Levy's one with a lightning bolt on it. Ages ago when I had about 12 guitars I damn near had a strap for every one, and left them on when I was standing to play. Never affected one guitar and they were about 50/50 Gibsons to Fenders. Edited February 2, 2020 by Sgt. Pepper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 This can't hurt try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Natural Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 On 1/28/2020 at 12:21 PM, Sgt. Pepper said: I used Grolsch grommets when I had electrics. No mod required. Just by beer. I save and use Grolsch grommets, too. (As if I needed an excuse to buy beer....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Seems like any leather strap will ruin the finish on a nitro guitar if it lays against it long enough. Especially leather with a polish or oily finish. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 1 hour ago, Mr. Natural said: I save and use Grolsch grommets, too. (As if I needed an excuse to buy beer....) You don't. Its a win - win. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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