Best Guitar Straps for Musicians with Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain

Playing guitar or bass for long periods can be painful if you suffer from back, neck, or shoulder pain. If overlooked, this can lead to more pain and even injury over time. Fortunately, some great manufacturers pay attention to musicians who suffer from these health problems.

Key features to look for in a supportive guitar strap

1. Weight distribution solution

Most guitar straps in this list are designed to distribute the instrument’s weight across both shoulders and the back. This makes holding the guitar while playing much easier.

2. Wide strap width

A wider strap does the same job as the key feature in number 1 but on a local area, across your shoulder. The wider strap distributes the weight assigned to that area in a wider area, reducing pressure points.

3. Padding and cushioning

Neoprene, memory foam, or gel padding helps with shock absorption, providing additional comfort.

4. Elasticity and flexibility

Guitar straps with elasticity can help absorb weight tension associated with movement, reducing strain on your shoulders and neck area.

5. Adjustability

Look for special guitar straps with adjustable sections. Finding the optimal length can drastically minimize strain. 

6. All-over design

Ergonomically shaped guitar straps that follow the shape of your body make holding the guitar easier while playing for long periods.

Best guitar straps for musicians with pain issues

1. Gruv Gear Duostrap Neo

Gruv Gear is a premium accessories brand oriented towards the musicians’ community. Their innovative and top-quality products offer guitar, bass, and drum players unique products.

One of their best-known products in the guitar and bass player community is the Duostrap Neo.

Key features:

• Black 3.24-inch soft-rolled neoprene
• 2 front straps that significantly reduce shoulder pain and strain
• Strap lengths are adjustable from 33.5-inch to 42.5-inch
• Extra long option for 51-inch length

Cons:

• Takes time to get used to
• Not easy to adjust

2. Slinger Straps Harness Strap | Double Guitar or Bass Strap

Similar to the Gruv Gear double strap, this double strap goes on both shoulders but has a one-point connection at the instrument strap holder. Gruv Gear’s two straps hold the instrument at two slightly separated points.

The Slinger Straps double strap additionally has a waist belt with a holder that distributes a portion of your instrument’s weight to your waist, helping with the overall load on your shoulders.

Pros:

• Waist belt that helps with overall weight distribution
• Optional 2-to-1 leather shoulder strap adapter for connecting the two straps for a single connection point to the guitar strap.
• More straightforward to adjust than the Gruv Gear double-strap

Cons:

• Not as wide as the Gruv Gear model
• Has no padding

3. Slinger Straps Hip Strap Waist Guitar or Bass Strap

This is one more strap from Slinger Straps, but with a twist: it is designed for the waist to do the lifting. This strap completely eliminates guitar weight on the shoulder and upper back. An acoustic guitar strap model is also available

Key Features:

• Eliminates neck dive
• Shoulders and upper back do not carry the instrument
• Holds guitar in lap while playing seated

Cons:

• Requires adding a strap button to the lower horn of the guitar to achieve a proper playing angle.

4. Slider Straps Dual Shoulder Strap

The Slider Straps Dual Shoulder Strap forms an X shape on the back distributing each guitar side to the opposite shoulder. This is a different concept than the previous straps. Customers find it very useful but needs adjustment of the guitar buttons. Good budget-priced strap for players with back problems.

Pros:

• Budget price
• Evenly distributes weight across both shoulders

Cons:

• Needs adjusting of strap buttons on guitar or bass
• Only 2-inch wide nylon material with no padding or stretching

5. Right On Dual Strap

Right On is a well-known guitar strap and accessories manufacturer that also makes a dual strap. Their dual strap is similar to the Gruv Gear dual strap but uses different materials.

Features:

• Adjustable from 95 cm to 133 cm
• reinforced holes with metal eyelets.
• Elastic material
• FLASH – Fast Length Adjustment System Harness

6. Neotech Support Harness Guitar Strap

This strap is the only one on this list that holds the guitar or bass at only one point. The unique design includes a separate strap that connects to both guitar strap buttons with an adjustable guitar holder for one-point connection to the main harness system.

Pros:

• Simple design: Easy to wear and adjust
• Adjustable torso strap fastens with handy quick disconnect buckle
• Padded shoulder parts

Cons:

• Higher price tag

Tips for reducing pain while playing the guitar or bass

1. Always practice good posture

When sitting, guitarists very often tend to look at the fingerboard while playing, which is a normal reaction. But while doing this, we curve our backs in an unnatural position, and our head goes into a low position.

Additionally, most of us sit on the edge of our seats, which is wrong. We should always sit with our backs next to the backrest and our backs as straight up as possible.

2. Take breaks regularly

Like every work-related activity, we should take breaks from playing the guitar. Change between sitting and standing positions to rest specific muscles while playing the guitar.

3. Consider a lighter instrument

This is not a tip musicians like to hear, but serious back problems can force you to think about getting a lighter instrument. 

Bass guitars are much heavier than guitars, but several top-quality bass guitar manufacturers make extra-light instruments.

Standard hollow body and telecaster-style guitars are lighter than average electric guitars. On the other hand, the Gibson Les Paul is one of the heaviest guitars.

4. Use a normal guitar strap correctly

For those who feel minor and periodical pain while playing the guitar, the proper use of a normal guitar strap will help with pain relief. Many times, the incorrect way of wearing a guitar strap is the only reason for neck or back pain.

5. Maintain your overall health

This is easy to understand. With a healthier body and mind, the pain associated with guitar playing can be easier to deal with. Besides back-related exercises and treatment, the rest of your body also needs to be fit for playing gigs.

Final thoughts

Finding the right guitar strap can make a huge difference in the pain guitarists may experience. A dual-shoulder design is for musicians with significant health problems. Other guitarists may be happy with a wider ergonomic guitar strap with padding and elastic materials.

The best dual straps on this list, in my opinion, are the Gruv Gear and Neotech models. Both are easy to use and are made from quality materials. For those on a budget, the Slider Straps Duoshoulder strap is a good choice.

Whichever dual strap you choose as a first, your shoulders and back will be grateful: goal achieved!