Saxophone reviews Jazzlab Saxholder strap review

[_Dan_]

I'm 192 and 92kgs. The standard Jazzlab is just fine

Thanks for the info. It was enough to persuade me to buy the standard size which arrived today.

I'm responding in case it might be of help to anyone in a similar state of uncertainty at some point in the future:

So far I'm very pleased with it. At a little over 6'4"(193cm-ish) and probably around 85-90kg I can say the medium (standard) is the right choice. Using it with a tenor there's still about 1/3 of the length of the cord that came fitted still to play with.

 

[DHM]

I have to say the Neotech Bondage harness is good. I stood for two hours the other day with the tenor attached and didn't notice the weight at all. But at the same price as the Jazzlab if I had neither I'd probably go for the Jazzlab instead.

With the Jazzlab I can see I'd be able to swing the sax around on the stage more whereas the Neotech one keeps it tugged against my abdomen. In fact my right hand is noticeably pulled toward my body all the time.

I bought a Neotech about a week after taking up baritone and was happy with it. Then I saw Colin Stetson live and he was using a Saxholder with his long-wrap bass and I decided that if it could hold that instrument comfortably it had to be worth trying. I was an instant convert. I still have the Neotech, but it's a spare; I've not used it in many years.

 

[ellinas]

@_Dan_ glad I helped man.
This strap saved my saxophone life. I had issues with my neck ... And I almost quit playing.
Still having it it's the best.

 

[malteof]

I've been thinking about getting one but I haven't tried one. Are they comfortable for playing sitting down?

It's not great for sitting down, but standing up it's the best strap I've ever tried. Nothing compares.

 

[JazzLab]

I found that the locking height adjuster slips, particularly when playing baritone. I’m trying to secure a refund but beating my head against a brick wall. I’ve been happy with other Jazzlab products but can’t be dealing with this mid-gig.

We from JAZZLAB are very sorry for this. We will send you a new slider/cord/hook assembly which can be replaced very easily from yourself. Please send us your address to our email which you will find on www.jazzlab.com.
Sorry again

 

[GJ77]

We from JAZZLAB are very sorry for this. We will send you a new slider/cord/hook assembly which can be replaced very easily from yourself. Please send us your address to our email which you will find on www.jazzlab.com.
Sorry again

Thank you, the retailer hasn’t been too helpful. I’ll email today.

 

[6441]

I exchanged a few emails with the Jazz Lab folks, I think they're very good.

 

[MandyH]

Having watched a colleague snap one arm off their sax holder while making a minor adjustment to the shoulder piece, I can’t bring myself to even consider trying one, and definitely not hanging my Bari on one, I’m afraid.

 

[malteof]

Having watched a colleague snap one arm off their sax holder while making a minor adjustment to the shoulder piece, I can’t bring myself to even consider trying one, and definitely not hanging my Bari on one, I’m afraid.

Maybe he was unlucky with a faulty one, I can't see that happening on mine...

 

[squeak]

I vacillated about buying a harness for baritone and hated it when I finally got one. After more hesitation, I bought a Saxholder. It felt like a somewhat peculiar contraption initially, but now I don't think about it and use it every time. I just have the regular model, which works perfectly fine and would strongly recommend. The upgrades mentioned for the Pro model seem unnecessary, but I might change my mind if I got to try one.

 

[squeak]

I did order a backup Saxholder to have one in both bari cases. I am surprised to find that I much prefer the original to the pro. The former checked all boxes for me except that the abdominal support is so, so, because of multiple past surgeries. However, the pro model just seems to have bells and whistles that don't add much functionality and detract from the ease of handling. Perhaps I am misunderstanding something. The newer model is still very good but not an upgrade in my view.

 

[bucksmusic]

When I bought my Tenor last year I found none of the neck straps I used for alto were comfortable. I ended up with neck ache after about 20mins. Happily my teacher had a Saxholder which I tried during a lesson (In a brief period where I could actually have an in person lesson!) and loved it. So I bought one and wouldn't use anything else now. I practise over an hour a day, sometimes 2 and have no issues with it at all.

There are 2 sizes. Mine was the standard size (I think called medium). But there was an extra large option. I'm 6' 2" and I think if I was any taller I'd have needed the larger size.

 

[Ballymenaboy]

When I bought my Tenor last year I found none of the neck straps I used for alto were comfortable. I ended up with neck ache after about 20mins. Happily my teacher had a Saxholder which I tried during a lesson (In a brief period where I could actually have an in person lesson!) and loved it. So I bought one and wouldn't use anything else now. I practise over an hour a day, sometimes 2 and have no issues with it at all.

There are 2 sizes. Mine was the standard size (I think called medium). But there was an extra large option. I'm 6' 2" and I think if I was any taller I'd have needed the larger size.

I have back issues and hsve found that this holder enables me to play much longer without discomfort..well worth the money for me

 

[mizmar]

I started getting neck twinges recently; I suspect a mixture of age and tenor playing... I've been using a Just Joe's for years and I suspect it's helped delay this day...

Just got a Saxholder Pro XL.
First impressions is that it's thoughtfully designed. Have had a quick play and it's weird how the tenor seem to be floating!

I'm (also) 6' 4'' And not heavy.. still buying XL is just habitual. It seems comfortable enough.

So far, so happy.
Let's see if the twinges subside.

 

[Pete Effamy]

I started getting neck twinges recently; I suspect a mixture of age and tenor playing... I've been using a Just Jo's for years and I suspect it's helped delay this day...

Just got a Saxholder Pro XL.
First impressions is that it's thoughtfully designed. Have had a quick play and it's weird how the tenor seem to be floating!

I'm (also) 6' 4'' And not heavy.. still buying XL is just habitual. It seems comfortable enough.

So far, so happy.
Let's see if the twinges subside.

I’ve had one for a long time. Have the mk2 as well. While it does have certain drawbacks - when sitting it’s easy for sax to detach from hook if you take the weight off in a few bars rest; also not the best if you lean forward a bit.

Anyway, for practice, it’s very good. I dare say that if you get the arms bent exactly to your shoulder shape (not easy) then it would not fall off them.

Any neck pain when using this is my own fault - not relaxed.

 

[cappers]

I have a Saxholder Pro and loved it initially as it took the pressure off my neck. I stand when I play so not worried about it moving whilst sitting.

However I find after an hour or so it presses into my shoulders (I'm skinny!) and I'm not overkeen on the abdomen brace bar pushing my stomach (even though it helps focus on diaphragmatic breathing). So I switched back to a Neotech Less Stress webbing sling but that gives me pins and needles in my neck after a while.

I've done a bit of fettling of the shoulder bars on the SHP and that has made it a bit better. Still not made up my mind which I prefer.

 

[mizmar]

gives me pins and needles in my neck after a while.

I can't see that as a good thing!
Surely it's compressing a nerve?

 

[cappers]

I can't see that as a good thing!
Surely it's compressing a nerve?

I assume so. More of a tingle than full-on p&ns.
Used the SHP today for an hour with no issues.

 

[lydian]

I assume so. More of a tingle than full-on p&ns.
Used the SHP today for an hour with no issues.

Still not good. You should stop using any strap that does that to you. Compressed nerves are no joke.

Personally, I'm not crazy about the Neotech Less Stress. It is comfortable, but the stretchiness feels weird to me. I don't like the horn moving closer and farther once I get the strap length set.

As for SHP, it might work fine standing or for a thin person sitting. But it's a no-go for someone with a spare tire like me. Rides up constantly when seated. I like my Brancher Crescent on alto and tenor and a Neotech harness on bari. The Brancher also looks really classy so still looks great if I'm dressed casual or wearing a tux. On bass, I always use the peg plus a Ray Hyman just to keep it from falling over when I play the palm keys.

 

[cappers]

Brancher Crescent

One of these? How does it sit around your neck? Does the extra width lie on the top of the shoulders or is it all around the back of the neck?
Thank you.