Shoulder pain from your guitar strap? 5 steps to identify the cause and find a solution!

"My guitar strap makes my shoulder hurt..." Don't let that bother you

Do you feel a throbbing pain in your shoulder after long practice sessions or live performances? Every guitarist has likely experienced this at least once. Are you worried, thinking, "Do I just have to switch to a lighter instrument?" or "My shoulder gets sore even just from carrying a bag"?

In fact, in many cases, that pain can be significantly reduced simply by reviewing your choice and usage of a strap. Here at 708works, where we continue to craft handmade straps in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, we will explain step-by-step the "5 STEPS to reduce shoulder pain" that we have discovered while facing our customers' concerns every day.

Let's understand the causes of shoulder pain

Before we get into countermeasures, let's organize why your shoulder hurts. Once you understand the cause, the solution becomes much simpler.

Three main causes

• ① The strap is too narrow: The smaller the contact area, the more the load concentrates on one point and digs into your shoulder.
• ② The material is stiff and slippery: When it slips on your shoulder, you tense up unconsciously, leading to fatigue.
• ③ Poor length balance: If the instrument's center of gravity is off, the burden concentrates on only one shoulder.
• These are also common to the pain people feel when carrying shoulder bags. Concentration of load and slippage—these two factors are the true culprits behind the pain.

5 STEPS to reduce shoulder pain

STEP 1: Reconsider the width of the strap

The first thing to address is the "width." Slim straps are stylish, but with heavy instruments like a Les Paul, they tend to put a greater burden on your shoulder. To distribute the load, we recommend a structure that can support the weight with a certain amount of width and surface area.

708works' folklore features an organic design made of interlocking parts that look like fish scales. This structure flexibly follows the curve of your shoulder and catches the load across a wide surface. Since it is tailored without using any metal hardware, it is also characterized by a gentle touch.

STEP 2: Choose based on the "suppleness" of the material

Stiff leather or nylon does not conform well to your shoulder and is prone to slipping. Choosing a material that becomes more comfortable with use, like natural leather, will significantly improve the fit. The 708works scale strap's continuous parts move flexibly, allowing it to move supplely in sync with your body.

STEP 3: Adjust the length and center of gravity balance

If your instrument is positioned too low or too high, force concentrates on one point of your shoulder. The optimal position changes depending on the song. That's where a strap that can be adjusted even while playing comes in handy.

Courier is an excellent tool that allows you to shorten the length by simply pulling the rear tab with one hand and lengthen it by lifting it with your finger. You can make fine adjustments on the spot, such as "I want to hold it higher for just this song," preventing the burden on your shoulder from becoming uneven.

STEP 4: Give your shoulders a rest during breaks

One thing often overlooked is "how to take breaks." Don't leave it hanging for long periods; simply taking the strap off frequently and rotating your shoulders can restore blood flow and prevent the accumulation of pain. Don't forget to do some physical stretching as well.

STEP 5: Apply the same idea to your bags

For those who say, "It also hurts to carry my guitar bag on my shoulder while traveling," we recommend Backstage for Bag, which allows you to repurpose your favorite guitar strap for your bag. By simply attaching the adapter without any modifications to the strap, you can use your wide, shoulder-friendly strap on your bag as well. It's a two-in-one item that takes care of your shoulders whether you're performing or traveling.

Don't endure shoulder pain; play more freely

It's easy to give up and think shoulder pain is "just part of the deal," but by reviewing three points—width, material, and length—you can make your playing time much more comfortable. To enjoy your precious instrument for a long time, you want to reduce the burden on your body as much as possible, right?

Each 708works strap is handcrafted by our artisans. We hope your shoulders and your music will become even freer. Start today with STEP 1: reconsidering the width of your strap.