| Author | Message | ||
| kilowatt
Junior Username: kilowatt Post Number: 31 Registered: 12-2004 |
I am curious to see if anyone in the group has any experience with these straps. They look first rate, and have a good price as well. Any insight or advice will be greatly appreciated as my new alembic will be arriving right around Christmas according to Val. I would like to match a strap with the coco bola top on my new bass (Peter's custom 5 string). Thanks in advance, Pete | ||
| serialnumber12
Advanced Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 289 Registered: 12-2004 |
Here's the site.....http://www.italiastraps.com/ss_locks.html | ||
| kilowatt
Junior Username: kilowatt Post Number: 32 Registered: 12-2004 |
Thanks for the link to their site. Pete | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1461 Registered: 9-2003 |
Pete, Italia Straps used to be part of Moody's Straps...when Michael and Alison split, he formed Italia. Moody's makes the Alembic Straps and Alison is tops to deal with (and she's gorgeous, LOL!). I dealt with Michael when he was with Moody's and he was cool as well. Ultimately it your choice as to who to go with. Alembic's Straps are nice, but are the priciest. If you can deal with not having the Alembic logo, Moody's straps are great. I can't vouch for Italia's stuff, but I have no reason to doubt that the quality is roughly equivalent to Moody's (if it isn't, his business won't last for long, unless he's half-priced, LOL!). Personally, I've got 3 Alembic/Moody straps, and 6 Moody Straps, in various widths and colors. They are top shelf. Moody's is here: http://www.moodyleather.com/strap2inch.aspx?OVRAW=moody's%20guitar%20straps&OVKEY=guitar%20strap&OVMTC=advanced Ck these as well: http://www.scoopstraps.com/more_styles_and_prices.htm | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 794 Registered: 7-2004 |
I recently bought two Italiastraps off of eBay. I had no idea about the Moody connection. The straps took about 5-6 weeks to arrive. I was told they don't make them until you order them. The price I got off of eBay was phenominal: $14.99 plus $6.99 shipping (they had A LOT listed and no one else bid on the two I wanted). While they ain't Moody's, they aeem to be well made and quite substantial. They are a little thick and the new stiffness makes it a bit of a chore to get the hole around the strap button. I hadn't actually attached the strap to a guitar until this morning when I tried one on a Daion Headhunter that I bought off of eBay and arrived this morning. To my dismay, I discovered that both straps were way too short. The eBay add described two sizes: Standard - 38"-50", and Long - 43"-55". I had ordered Long (I'm 6'2"). When I actually measured them, I found that they were only 46" at the longest adjustment! I emailed Italia this morning. I'll let you guys know the results. But if you can still get one on eBay for $15, I suggest you jump on it. It's a helluva deal. Bill, tgo | ||
| jalevinemd
Advanced Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 262 Registered: 12-2003 |
The Franklin straps that you can buy at any GC or SA are, in my opinion, the best deal for the money. They're incredibly soft and the stitch work is excellent. A 2.5" Italia from their website runs $55. The same size Franklin is $30. I've got two of them on my non-Moody-worth guitars (My SG and Les Paul). | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 796 Registered: 7-2004 |
Levy straps (I think they're Canadian) are also nice. I got an e-mail from Italiastraps to send them back the tails and they'll replace them with longer ones. I'm impressed with the quick response. Now let's see how long it takes and if everything goes smoothly. EBay still has about 60 Italiastraps listed by the company ranging from $13.99 to $18.99. Such a deal! Bill, tgo | ||
| kilowatt
Junior Username: kilowatt Post Number: 33 Registered: 12-2004 |
Bill, I tried to find the straps on eBay, but I only came up with one used strap. What catagory did you find them listed under? Thanks,Pete | ||
| lidon2001
Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 57 Registered: 4-2005 |
Thanks Bill. I just got one off Ebay for my Skylark. Pete, do a search on Ebay using: italian leather strap and you will get them. T | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 777 Registered: 4-2004 |
yes kev buying a strap cause lynn is pretty is wonderful idea- lmao good prices for the italia's thanks for the headsup those scoop straps are very interesting... and may make it under the chanukah bush | ||
| kilowatt
Junior Username: kilowatt Post Number: 34 Registered: 12-2004 |
Thanks all, I just tried Tom's suggestion on the eBay search and had no problem. I was entering Italia straps and not finding the long list of straps they have. Go figure. I do see in their feedback that many of the customers are not happy with the long wait, but seem to be happy with the straps quality when they finally arrive (about 5 week seems average).At $18.99, I don't think you can go wrong. Thanks again, Pete | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1470 Registered: 9-2003 |
Flax: It's Alison, and yeah, what the h*ll, pretty girls gotta eat too, ya know, LOL! She used to have a pic on the site of her completely nude with only a Moody strap to hide the naughty bits, LOL! You got to see it if you placed an on-line order...I'm not kidding! I didn't realize Moody's prices had gone up that much...I paid like half of what they're getting now less than two years ago. I will say that the reason I have so many straps is that when I ordered mine on-line, Michael sent me the wrong size (width) straps. Instead of having me send 'em back he made me a real deal to keep 'em and cut money off the right sized one's as well. Since I have 10 guitars, I figured I'd use 'em, LOL! Pete: For that price, h*ll, I'd buy Italia too! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 797 Registered: 7-2004 |
I've looked more closely at my Italia straps and noticed some interesting elements. The design is EXACTLY the same as Moody - I suspect they are using the same patterns. The leather on the Italia is both thicker and stiffer than that used by Moody. Also, the Moody leather is smooth while Italia leather is textured, kind of bumpy. Moody's are double stitched and the stitching follows the edges very neatly and evenly. The Italia straps are only single stitched, and the stitching is not as even as on the Moody straps. At $55.00 the Italias are decent - but before I'd pay that much I'd probably go with Levy instead in the $25-$35 range. At less than $20 off of eBay, the Italia straps are a bargain. Bill, tgo | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 834 Registered: 4-2004 |
i got my scoop strap curiously the domain has expired on 12/17 and this strap is not the one i saw on the web... | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 833 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jeff: The scoop strap site appears to be working today. So how is your strap different from the picture? I believe a full review is in order. Bill, tgo | ||
| kilowatt
Junior Username: kilowatt Post Number: 40 Registered: 12-2004 |
I just got a reply back from Italia, in response to an E-mail I sent them about a ship date for my order placed on eBay on 12/13/05. They are to be shipped this week. I checked their feedback and it seems the only complaint is that it takes a few weeks to ship the straps out. The 2 to 3 day to ship is after a few weeks to manufacture. Not a big deal with the amount you are saving via the eBay auction. Should look good on my new Alembic that arrived on X-Mas eve. What a great present to myself!! Pete | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 837 Registered: 4-2004 |
my apology bill was not scoop straps was the one in germany? i got one from that i am having a hard time finding the link for | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 838 Registered: 4-2004 |
i finds it was slapstrap i'm all strapped out  | ||
| bassdr
Junior Username: bassdr Post Number: 36 Registered: 10-2004 |
I also bought an Italia strap on ebay for about $20. Excellent value at that price. Mine looks well made and is very comfortable. Michael (Flame Koa Essence) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 847 Registered: 7-2004 |
The new longer tails for my Italia straps arrived yesterday. So this company gets a thumbs up for customer service. Jeff, so how do you like your slapstrap? No offense, buddy, but the picture kind of looks like a mutant cummerbund to me! (nyuk, nyuk) Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on December 28, 2005) | ||
| cindiitalia
New Username: cindiitalia Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2006 |
Bill, Great to hear that the longer versions of the straps are working out well for you. Enjoy! Cindi @ www.italiastraps.com  | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2947 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Cindi; welcome to the group! | ||
| j_gary
Intermediate Member Username: j_gary Post Number: 164 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi Cindi, very nice of you to join us! A bass player perhaps? I've bought four of the Italia straps off ebay. All are well made and comfortable. When paying you may order the longer tails for $1 more. I'm 6', and the longer tailpiece works better. | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 868 Registered: 4-2004 |
i was not aware that the longer straps were a buck more i simply asked for them in my notes when paying.. guess i will have to wait and see........ maybe cindi can check on the orders for frogprinsce in ebay | ||
| lothartu
Intermediate Member Username: lothartu Post Number: 126 Registered: 8-2003 |
I bought a 4" wide strap off ebay from italia for around $22 including shipping. It took around 6 weeks to come in. It's got single stitching instead of double so I don't know how long it will last before I may have a problem with it (if I ever do). The stitching looks good, it's just that it's single and not double stitched. You can't knock it for the price though. I've spent a lot more money for a lot less strap many many times before. -Jim | ||
| cindiitalia
New Username: cindiitalia Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2006 |
Jeff -- Your straps are scheduled to be made in next weeks production batch --------------- Glad to see that you guys are getting good use out of your straps. Could you possibly post some photos? I'd love to see how they look with some of the (Alembic) instruments you have! Thanks Cindi | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 883 Registered: 4-2004 |
thanks cindi i assume we are ok for the longer tails... | ||
| cindiitalia
New Username: cindiitalia Post Number: 3 Registered: 1-2006 |
Yes Jeff, we will make long versions for you. Thanks Cindi | ||
| cindiitalia
New Username: cindiitalia Post Number: 4 Registered: 1-2006 |
BTW - A review on the topic you guys were discussing here : http://allthingsguitar.com/2006reviews/Italia%20Leather/italia.htm | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 886 Registered: 4-2004 |
i just bid on a tobaco suede cindi- ends in 2 days my only minor complaint is that you dont combine for shipping discounts | ||
| kilowatt
Junior Username: kilowatt Post Number: 45 Registered: 12-2004 |
Flax, I was thinking the same thing. I ordered 2 straps back on 12/13/05 and was charged for shipping both. I do think if you buy multiple straps, only being hit for shipping once would be too big of a request. In Italia's defense, I do remember Paypal showing me two different balances after my purchase, but I paid as soon as the first total came up. I think you can buy any of these straps as they come up as both of the straps I bid on went to a last second bidder. I was given the chance to buy the same strap as they make them to order. Cindi, If you read this, by chance,I was wondering if my order (modmetro) had been shipped yet? Regards, Pete | ||
| cindiitalia
New Username: cindiitalia Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2006 |
Pete >> Your order shipped earlier this week BTW -- We actually can combine shipping and do so often. If you plan on buying more than 1, the key with PayPal is to actually NOT pay for the 1st one right away. Once you win the 2nd or 3rd auction eBay prompts us to combine the invoice if its the same buyer. At that point, we can give the combined shipping rate. Thanks A Lot! Cindi | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 889 Registered: 4-2004 |
cyndi i waited for both to end and was charged the same rate.... | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 969 Registered: 3-2004 |
Looking at the photos on the auctions and relative to Jim's comment about his strap being single-stiched, it appears that the 4" straps are double stiched and the 2.5" are only single stiched. Maybe it's a naive position, but I would expect to receive product that matches the pictures. Personally, I like the appearance of the sueded straps. If I had any need at all for another, I would be very interested in these at the bargain price. -bob | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 892 Registered: 4-2004 |
hi cyn just won a bid for a suede strap | ||
| kilowatt
Junior Username: kilowatt Post Number: 46 Registered: 12-2004 |
I just received both straps I order on 12/13. I would say that you would be hard pressed to find a nicer strap at a better price! My son and I both love them. The leather is very nice. I would highly recommend Italia to any member looking for a quality strap. Thanks Cindi. Regards, Pete | ||
| lothartu
Intermediate Member Username: lothartu Post Number: 127 Registered: 8-2003 |
Bob, The pictures at the Italia website do indeed show double stitching on the 4" straps. Also on the version of the strap that I got off ebay Crema/Crema the italia site shows that the tread used is a close match to the strap color. http://www.italiastraps.com/ss_dove4.html I did purchase my strap through an ebay auction not the italia website. The strap I received is a 4" Crema/Crema strap which is single stitched with black thread, not double stitched with a "crema" thread like their website shows. My guess would be that the strap I purchased from Italia through their ebay auction was possibly a "mistake" strap or maybe it was constructed as a "practice" strap for an apprentice leatherworker. If I had purchased directly from the Italia website and paid the website purchase price I would have been upset with the strap that I recieved. However, since it was an ebay auction I wasn't upset when the construction of the strap did not match with the main italia website. Maybe ebay is a "scratch and dent" outlet for italia like it is for so many other retailers. If I had it to do all over again I think I would just purchase directly from italia so that I could be sure to receive a 4" double stitched thread matching strap instead of the single stitched thread mismatched strap that I got through the ebay auction. All that being said, I am not unhappy with what I received for the price that I paid. - Jim | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 971 Registered: 3-2004 |
Jim- After I posted, I noticed that some auctions have the word "vintage" in the title. Several of those referred to the strap being "studio series." When you click through the "studio series" link to the italia website, you see single-stitched straps priced at $30-35 list. Maybe you won one of those auctions? -bob | ||
| lothartu
Intermediate Member Username: lothartu Post Number: 128 Registered: 8-2003 |
Bob, I think you're right. I had never even noticed that section of their website. The one I received does look like one of the "studio series" straps. - Jim | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 918 Registered: 4-2004 |
i just got 2 of these... black and cream i like em- long tails are wonderful supple leather... and they still smell like leather... lol- single stiched straight lines... a good job... i assume they'll feel good with dire wolf hangin from them | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 931 Registered: 4-2004 |
well i shouldnt have spoken to quickly the holes are too small and the leather is thick could not come close to being able to get the strap locks on any others with strap locks have problems | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 921 Registered: 7-2004 |
I don't use strap locks, but I definitely found the holes relatively small and thick. It was a chore to get the strap over the strap buttons. On the guitars I'm using my Italias on, once I get them on I leave 'em on. It's almost as if the hole size and leather thickness results in a built in strap lock! While we're talking straps, I got a couple of new Moody's from Allison at the recent World Guitar Show in San Rafael. One was from a cow that had ticks, so it has this really cool distressed look and little birds-eye-type marks on it. VERY cool. She only had a few, but if there are any left I'd strongly recommend one. I also picked up another new color she has. It's kind of like a mottled butterscotch that I suspect will go very nicely with my Custom Further with a quilted maple top and a slight amber tint. Bill, tgo | ||
| zuperdog
Junior Username: zuperdog Post Number: 19 Registered: 11-2005 |
I also just got an Italia strap and found the leather to be a bit thick, but the hole was the right size, and I managed to get it on my Les Paul. After a few on and offs, it has broken in a bit, and I believe will be fine after a few dozen passes. The quality of the leather, IMO, is pretty poor, but the workmanship is decent, and it's hard to beat the price. Still, no doubt my Moody strap is much nicer. It's easy to enlarge the hole, or just the slit off the hole, if you need to. | ||
| pinchdawg
Junior Username: pinchdawg Post Number: 18 Registered: 12-2005 |
Just received one of the two straps I ordered on ebay and yes it is true the leather is a bit thick and yes the holes are small.I am going to try some amateur leather work on them tomorrow.My plan is to use a 3/8 socket and beat the hell out of the leather to make it thin enough for the straplock to be able to thread. Then I will grind the socket sharp to punch the hole. I believe I will only have to go through this once because the leather is so thick they should last 20/30 years. LOL Jim Yes they are worth 20 bucks | ||
| lothartu
Intermediate Member Username: lothartu Post Number: 132 Registered: 8-2003 |
Just to comment on the issue with straplocks. It was hard for me to get a set of schaller straplocks on also. I didn't try to cut the leather because I was worried that I might mess it up. Instead I got two locking sets of pliers and used one to hold the nut and the other to hold the threaded strap post. It took a LOT of groaning and moaning but I managed to finally get the first bit of the nut to thread and then I was home free. I hope that whatever the alloy is that makes up that schaller nut is a strong one. It's under a whole lot of pressure with it being cranked down on that strap. The only way that straplock is coming off that strap is if the nut explodes. - Jim | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 985 Registered: 4-2004 |
i agree theyre thicker than the moodys.... but the quality is not there- but neither is the price....i asked for long tails but they are way to long, but i can get access to a leather punch... and i was not happy for getting hit for 2x the shipping costs when i bought 2 at one time... despite what was said in here about discounting the shipping....they didnt |
