Calder Guitar Case Story Ch 23 Do You Like Shoulder Straps?
The driving force behind our design is making some that works well for guitarists.
That's why I post questions about features we're developing - so we get your input - we understand how you use gig bags.
So I have some questions about shoulder straps for the Calder Ultra and Standard gig bags - gratitude in advance to those of you who take the time to comment.
Here are the questions (and I'd be happy to hear any other ideas you have about shoulder straps/carrying gig bags).
1. Are shoulder straps essential to your use of a gig bag?
2. Do you use shoulder straps most of the time ?
3. Do you use the handle most and straps occasionally?
4. If you use straps do you mostly use both straps
5. Do you mostly use one strap on one shoulder ?
6. Does it bother you that the straps are untidy and dangle when not in use? (I hate this - but maybe you all don't mind danling straps?)
7. Would you prefer a bag with a zipped compartment that the straps go into when not in use ?
8. Some bags have a single shoulder strap that runs along the top side of the gig bag - this allows you to carry the guitar under your arm. I've tried this and it seems quite convenient - and you don't have those dam bulky straps flapping around. Does this sound a good idea to you?
Look forward to reading your replies.
category: early development
Calder blog homepage
Calder website homepage
That's why I post questions about features we're developing - so we get your input - we understand how you use gig bags.
So I have some questions about shoulder straps for the Calder Ultra and Standard gig bags - gratitude in advance to those of you who take the time to comment.
Here are the questions (and I'd be happy to hear any other ideas you have about shoulder straps/carrying gig bags).
1. Are shoulder straps essential to your use of a gig bag?
2. Do you use shoulder straps most of the time ?
3. Do you use the handle most and straps occasionally?
4. If you use straps do you mostly use both straps
5. Do you mostly use one strap on one shoulder ?
6. Does it bother you that the straps are untidy and dangle when not in use? (I hate this - but maybe you all don't mind danling straps?)
7. Would you prefer a bag with a zipped compartment that the straps go into when not in use ?
8. Some bags have a single shoulder strap that runs along the top side of the gig bag - this allows you to carry the guitar under your arm. I've tried this and it seems quite convenient - and you don't have those dam bulky straps flapping around. Does this sound a good idea to you?
Look forward to reading your replies.
category: early development
Calder blog homepage
Calder website homepage
posted by Nick Comer-Calder at
9:37 AM
3 Comments:
Dear Nick,
I've been following your progress with interest, for 3 reasons:
1) am a guitar player (my fav. is Mark Knopfler),
2) aspiring designer (recently started a design blog: deZignZine.blogspot.com; there u'll find email to contact me)
3) am a Mgt. consultant and entrepreneur, work with lots of startups.
My compliments on your hard work and determination. No doubt you'll succeed in the end!
Now, re: your quesitons:
1. Are shoulder straps essential to your use of a gig bag? A: I personally, don't like gig bags in the first place. However, I can think of 2 predominant types of players: a) serious giggers, playing in a band. In this case, their use would be limited to carrying the gig bag (assuming) to & from the car/van, where they load all of their equipment. Not much work. b) the young starving artists, who don't have cars, walk a lot, and mostly play solo gigs, if at all... For them, straps are important, comfy ones at that.
2. Do you use shoulder straps most of the time? A: Again, if you have to walk a lot, you better have them.
3. Do you use the handle most and straps occasionally? A: Hard to pinpoint the % breakdown.
4. If you use straps do you mostly use both straps? A: Yes, but they do make you look a bit dorky. But it's a good question you're asking. I'd say 2 straps are not cool, if you can design one good one.
5. Do you mostly use one strap on one shoulder ? A: Wearing just one makes it feel unbalanced, given that most, if not all, manufacturers design them vertically, like a school bag.
6. Does it bother you that the straps are untidy and dangle when not in use? (I hate this - but maybe you all don't mind danling straps?) A: I hate them too, but then again, I'm a neat freak, and stickler for tiny details. If possible, I'd un-strap them when not in use and hide them.
7. Would you prefer a bag with a zipped compartment that the straps go into when not in use ? Yes, read above.
8. Some bags have a single shoulder strap that runs along the top side of the gig bag - this allows you to carry the guitar under your arm. I've tried this and it seems quite convenient - and you don't have those dam bulky straps flapping around. Does this sound a good idea to you?
A: No, it's not a good idea, you hit a lot of walls and things with your guitar, esp. when turning around. You don't want that for your vintage Strat, do you?
And, finally, here is a design idea for your strap: Ever seen one of those recent "bike-messenger" style bags, that all the Gaps, Banana Republics, Benettons, et all, are selling? The ones with 1 strap that runs from the top of one side to the bottom of your other side? (i.e. Left shoulder top to the right hip bottom, or vice versa). THAT's the strap for your gig bag. Why?:
a) Not much dangling (you can tighten the runner and "Stick" the strap to the bag when not in use;
b) Comfy, and doesn't ruin the balance. Easy to take of and put on.
c) Would look cool (i.e. not ruin your rocker image, bla bla), kinda like wearing a gun, insted of wearing a pre-school bag. Even putting them on and taking them off would look serious and cool. (extended design impact of your product design).
Hope you found something useful in the above free-style BS of mine.
GLANGU (Good Luck and Never Give Up)
BB
P.S.
d) You can also carry your guitar either neck up, or upside down, like a gun.
Actually, why not make the strap hooks exactly in the same position as they are on a guitar?
Thanks for taking the time to write such a complete reply - I'm delighted to have your interest and grateful for your thoughts.
I checked our your blog and enjoyed finding new stuff that I had not seen on other blogs covering the same area - specially enjoyed your comments on the return of the box design in autos.
I take note of your thoughts on gig bags. It seems to me that the world is divided into gig bag people and hard case people. You are a hard case person - so I wonder do you like your hard case? What kind is it? Why don't you use a gig bag ? If you were designing your dream hard case what would be the key features? Size, weight, balance, protection? Storage? I'd be very interested to hear your take on this.
Also how would you describe yourself - are you an executive rocker - expensive guitars - carry them around a lot to friends' houses for jamming or on business trips? Or are you some other kind of guitarist - giving your replies a personal context will make them more valuable.
What would be the most you'd pay for a case or gig bag?
We've looked at the sort of single straps that are used on messenger bags - trouble is the size and weight of a guitar. I can't imagine it would be easy/elegant putting on a gig bag with a Les Paul in it using one of those straps as you have to hold the bag in one hand as you put the strap over your head....or do you see it differently.
Look forward to reading your further thoughts.
And thanks again
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