Hi all, I've recently picked my old tenor again and finding that the 25 year old neck strap is very uncomfortable so would like to try a harness.
Unfortunately I'm a very large person so most of them won't work for me. Does anybody know of a harness I can buy online and ship to the UK that would be suitable for a woman who weighs about 140kg? (In American that's about 300lb)
Posted May 21, 2022, 9:38 AM UTC
If you’ve got the money, the Boston sax shop harness that’s like $130 and will work for all saxophones up to bari is a good one. It’s what my professor uses. It’s disperses the weight across ones shoulders and is HIGHLY adjustable in any dimension. Plus they look cool and I have a feeling will work well on a larger person.
I shall have a Google!
I'm in the UK too and have a similar problem with size.
I have a Jazzlab but can't get it into a comfortable position. I think it's designed for people with flat tummies. Although perhaps my wide shoulders don't help either.
I was able to find a harness that fits (bari, haven't gone harness for tenor yet) by trying differently sized ones on at a shop - Dawkes in Maidenhead, although I'd bet any music shop worth its salt would have a range of sizes. I can also recommend Windblowers in Nottingham and Woodwind exchange in Bradford, both of which I'd assume have a range. Dawkes will post and restock so you might be able to get a few sizes to try on.
Thank you so much for these tips! I am only about an hour from Bradford so will have a look at that shop. Manchester is great for guitars and pianos, not so much for sax considering its a big city.
I think WWE's opening hours are a bit odd so check before you go. Last I heard I think they were only open two workdays/week.
This is what I use (also on the gig). Most pros I know use this style of harness now. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Sax-Harness-Shoulder-Strap/dp/B09PMWCLQD/ref=sr\_1\_9?crid=3AMPBT7GOO2Q&keywords=sax+harness&qid=1653135970&sprefix=sax+h%2Caps%2C286&sr=8-9
Thanks, what are the laces at the back for?
To adjust the distance between the two shoulder pieces.
Ah I see, thanks! Will see if I can find a non-leather one.
I guarantee you that this is not leather. Mine isn't, and in the ad It even says "the leather material".
I would say the jazzlab saxholder should be able to fit you, as its a solid hook that you can bend into the shape so it goes over the shoulders like a marching band snare harness. It definitely helps with the neck pain that comes with long practice sessions. Nothing more comfortable out there even though I would never take it to a gig lol
Why wouldn’t you take it to a gig? I will be doing a few low key gigs in a few months so would like something suitable for that!
Mmm I actually have done it once and I prefer to use really low profile straps mostly for the clean looks lol but if I was under a stage on a musical where the audience won't see me, saxholder any day of the week especially with how they can do multiple sets a night. Since they go over the shoulder and have a little pad for the stomach area, it can wrinkle shirts too.
Hmm, might have to try and find a shop with one I can try out, from images online I wonder if it would press into my stomach too much. Thanks for the tip.
Yeah most of the weight is pretty much on the shoulders so the pressure on the stomach isn't anything significant. The leg that comes down is adjustable so it doesn't have to sit at one spot all the time, either.