How long do you keep your strap?

I keep it the same level as it is when I sit.

i like the edge (near knobs) above the belt buckle. i prefer a neck angle greater than 30 degrees for less fretting hand/wrist fatigue.

this pic is old, but the way i like to play

I have to admit that my first response to the thread title was, until it falls apart.;)

Especially with a 4-string, I think you're fine to just anchor your thumb on top of the neck pickup cover. That can work for most playing, unless you get really busy. The floating thumb technique is good and works well for 5'ers and very busy lines. I've been working on involving the thumb more in string plucking, so there are a whole lot of ways to go about it. Just do what's most comfortable to you at first.

The top of my neck pickup and thumb position is usually about belt level and seems comfortable for most playing.

Well I guess the answer to that question is gonna include some other questions:

1. Are you playing:
   1. Jazz
   2. Rock
   3. Reggae
   4. Metal
2. Do you want:
   1. To be comfortable
   2. Look cool
   3. Play until you're 60

If you answered '2' in Q2 then you're not interested in either 1 or 3 in the same Q. So wear it as low as the strap will let you.

If you answered either '1' or '3' in Q2 then Jackie's answer is pretty much spot on. Although I'd probably get myself a shave and a haircut before I posted.

I tend to have it lower when I'm using the pick. That's how I learned to play so many years ago, though I seem to have turned into a fingerstyle player since I've been home. These days, I only use a pick if I'm playing Fear Factory, or something similar.
When playing fingerstyle, I keep the strap button about belt level, and where I anchor my thumb depends on where I'm playing. If I'm trying to get a Geezer-like thud, I attack the strings around the 22nd-24th fret, and anchor my thumb on the side of the neck. I don't usually roam down in the vicinity of the bridge, so...

I thought it made a difference on which bass I played, but I guess it doesn't

Picking/fingering at the same height too

Work with it, I spend a few weeks tweaking the height on each bass until it feels right on me

I keep my straps a long time.:D

There, somebody came up with the smartazz answer.;)

Just wish I'd kept those Ace brand straps from 35 years ago.

Bass at same height standing or sitting.

LDD:cool:

I am now in a punk heavy metal hard core rock band. ( sosnys.com )....I try to keep the bass as low as possible.

the top edge of the bass is a little above my belt line...about 2 - 4 inches or so....

allen

Thanks for the great answers.

Turns out my problem wasn't the height of the bass, it was the BASS itself.

The Fender body style just isn't my thing. On twang I'm not a fan of strats either. The part where the arm curvemeets the rest of the body stick out a bit much.

That means....pOrn on the WAY! Yup, got a new stick over the weekend. And it's sweeet.

I use my right index and middle fingers to pluck while resting my right thumb on the lower string, floating my fingers as I play. When playing on the low B, I rest my thumb on the bridge pup. Not up until just a few short yrs ago, I use to just rest my thumb on the bridge pup all the time while moving my plucking fingers from string to string. In the pic below, I'm playing on the low B and you can notice my thumb resting on the bridge pup.

As far as straps go, I buy fairly decent straps that will last a long time. I don't like leather straps, because they stick to my shirt when I sweat and they absorb the sweat also, which causes them to stink later down the road. 2 of my straps have strap locks installed and they are the straps that I play with my Carvin basses. All my other bass straps have regular eye holes in them.;)

i've had one strap for 13 years.. it's a Jim Murnak - New York strap.. he owns a company called FIST gun leather.. funny thing is, i didn't but this strap, it was a strap that was left at the guitar shop i worked at.. i have a few other straps, one is a cheapie 28.00 strap from GC, all i can remember about that strap is that it was made in Camarillo, CA.. i forgot the manufacturers name.. it's a strong strap and it took about a year to break in..

as for position.. it really depends on the bass that i'm playing.. some basses, i play lower.. my Conklin GT-7 i have to play high to be able to reach the low B.. and with it's weight and it being positioned so high, i get lower backaches because of it.. i'm just not used to it.. with my Grabber, i play it slung below my waistline.. and i have problems with it being heavy also.. it gives me a sore shoulder after playing for a few hours.. i like my Jazz Bass about in the same position as the Grabber, but it's much lighter and i can play it for hours on end without problems.. it's my most comfortable bass i have.. i play my Charvel 3B about the same height as the Jbass, but it's heavier than the JBass..

as for fingerstyle.. again, it depends on the bass.. with the JBass, i usually have my thumb anchored either on the bridge, or neck pickup.. i do play with a pick, and i usually pick about half an inch in front of the bridge pickup..

i'm presently trying to scrape up money for an Italia Leather Strap(s).. i really want a custom one made, preferably a 5 wide strap.. they look like really nice straps, for the price.. i was going to get one of the Talkbass Moody straps, but i'd have to spring for the long extension strap and i could just get two Italia straps for that much and be just as happy.. ;)

Usually at waist level:

as for position.. it really depends on the bass that i'm playing.. some basses, i play lower.. my Conklin GT-7 i have to play high to be able to reach the low B.. and with it's weight and it being positioned so high, i get lower backaches because of it.. i'm just not used to it.. with my Grabber, i play it slung below my waistline.. and i have problems with it being heavy also.. it gives me a sore shoulder after playing for a few hours.. i like my Jazz Bass about in the same position as the Grabber, but it's much lighter and i can play it for hours on end without problems.. it's my most comfortable bass i have.. i play my Charvel 3B about the same height as the Jbass, but it's heavier than the JBass..

as for fingerstyle.. again, it depends on the bass.. with the JBass, i usually have my thumb anchored either on the bridge, or neck pickup.. i do play with a pick, and i usually pick about half an inch in front of the bridge pickup..

i'm presently trying to scrape up money for an Italia Leather Strap(s).. i really want a custom one made, preferably a 5 wide strap.. they look like really nice straps, for the price.. i was going to get one of the Talkbass Moody straps, but i'd have to spring for the long extension strap and i could just get two Italia straps for that much and be just as happy.. ;)

wow