The Guitar Strap Lady

Six of Christine's Straps at an Eagles Concert.
Photo: courtesy of Greg Rule

I know it gets a lot of flak, and to be honest I'm probably not its greatest exponent anyway, but sometimes on Facebook (and you can befriend us HERE, of course, la la la) you come across really interesting people doing somewhat amazing things.

One such lady is The Guitar Strap Lady, aka. Christine Rea, who makes what are quite simply the most beautiful guitar straps you'll ever see. OK, not the most rock 'n' roll purchase you'll ever make, but if you are a pro you can't really underestimate a bit of comfort, and lets face it if you are a Les Paul player, anything that saves your back is a godsend.

Anyway, the straps, as you can see, are brilliantly designed. Christine does that and they are a bit of a must have for the rock aristos, with Kenny Loggins among the people that the delightful Ms.Rea has made them for.

The cost? Well, with each one taking a couple of months to make by hand, it won't be a surprise that they cost a bit - $1200 for a custom order, but then what price your back, eh?

Anyway, I was going to get journo-like and rewrite this in my own barely-literate style, But I asked Christine a couple of questions and this was her description of what it is all about, which is far more illuminating…

“I started making my guitar straps about 20 years. I had been a huge Kenny Loggins fan for about 8 years and wanted a way to say thank you to Kenny for all the free concerts I had gone to.

I didn't want to give him something that would go into what I call "the halls of memorabilia never to be seen again". I had no clue how to make them and spun the idea around in my head for about a year until I decided to just try it.

My influence is Native American. I lived in NW Montana for about 14 years and love that country and the Native American Culture. I made 2 straps for Kenny Loggins (gifts) within a year period. Timothy B. Schmit and I went to the same high school but I had never met him until I sneaked backstage at a Dan Fogelberg concert in Los Angeles in 1993/94.

I just happened to have Kenny's straps with me to show Timothy and he loved them.

That first guitar strap was completed just before opening night of the "Hell Freezes Over" Eagles reunion.

I have currently made 8 or 9 straps for Timothy. I was able to get a brochure backstage at a George Strait concert in Pennsylvania and heard from his manager the following week that George wanted a strap.

I have made 3 straps for George. Timothy B. Schmit turned me onto Bernie Leadon (one of the original Eagles) and I made a strap for him.

It takes me about 2 months to make a strap so I am unable to mass produce them to sell in a shop.

The great thing about technology is that I just need access to the internet, a telephone and FedEx and I am set for business. I get great satisfaction from seeing some of my favourite performers wearing my guitar straps, especially on award shows.

I have yet to get to Jon Bon Jovi and Keith Urban but I am trying!”

You can find out more about Christine’s beautiful work at her website HERE and you really should, as the designs are perfection.

Well Hung

Hanging. The Tories aren't quite in yet, but I thought I'd get with the Zeitgeist early.

Anyway, just a quicky update as I've been playing with The Beano One and even remembered to take a couple of fotos. I know, stunning stuff.

Well, I finally finished the design - and believe it or not, getting it as I wanted it wasn't just a case of chucking bits of comic and seeing where they landed.

No, really.
It wasn't.

But it looks how I hoped now, the various holes have been recut and generally it is pukka like a pie.

What next, I hear nobody cry?
Well, I'm glad you didn't ask.

What next is that I hang the guitar in the garage and spray it many many times over the course of the weekend with a lacquer of some sort, in between a few light sands and a bit of a tacking on the sly. I don't do too much smoothing as that is kind of a mile away from what these Jookified guitars are meant to be like, but you need a bit. Honest you does.

Well, more to do, but as you can see it looks good, and I even remembered to mask off the fingerboard. Clever stuff.

Other than that, one of my Facebook friends suggested Bare Knuckle Peter Green-type of pickups, which could be nice, and might happen. But then again, might not. I don't know.

Not visited us on Facebook yet? Well, only three people have so that is a fair bet to be honest. We're Here, by the way.

Do say hello if you are there though, we have the lowest number of friends of any guitar related thingie.
I'm a wee bit proud of that, actually.

Laters dearies.

Feeling Social and yet Sad, all at once

Now, I don't know why but I figured it might be nice to join Facebook
so I did
and I'm not really sure what to do next.

Sad, I know, but
I have no frends
and
well,
I didn't realise before but...

I'm here if you want to say hello.

*sniff*