How To Accessorize With 1970s Flair

Now here’s a blast from the past: a saxophone neck strap circa late 60s to mid 70s.

     Source: modal_jazz

I happened to notice this little gem this morning, as I was trolling eBay for the search term: vintage saxophone. Now do I feel old or what? I believe that my parents got me something similar when I started playing sax in 6th grade.

Now you know what they say: If you wore something the first time around, you can’t wear it the 2nd time it comes into fashion. Although I’m hard pressed to see these ultra-wide, neck-killing straps coming back into fashion anytime soon—not with all the other neck-saving options out there nowadays.

This is how the seller describes this retro find:

You are bidding on a vintage saxophone sling that’s suitable for alto or tenor saxophones. As you can see from the design it dates between the late 1960s and the mid-1970s. It’s in used but good condition. Obviously, the length of the sling can be adjusted to suit different saxophones. The broad strap provides lots of support by spreading the load across your neck. The metal clip is rivetted onto the main strap by a piece of black leather.

     Source: modal_jazz

     Source: modal_jazz

      Source: modal_jazz

I must admit, this retro neck strap reminds me of a simpler time. A time when summer vacation was spent hanging out with my friends; hitting tennis balls against the side of the school gym; and riding our bikes to the lake or to the park. Playing saxophone in the summer was something I did—albeit badly—when I had nothing better to do with my friends, or when it was raining.

I’ll have to dig through my box of music stuff, and see if I can find my old saxophone strap from back in the day. I think it might have been white, with lots of red, blue, and yellow on it. I think I only used it for a year or 2 before it got replaced with a Ray Hyman neck strap. Now those were good straps.

That said, I see a number of very practical applications for this retro strap currently for sale on eBay. If you’re playing in a band that dresses in 1960s or 1970s style, then this could definitely be a strap for you. Also, some people just really liked this style of strap. If you happen to be one of them, then you have until July 15 to get your bid in.

Bids are to start at £10.00—that’s approximately $15.52 US according to eBay. At the time of writing there were no bids yet on this funky bit of saxophone paraphernalia, that will let you accessorize in retro style.