Jazz Lab SAXHOLDER Saxophone Harness - Black

Like many saxophone players, I suffer terribly with neck and shoulder problems. My cervical spine is in such poor condition that I can actually feel the vertebrae cracking against each other in the mornings. I have been searching for an alternative to a neck-sling for ages, especially since I started doubling my tenor with the baritone sax. I tried harnesses but found them far too restrictive and couldn't breathe properly. I tried a Neotech shoulder strap for saxophone which just goes over one shoulder instead of round the neck, but after any length of time with the baritone the muscle on the left shoulder (I think it's called the Trapezium) just went dead and I could hardly lift my arm. In desperation I started looking at playing-stands for the baritone, and would have forked out the two to three hundred quid required for these if I had been convinced that they would have worked. Unfortunately they all look as though you have to play seated, and I didn't fancy being that restricted. Then I saw this Saxholder. For just over £40.00 I thought this was worth a risk, and I'm absolutely delighted with it. At first glance it looks a bit fragile, but it seems well made and I have no reason to suppose that it won't stand up to the job required of it. Certainly it works well with both tenor and baritone, without even having to make much adjustment to the length of the cord which holds the hook. Other reviewers have remarked that the pad which rests on the stomach or abdomen is prone to slipping about a lot, but I have had no problems although I have a fairly flat abdomen. (Sorry everyone, I'm not casting any aspersions here). It does move slightly to one side when you ease the weight of the sax off (like sitting down between tunes with the weight resting on your thigh), but when standing up playing, the weight of the sax keeps this nicely in place as a proportion of the weight is transferred to the abdominal pad. This is adjustable up or down, to accomodate players with different length torsos. I find mine is best at the longest setting where the pad rests just below my belt. This is not restrictive in any way, and doesn't affect my breathing. I even think that it improves my posture as I tend to keep my back straighter, and therefore breathe more effectively as well. The shoulder hooks are quite comfortable and don't feel as though they are going to slip off. After a while I know that I have been wearing the baritone, but it is 100% better than anything else I have found. The only improvement I can think of would be to make the shoulder hooks perhaps slightly wider and more padded, but then they might not hook over the shoulders quite so effectively. Otherwise it's brilliant, and when folded up into it's bag you can slip it into the bell of the horn.

I researched this very thoroughly before I purchased it and was not at all sure what to expect, however, as someone who plays pretty much full time sax and experiencing very painful neck problems following a motorbike accident 30 years ago, I decided to give it a go. It is some of the best money I ever spent in my life, instant relief from pain, I can play hours at a time with it and my mouth packs up before my neck pain stops me. It is quite true that it can feel a bit weird sitting down or bending over, but maybe because I had read the reviews and anticipated this, I seem to naturally place a protective around my horn if it is in danger. Oh, I play tenor sax. Very happy with my saxholder....................oh................the only slight downside is it doesnt seem to fit in my bell when in its case, quite as neatly and easily as on the videos, it does fit neatly in the compartment all cases seem to have bottom right on my tenor....I havent tried alto as I so rarely play it.

I'm learning the tenor sax, couldn't get on with the usual neck straps, I found they were hurting my neck by putting pressure on the vertebrae. This harness is light, easy to use, the sax stays secure on the hook. The chord locks in place, but can quickly and easily be adjusted with the sax hanging on it. By spreading the weight across your shoulders and sternum, playing is very comfortable. Highly recommended.

I had to purchase this item elsewhere due to a delivery issue, so this review is product based only. I play a tenor sax and was playing in my first concert this evening. Having been used to practicing at least 2 hours a day, the old neck strap was literally a pain. You feel all the weight of the sax in one point and I was forever adjusting it due to fatigue and/or pain. My massage therapist suggested getting something that sits on my shoulders preferably as wide as possible so this was the one I ended up buying. When I put it on the transformation is immediate. It didn’t feel like I was holding the same saxophone. The weight as the description says is transferred across a much wider area making the tenor sax feel almost weightless in comparison to the neck strap. What it didn’t say was that if you’re used to playing your instrument while struggling with fatigue, this will change the way you play. I was lucky in that I had time to practice, but I found that notes that had ‘questionable’ tones were brighter and more focused because they required less effort. I could’ve played all evening such was the lightness of the sax with this harness. I dare say that there are others out there which do the job, but what I loved most about this was the ease in getting it on and off. If I was to mark down a point I would say that the stem could be less ‘scratchy’ which can be resolved with a light sanding and when leaning forward just be careful as it can feel like it’s going to slip off. It didn’t but it’s just a precaution. Otherwise it’s a great piece of kit and gets my massage therapists approval.

This is a truly great product. I love to play saxophone, practice every day and play in a band, but oh my poor neck. I discovered this saxholder and bought one. I took my time to adjust it so it fits comfortably and WOW! No more neck pain, no more restricted throat and juggler and no more restricted breathing. Most of my playing is sitting down so it just took a little while to angle it correctly to distribute the weight to each shoulder. At first the slight pressure on my abdomen felt a little strange but I soon got used to that. Now I can play breath and articulate much more freely and for much longer and the sax can be moved freely too. A realy great product.

Always got a sore neck after about 15min of playing with a normal tenor sax strap and it was holding back my efforts to play. With the Sax Holder I no longer get a sore neck and can concentrate better on what I am doing. My playing is now improving at a faster rate.

Amazing product! Takes the weight of my tenor sax comfortably onto my shoulders, no more neck ache! I can now practice for much longer. You hardly feel the harness when it is on and it is equally comfortable both standing and sitting. I can't recommend it highly enough. Yes it is a bit pricey but in my opinion it was money well spent.

This is a brilliant product. I have had neck surgery and am cautious about heavy weights around my neck. I was struggling with a normal sling especially with the low notes. This resolved those problems instantly allowing better positioning for my right hand. I played the tenor sax and clarinet in a show, so constant putting down and picking up. This meant I could have the sax on my lap with no weight around my neck and do all the quick changes. I was sceptical when I first saw them, but it is the best piece of kit ever!!