Guitare Xtreme magazine, which featured us in n°132 (March), has published a gratifying new article in its June issue :
BG FRANCE
GLB15X and GLB10XL - High-end Products
We introduced Franck Bichon's work in Guitare Xtreme #132 and already appreciated the excellence of the manufacturer’s creations and the originality of some choices. Mostly decided ex nihilo, based on what he imagined to be important for musicians, the equipment of these high-quality straps seems to be a matter of common sense. We only needed a few months of real-world use to judge the relevance of these features. This has now been done, as we have installed a GLB15X and a GLB10XL on our guitars, both in the studio and on stage.
By Régis Savigny
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The Basics
A good strap is above all made from quality materials, well-crafted. Indeed, a strap is an investment for the long run. From experience, we tend to keep our straps even when we sell our instruments. If it’s about keeping a strap for a lifetime (personally, I’ve had some of mine since my teenage years, which is quite a number of years if you want to know, and the only ones I had to throw away were poorly made with substandard materials), it’s better to pay the price once and for all and opt for something local, durable, and comfortable. The leather used by Franck Bichon is of a higher quality than what you typically find from standard manufacturers. This is evident in the XL strap which does not really allow for any mistakes given its width. The reptile-finish strap is also leather, but this leather is treated to give it that terribly rock ‘n’ roll snake-like appearance. What sets it apart from other straps of equivalent quality is the manufacturer’s thoughtful decision to equip his creations with an absorbent layer, capable of both cushioning the weight of the guitar on the shoulder and absorbing the musician’s sweat so that they maintain some of their cool under the stage lights. The fact is, it’s extremely successful and incredibly comfortable. We mounted these straps on various instruments (a Steinberger GM-7, a Gibson ES-335, a Gibson Les Paul, a SG, a Fender Stratocaster, and a Guild X-170B very much in the Gretsch style), and at no point did we feel any fatigue, even during long standing rehearsals.
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Anti-Slip
Another unique feature is the addition of an anti-slip strip in the middle of the strap. Very narrow, it prevents the strap from rotating under the weight of the guitar, especially when the latter tends to tilt towards its head. This was the case with our old SG from the seventies that tends to nose dive a bit. We noticed that with these straps, our guitar remained stable. This allows you to occasionally release your left hand (or right hand, if you’re left-handed) without the neck diving down.
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Built to Last
Admittedly, we couldn’t test the longevity of BG products over several years, but the few months of use have left the two straps nearly intact, even though we didn’t spare them. We took great pleasure in leaving them folded in the case, rolled in the accessory compartment; they didn’t crease or warp. Excellent craftsmanship, at a surprisingly affordable price, ensuring you always have an effective, comfortable, and beautiful strap. We also note the emergence of a vegan leather range, even though Franck Bichon recently said he didn’t want to deviate from animal leather. The man, in addition to being skilled, is flexible in his approach. Respect. So, we have a new range to test as soon as possible. •
THE PROS
Everything: the quality, the comfort, the durability, the variety of products.
THE CONS
We looked, and we found nothing.
