Because I suffer from chronic neck and back pain, my love for big horns has caused me a lot of grief. I started checking out harnesses, but I didn't like the way they were designed.

  1. First problem: As a woman, I couldn’t find one that was comfortable for me.
  2. Second problem: I just didn't like the way the horn is attached so close to your body. I prefer the type of freedom a regular strap gives.
  3. Third problem: All the harnesses I was able to find had a plastic hook or clip assembly. I didn’t want to hang my expensive horns from a 50-cent piece of plastic.

My harness is seen here on my favourite mannequin.
She's a bit thinner than the average person, but you get the idea.
Photo by M. Margison


As you can see in this side shot, the metal hook hangs from the shoulders--allowing free movement of the horn .
Photo by M. Margison


Back view

Photo by M. Margison
A few years ago, I had a friend's husband design a custom harness for me. Paul was retired from the military, where one of his jobs was to repair parachutes. He was also somewhat of an inventor, so I went to him with a conventional harness and a regular strap, and told him I would like to have a combination of these 2 things.

What he created for me is like a partial neoprene vest that goes over the shoulders and has Velcro straps, which do up under my breasts. Men have tried it on, and it works great for them too--it is truly a unisex harness. The best part of this harness is that it not only takes the weight off my neck, but it also gives me the same swinging mobility that a regular strap provides. The only drawback with the harness is that it can get a little warm, especially when wearing it on a hot stage on a sunny afternoon.

With only neoprene and elastic over the shoulder, the weight of heavy horns is spread out over a larger area and doesn't dig into your neck or shoulders like conventional straps do.

The hook I had Paul put on the harness is metal, which I've been dipping in Plasti Dip every few months for several years.

Want to try making one yourself? Take a look at his image.


Close-up of metal hook assembly.

Photo by M. Margison

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Last updated June, 2005.