Jimi Hendrix’s Ace (Woodstock) Guitar Strap

During his iconic Woodstock Festival performance on August 18, 1969, Jimi Hendrix used a guitar strap with a distinctive pattern that caught the attention of many. The strap was made by Ace, a company known at the time for producing a variety of guitar straps with unique designs.

Auction

Jimi’s Woodstock strap was auctioned in 2008 for an undisclosed price. (If you come across any information about the strap’s whereabouts post-auction, feel free to share it in the comments below.)

This patterned Ace guitar strap was used by Hendrix at Woodstock, as well as the Hollywood Bowl in 1967 and other performances. The strap originally came from David Vega, lead guitarist of the San Francisco funk band Graham Central Station. Vega had been given the guitar strap from a sound technician who worked at Woodstock.

Original Source Needed

The wording surrounding this story can be confusing, as it seems to imply the strap originally belonged to Vega and was later given to Hendrix. However, the opposite must be true—the strap likely went from Hendrix to Vega.

Additionally, confirming with certainty that this is the exact same strap used at both the Hollywood Bowl in 1967 and Woodstock in 1969 remains challenging. The possibility of Hendrix owning more than one identical strap further complicates the matter.

Modern Versions

If you’re looking to own a replica of Jimi’s Woodstock strap, several companies produce similar designs today. One of the most popular options is made by Dunlop, though the pattern on this strap differs slightly from the original, and the overall quality may not match expectations.

A higher-quality alternative, albeit more expensive, is Souldier’s handmade Woodstock guitar strap. This version appears to be a faithful replica of Hendrix’s original strap, offering better craftsmanship and attention to detail.