Paul Gilbert's Controversial "Strap Height" Video...
In the following video, (titled; Paul Gilbert's Public Service Announcement), guitarist Paul Gilbert has produced what more or less amounts to an advertisement for DiMarzio guitar straps...
However, the additional message in the video is that guitar players "should" keep their guitar strung low, (around pant pocket height).
As the video is obviously an outright ad for the DiMarzio brand of guitar straps, it has left many viewers scratching their heads regarding the overall 'message' he seemed to be relating in the video. His message, or lecture rather, is all about setting your guitar strap height as to what he considers as 'properly.' Which is probably much too low for many guitarists out there.
While there's no doubt that Paul Gilbert is a great guitarist, as well as, a great instructor... and add to that his education at Hollywood's world renown "Guitar Institute of Technology" (G.I.T.)... many viewers are curious as to what exactly, and why exactly, he is going on about firmly promoting such a low strap height.
Some of his reasons for using a low strung guitar are quite odd. He discusses how the lower slung guitar height helps players create better vibrato. The example that he relates, as to why this is, has to do (evidently - according to Paul), with how we open locks on doors and how that height is the best /most ideal height for guitar vibrato, (???).
Guitar players are left wondering whether the video is "for real" or if it is simply a joke. Gilbert is well know for his goofy jokes... Watch it for yourself and you decide...
Watch: