|
Subject: Adding a Guitar Strap From: pyewacket Date: 12 Apr 04 - 02:23 PM I am looking for advice on having a guitar strap installed on my Guild D25. My main query is the location of the upper end. Should it be on the tuning head or on the heel of the neck? Can anyone recommend a good strap and where to purchase it? What of the interlocking gizmos that allow for a quick disconnect of the strap? I presume that a quick connect is only used on one end. Elderly could be a source for me if recommended. Thanks to all in advance. pyewacket |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: ddw Date: 12 Apr 04 - 02:48 PM Hi Pyewacket, Had to answer this — I used to have a cat by that name. Not original, I know — but I was a theater student at the time..... Re the strap question; I infinitely prefer a button on the heel of the neck. It lets you balance the guitar at exactly the angle you like it and it affords complete access to the fretboard. I find the ones attached at the head or just behind the nut get in the way of your chording hand and/or a low-frets capo. As for the quick-release gizmos, I think they're a waste of money. If you have a button on the heel, just unbutton it and flip it over your head. Easier than hunting for another dangling end.... cheers, david |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: Mark Clark Date: 12 Apr 04 - 03:07 PM I've posted this elsewhere but don't have an immediate link. ddw has given you the correct answer but there are a couple of additional points.
Good luck, - Mark |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: Betsy Date: 12 Apr 04 - 03:09 PM Look in Yellow Pages for "luthier" or a decent music Instruments shop - he'll fix one in the correct place. I agree with ddw above - and think a new guitar neck could possibly bend by having the strap at the head / behind the nut. I very rarely undo the strap - only to put it back in it's case. |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: Clinton Hammond Date: 12 Apr 04 - 03:12 PM I'm with David... I'll even install it for ya if ya bring it to me... (I love the look on peoples faces when you tell them you're gonna DRILL into their BABY!) Elderly sells a thing that not only 'locks' the strap on, but is also a pick-holer... Me, again, I'm kinda with ddw above... I've never found occasion to evere NEED a strap-lock... but I know all kinds of people who swear by 'em |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: John Hardly Date: 12 Apr 04 - 03:50 PM Never forget though.......Mark is right. EVEN IF you have a strap lock for the end pin --- it's the endpin that can fall out! My HD28 came with an ill-fitting endpin -- just a tiny bit shy of fitting tight. |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: Willie-O Date: 12 Apr 04 - 04:30 PM Use a strap but don't trust it completely. They tend to come loose at inopportune moments. And follow Mark's advice about where to place the pin on the heel. People sometimes put them in weird places--like on the back of the heel, or the upper side (working against physics). Those kinds of decisions devalue the guitar, but a properly placed pin won't. If you have a combination endpin/pickup input, it needs a little extra care, and not all straps will fit it. |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: Art Thieme Date: 12 Apr 04 - 08:15 PM duct tape always worked well for me. Art |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: KateG Date: 13 Apr 04 - 07:12 AM Actually, I'm of the strap on the headstock school. And I find the quick release gizmo a help. It lives on the guitar, because threading the lace under the strings is a pain (especially since I have a slot-headed guitar so the strings come off the nut at more of an angle. Also its thin enough not to get in the way of my left hand when I'm playing. I generally play sitting down, and the strap lives in my case. On the odd occasions when I need to stand, clipping the strap to the top and buttoning it to the bottom is a piece of cake. And frankly, speaking as a woman of "ample charms" (a al Dolly Parton, rather than Mama Cass Elliot), I'm not sure I could hold the guitar in a comfortable position if the strap were fastened at the base of the neck. |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: Richard Bridge Date: 13 Apr 04 - 09:11 AM There has already been a thread about the best way to make a guitar properly accommodate the special chest features of women. I seem to remember some finding it worthy of almost obsessive interest. I disagree however with the "Taylor position" strap button - that's just where you need to get the side of your hand if you do want to get to the 12th fret. I also think it's more likely to cause splitting. I considerably prefer a strap button on the bottom of the heel. It's where I fit all mine (2 Hagstroms, one Mugen (Daion), one Martin, one Framus 12-string, one Morris, my daughter's Sigma DM2 and a Sigma DM1 I sold again). And they all sound different, so I want to take them al out with me because some suit some songs better than others. I just wish I could play well enough to justify all these guitars!! |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: GUEST,Whistle Stop Date: 13 Apr 04 - 09:20 AM I prefer the button on the neck heel, in the "Taylor position" as suggested by MArk Clark. I play at and above the 12th fret on a regular basis, and contrary to Richard's experience, I've never had a problem with the button getting in my way. As always with stuff like this, your mileage may vary. As for the "head vs. heel" question, though, I would suggest attaching it at the head first, and see how you like it, before deciding to install a button on the neck heel. If you find it awkward attached at the peghead, then you can install the button on the heel, and feel confident that you've done the right thing. If you like it at the peghead, you can keep it there, and you won't have drilled into your instrument unnecessarily. |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: Mooh Date: 13 Apr 04 - 09:37 AM The aforementioned "Taylor" strap button position doesn't suit many guitars with a flat neck heel either. I've found that it's a good idea to have the bottom of the button "seat" well with another flat (as possible) surface. I often use a leather or felt washer also, and I have specific punches for making them. I don't personally mind the heel-cap location (and I prefer it for mandolin) but many customers don't like it. Many bolt-on necks don't give enough depth in that location for a strap button screw. One of my instruments on order from a new builder right now has the button and neck heel designed together to look and function better. Likewise, in my own shop I've rebuilt many instruments with a more integral button...from an ebony pin in a slightly recessed cove, to flush mount style locking unit often seen on high end electric basses. It perplexes me that strap buttons are such an afterthought, but what the heck, I make a couple of bucks every time I install one. Peace, Mooh. |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: GUEST,Jeremiah McCaw Date: 13 Apr 04 - 11:50 AM With no connection to the company, other than as a customer, I would unreservedly recommend Planet Waves (a division of D'Addario) guitar straps, the ones with the "Planet Lock" ends. These straps are designed for the attach-at-the-base-of-the-neck-rather-than-the-headstock setup but otherwise require no modification to the instrument. Best of all, they tend to be what would be called popular pricing. Check out the site: http://www.planet-waves.com/gear_product_1.asp At he top of that page are listed "JACQUARD WOVEN STRAPS". Click on "Planet Lock", and you'll see whatI'm talking about. |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: Once Famous Date: 13 Apr 04 - 12:04 PM I've never used a heel button and have always used a good quality strap, either suede or soft leather at the headstock. The guitar I've had the longest a Gibson LG3 for 40 years has always been this way and the neck is as straight as always. Don't drill extra holes in your guitars for any reason unless you want to devalue them. |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: GUEST,DaveC Date: 13 Apr 04 - 01:47 PM I've wanted to move the upper strap to the heel area for a long time but have just never got around to it. As to the other peg, my Washburn came with a removable peg on the bottom that was supposed to 'button' onto a strap. Trouble was the buttonholes on ths straps kept wearing out, leading to 'catches' just a little too often. What I did was get a new strap and bought an eyebolt at the hardware store that was a good bit smaller than the hole that had held the peg. The eyebolt is 2" or 2 1/2" long -- goes in all the way without having to thread it, and when it's on an angle (which is almost all the time I'm playing or have it "on") the threads do sort of 'bite' inside the guitar preventing any slippage. The leather of the strap cushions the guitar bottom against the "eye" part of the eyebolt, and a flat washer to the outside keeps the strap from even being able to work its way off. To unhook I simply take the strap off my shoulders by going over the head, reach down and pull the eyebolt out. It is about as quick as that and stable as I can imagine anything being The only part requiring any caution is that when I put it in the case I fold the strap so the eyebolt winds up with the tuning pegs. QAD. Who needs Duct Tape? |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: GUEST,slickerbill Date: 13 Apr 04 - 09:04 PM Heel of the neck as suggested above. I don't know if you've got an old crap guitar kicking around, but if you do you can have a practice go on that first just to get your nerve up before doing it for real, and to make sure you've got the right size bit in your drill. As for straps, Levy makes some fine leather ones, quite reasonably priced. sb |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: Allan C. Date: 13 Apr 04 - 09:40 PM Some of the most beautiful leather straps in the world are hand carved by our own Bill Sables. Look for his info in the Mudcat Market. His prices are very reasonable and some of the proceeds go to the Mudcat. |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: Big Mick Date: 14 Apr 04 - 12:34 AM Bill Sables is one of the finest leather carvers I have ever met. He did a strap for me some years ago that gets comments every time I put it on. I would commend his work to anyone looking for a beautiful, keepsake piece of work. Mick |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: mooman Date: 14 Apr 04 - 12:07 PM Ditto Big Mick on Bill's straps. I have two matching ones (guitar and mandolin) and they are real beauties. Peace moo |
|
Subject: RE: Adding a Guitar Strap From: GUEST,Mountain Tyme Date: 17 Apr 04 - 07:18 PM Here is a different approach to guitar straps for your perusal that is a balanced delight to use! Fifty years in use, no alterations to my vintage Martin D's, no guessing the wrong drill size, no drilling holes, no expensive ugly chrome hardware to purchase, no dangling flower child mounting ribbons or strings! Be advised first, although REAL leather can be found, most leather on the market today including pre-made guitar straps and belts are of "manmade" leather. If you look closely you will see no "grain" to be apparent as is expected with real leather. Manmade leather fabrication is akin to sausage making. The resulting "leather" is stiff and cheap looking without proper surface patina or grain. These straps (the tooled or embossed kind) you will find to be very uncomfortably stiff and unmanageable. Most are expensive too. A good source for real leather strapping is a high end horse tack shoppe. My choice is halter driving mains of 60 plus inches. The only attachment of the strap to my Martin D is the end-pin. One pin, many guitars. The end-pin tightly and permanently pierces the continuous mobus loop strap in one place only. It is installed and removed from the guitar via the end-pin at each use. (for some 50 years now without a problem) One strap, one end-pin, many Guitars, no problem. The strap itself is one circular endless loop (around my neck and the body of the guitar) with end-pin permanently attached which I wear over my shoulder in the normal fashion even without the guitar being attached. The guitar body only, is hung within the leather loop, as it rounds the neck heel it suspends the body forming a perfect balance easily allowing neck attitude adjustment while playing. Very comfortable and safe. When performing, after the last song, I simply pull the endpin with strap attached freeing the guitar from its harness. The strap remains over my shoulder. This is a perfect arrangement for vintage instruments as no holes need be drilled and no neck stress is applied as there is with head stock mounting methods. Try it you'll like it! Mountain Tyme |
| Share Thread: |
