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Subject: where to fix guitar straps From: ermintrudeclaire Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:06 PM hi all, as a very novice giutar player i have been instructed to play standing up by my teacher, and so have attatched a strap to my guitar. i have drilled a hole in the bit where the guitar neck joins the body (sorry dont know the correct name..) and have the srtap on there as my teachers guitar. problem is i am finding the strap is tending to dig into my neck. Where else could i attach the strap for better comfort, and where is it safe to drill without damaging the (acoustic) guitar? |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: UB Ed Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:13 PM Claire, some straps have a string at the thin end that allows one to tie it to the top of the neck (underneath the strings above the nut). That may help. Also consider going to your local music store and trying some different straps; some may be more comfortable than others. By all means, please be very careful "drilling" your guitar. Ed |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: mousethief Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:17 PM Yeah, I'd get the guitar store to do the drilling. Most will do it for a nominal fee, or gratis. Maybe one of those fuzzy devices for making seat belts more comfortable would help? Alex |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:20 PM I'd suggest you get a wider strap... I drill all the heels of my guitars and install my own strap pegs... The Dremel Tool is a fantastic beast...I can't stand a guitar strap, tied at the nut... I find it get's in my way... It's all personal preference eh... Try a wider strap before you think about moving the strap peg already installed... that way you won't leave empty holes in your guitar... ;-) |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: GUEST,Buzz Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:20 PM Why not try a strap the same as Willie Nelson uses, just hangs round your neck,and clips into the guitar hole.does not get in the way at all |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:27 PM Willie's is a classical stap, and it's not hands free at all... if you let go of your guitar, it'll roll forward and crash to the floor... so what's the point of having a strap at all... I've always wondered if Willie doesn't do that just for the sake of being different... 'Cause it really is a dumb idea... |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: UB Ed Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:29 PM Clinton, you've seen Willie's guitar, right? |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:30 PM I have... |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: mousethief Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:34 PM Also they're very uncomfortable. Wider is better. |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: UB Ed Date: 11 Jun 01 - 02:34 PM I think he's got 4 or 5 extra holes in it. You're right. You want the security of knowing your ax isn't going to slip. Willie may not be the sharpest tack in the box... I also agree about the string above the nut. I suggested it as a way to alter the existing strap location without (gulp) drilling another hole. |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Grab Date: 11 Jun 01 - 04:48 PM If it's really digging into your neck, maybe check how your guitar is slung and try and find a better position for it. Or try a different strap - it may have a sharp side on it. Thick leather straps can have sharpish edges, and nylon straps can dig in if they don't go over a bit of you covered by a T-shirt (not recommended on sunburn! :-). A shoelace is ideal for tying to the nut. You can tie it right at the nut (underneath the strings) but I find this gets in the way of my fingers - on my classical, I prefer to lace it around the centre portion of the head which keeps it well away from my left hand. Best bet wherever you put it is to take the string round the guitar neck twice (or more) so that there isn't any tendency for it to slip around. And remember to tie the lace in a bow, otherwise you'll never untie it again!
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 11 Jun 01 - 04:55 PM Tied off to the centre of the head?!?!?! As irrational is it is, I'd be constantly afraid of snapping the headstock clean off at the nut... I'll stick to drilling and installing a 2nd peg in the heel... facing back up the neck... where no one ever looks anyway... ;-) |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Gary T Date: 11 Jun 01 - 07:47 PM I'm not bothered by the strap tying next to the nut, but it does feel rather different from one that attaches to a heel peg (claire-etc., the heel is the base of the neck where it joins the main body). My preferred location for a heel peg is facing the 8:00 position from the view of the player while holding the guitar in a level playing position(rather than facing 9:00 as Clinton described). This lets the strap wrap slightly around the curve of the heel. |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Murray MacLeod Date: 11 Jun 01 - 08:00 PM Another option is to remove(or have a luthier remove) the veneer cap at the bottonm of the heel and drill the hole there for the heel peg. This has the advantage that when you come to sell it again you can have the screw hole filled, the vebeer cap reglued and the instrument is still pristine. Only worth doing on a valuable guitar, however. I agree with Clinton that straps attached to the headstock SUCK ! Murray |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 11 Jun 01 - 08:14 PM Good point gary... 8:00 is a good position too, but I've never had a problem with 9 either... personal taste I guess eh! ;-) |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: ermintrudeclaire Date: 13 Jun 01 - 04:07 PM oooh - guess its personal taste then!! the heel must be where i drilled my hole and attatched my my peg so i will try a different strap. the one i have is serious bargain basement stuff as i am trying not to spend too much money on the guitar till i find out if i will ever be able to play the thing!!! thanks everyone for the input |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 13 Jun 01 - 04:41 PM Good luck eh! Let us know how it works out fer ya! ;-) |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: GUEST,Les B Date: 13 Jun 01 - 06:16 PM How are you placing the strap over your neck - that may be the problem ?? If you're a right-handed player the strap should come off the heel (or neck) of the guitar, over your left shoulder, down your back to your right side and under your right arm to the end pin in the lower bout of the guitar. I've seen some people (including a girl mando player in our band) just plop the strap over their neck so it comes off both shoulders. This puts a lot of pressure on your neck, is uncomfortable for the right hand, and looks really dorky besides ! |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 13 Jun 01 - 06:20 PM "just plop the strap over their neck" Really? I've never seen anyone that dumb... I sorta figured that people would know how to put on a guitar strap... like using shampoo... they'da seen it done once or twice before... I mean, it's not rocket science eh?!?! ;-) |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: GUEST,Les B Date: 13 Jun 01 - 06:37 PM Clinton - you just never know. The girl I'm talking about did her guitar strap correctly, but for some reason did the mando strap real dorky ?!? |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 13 Jun 01 - 06:39 PM See... mando's being much smaller and lighter, are usually just hung over one shoulder no? Seems like all the mando players I've seen wear 'em 'side saddle' like that, as opposed to 'guitar' fashon... I donno... Every body playes bodhran different too eh... |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: ermintrudeclaire Date: 14 Jun 01 - 04:14 PM actually i think its probably best if i just remove my left arm and have it fixed lower down my body........ |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: SINSULL Date: 14 Jun 01 - 06:49 PM Hmmmmm - kind of a different take on the Amazons' solution the bow string problem. I have a different question. The warranty on my guitar is voided if the finish is damaged by solvents used in tanning leather for straps. Is this damage common? How do I avoid it? And can't I just sit and play? |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Murray MacLeod Date: 14 Jun 01 - 10:22 PM I am not aware that leather straps pose any problems, but I do know that vinyl straps left in contact with a guitar will eat through a lacquer finish. Murray |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Songster Bob Date: 15 Jun 01 - 12:28 PM Strap tightness, width, softness, design, smoothness, these all have an effect on comfort. I usually try to set the length of the strap to be about the same if I were sitting down. That is, if I sit down and place the guitar on my knee or upper leg, I want that same position available if I then stand up (why get used to two positions?). If the strap is too long, when I sit down it falls off my shoulder and ends up around my waist. If it's too short, the guitar isn't held by the knee, but is suspended above it, which is also a drag. Bluegrass banjo players tend to use the one-shoulder-carry strap postition a la Earl Scruggs. You know why he did it that way? He was asked, and said "It's those damned hats! I couldn't put my strap on with this cowboy hat on, so I used the shoulder." And all those players who followed did the same thing, even without hats! I prefer a strap attached at the heel, and am steeling myself to drill into a nice Martin I bought with the idea of selling it again. But I need to get a gold-plated strap button before doing it, so I can match the tuners. Might do that (buy a button) this weekend. Bob C. |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: JennieG Date: 16 Jun 01 - 12:25 AM I have tried guitar straps in both positions - heel, and tied under the strings above the nut - and prefer the latter for my big guitar. I have played my classical guitar with that funny neck strap too and it never feels really secure so I sit down to play. Perhaps gender, physical size and build come into the equation too; I am short (5'1") and not of large build either! Larger male players seem to prefer the strap attached to the heel of the instrument. Besides the thought of taking drills and tools to either of my guitars fills me with shudders....... Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 16 Jun 01 - 02:23 AM JennieG... Your guitars have pick-ups in them? Or strap-pegs or an end pin jacks? If so, your guitars have already been drilled and screwed and such... ;-) |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: JennieG Date: 17 Jun 01 - 12:53 AM Ah, but that's how it was when I bought it 2nd hand; someone had already done the drilling and I didn't have to watch! I have thought of putting in a pick-up but haven't got around to it yet. Maybe one day.... Cheers JennieG |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: bill\sables Date: 17 Jun 01 - 08:00 AM I have made dozens of straps for players of various instruments and I find that a strap of two and a half inches width is the most comfortable anything narrower cuts into the shoulder and anything wider cuts into the neck. Nylon straps tend to fold or crumble into one narrow string so I make straps from top grain leather which holds its shape. I finish the strap by chamfering and rubbing the edges so as they don't leave a sharp edge and to keep the stains and tanning from marking clothing, and indeed guitars, I fix them with a final coat of pollish. So far I have never stained a shirt even when playing in a hot sweaty room. One other point is always take off the strap when putting the guitar into the case as most straps have metal adjustments which will scratch the instrument. Cheers Bill |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 17 Jun 01 - 12:03 PM Sounds like an advertisement Bill... got a place we can see yer work? ;-) |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: bill\sables Date: 17 Jun 01 - 12:42 PM It's not an advertisment Clinton but you could always ask Allan C, Les B, Annamill, Animetera, DWDitty, Big Mick, etc or try my profile page. Bill |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 17 Jun 01 - 12:59 PM Your profile page eh... lemme see if I can find that... ;-) |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: bill\sables Date: 17 Jun 01 - 01:08 PM You might want to find out about Rick Fielding's straps as well. Cheers Bill |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 17 Jun 01 - 01:21 PM I sent ya an ICQ mate... |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: wdyat12 Date: 17 Jun 01 - 03:15 PM I bought a wide leather strap with worked Spanish silver trinkets along the back side. The strap was too short even when I attached it to the heal peg I installed, so I attached a portion of an old belt with a buckle and holes to the fancy leather strap so I could adjust the strap. Then I attached the buckle end of my modified strap to the heal peg. Works for me. Did that make any sense? I guess you just have to see it. wdyat12 |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: wdyat12 Date: 17 Jun 01 - 03:36 PM Heal peg or heel peg? Whichever. wdyat12 |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Les B Date: 18 Jun 01 - 01:26 AM Bill Sables does indeed make a fine strap ! Mine is very comfortable and a real beauty. The new Martin guitar instructions make a big fuss about keeping a leather strap in a case with the Martin. (Tanning chemicals, oils, etc.) Just to be on the safe side, I take mine off and put it in a zip loc bag in the case. |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Grab Date: 19 Jun 01 - 09:47 AM Another detail to add to this, which Clare could consider... I've just got a metal-body resonator guitar, which lacks a heel button. Since it's all new and shiny I don't much feel like drilling into it yet, so I tied off with a shoelace at the nut, but (a) this got in the way of my hand, (b) it tended to fall off my left shoulder, and additionally (c) the extra weight of the guitar body affected the angle it hung at. To solve (a) I tied the shoelace between the first and second sets of tuners so that it rests on the lower tuners, but that made (b) even worse. So being an engineer, I looked for a solution... The problem was obviously that the angle the strap was coming off my neck was wrong. So to bring the angle down, I tried tying various strings in various directions until I got a solution. The final version has two laces. There's one tied around the strap at my left shoulder, threaded through a bit of plastic pipe (on _top_ of the strap) to let it run freely along the strap and to prevent the strap getting crumpled by the string. There's then a second lace tied from this to the button hole in the strap at the end of the guitar which can be lengthened or shortened to adjust it. So how does it work? Well, you've now got a continuous loop of strap around you, so the guitar can't slide anywhere. In fact, it's held in place much firmer than a strap on the heel-button. The left-hand end of the strap is totally out of the way, so it's completely free of your left hand. The lace goes across your body, so it doesn't press on you at all (although I don't know how it'd affect girls' chests) and it's behind the guitar most of the way across so it's pretty unobtrusive. Alternatively, you can pass the lace over the front of the guitar, which cocks it at a slight angle (adjustable by changing the lace length) to put the guitar naturally in a comfortable position for your hand. Sledgehammers and nuts may spring to mind (or possibly just "nuts" :-) but it does seem to work better than a normal strap mounted on the heel, and it avoids having to modify your guitar at all. Graham. |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: GUEST,Les B Date: 19 Jun 01 - 08:10 PM Sorry, thread shift follows! So Grab, what kind of resonator guitar did you get ? I'm just in the process of acquiring a Johnson, and was wondering where to put the heel button ! I'm not sure I quite understand the system you came up with. Care to explain a little further !?? |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Grab Date: 20 Jun 01 - 01:22 PM I got a Regal. It was a choice between that or a Johnson, and I thought the Regal seemed to have a clearer tone - the Johnson sounded a bit muddy. That was my initial impression, but after an hour of playing both and trying to decide, I'd confused myself and couldn't decide! :-) So I asked an assistant to play them both while I stood out to listen - that made up my mind, and he reckoned the Regal sounded better too. The Regal was the RD-02, I think - the metal-body one anyway (nickel-plated brass IIRC). I also had a play of the National that they're both copied off - that was a sweet guitar, but way ($2500) out of my price range! :-( This was at Elderly Instruments, BTW. While I was trying them out, they reduced the Johnson to $495 ($20 more than the Regal, rather than $120!) bcos they weren't selling enough Johnsons and had too many in stock. So maybe other ppl are trying them both, and buying a Regal instead... Not to influence your decision or anything! :-) But then, maybe you're getting a better model than the one I tried. The strap system is basically that instead of the strap going straight from your left shoulder to the guitar headstock, there's a lace across your chest from the end button to the strap at your left shoulder which pulls the strap down. This makes it impossible for the strap to slip off your left shoulder down your back, since the lace is holding it forward. You can run the lace under the guitar to be unobtrusive, or you can run it over the front of the guitar in which case it pulls the guitar face around towards you, making it easier to position your hand for playing fingerpicking. A plain lace over the strap will crease the strap up, so I've got a small bit of plastic tube in there, cut to the width of the strap. Take the lace through this once, around the strap, then back through the tube, then tie the ends together, and then tie another lace from the button to the end of this loop. I've tied this second lace to the strap button-hole rather than to the button itself, so that when I take the guitar off, I can just unhook the strap from the button and then just take the whole loop of strap and lace off intact over my head, instead of having to untie it every time. The plastic tube will work above or below the strap, but if you have it on top of the strap then it will spread the pressure on the strap better, and it will also slide along the strap better for adjusting its position. If you're interested, I'll try and work up a diagram. It's all a bit overkill, but it was just interesting to me to spend a couple of hours working out alternatives to a standard strap arrangement. I'm a sad case... :-) Actually, I'll try this for a while, and if it works out then I'll make up a more permanent version out of a leather strip and a proper buckle instead of bootlaces tied together. It certainly seems to keep the guitar in place much better than a normal strap. Graham. |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: Clinton Hammond Date: 20 Jun 01 - 03:05 PM Back to guitar straps! I saw a guy at my local once who had a really neat set up... all he had was an End pin jack and a really long strap... he'd attach one end of the strap to the end pin, throw the strap up his back over his left shoulder, down under the guitar and bring it back up to attach it again to the end pin jack.. then he'd plug in... It was freaky wierd, but I daisy chained a couple of straps together to try it, and it worked really well! Those who don't wanna drill for a heel peg, may wanna try this... ;-) |
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Subject: RE: where to fix guitar straps From: GUEST,Les B Date: 20 Jun 01 - 03:35 PM Grab - actually I got the Johnson all-metal body that Elderly put on sale. The $100 discount is what tipped me over the edge into yet another bout of GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome)! It hasn't arrived yet, so I'm hoping it meets my expectations -- I read several old threads here on Mudcat indicated it's not too bad a guitar. I understand your strap system a little better now, and the idea that Clinton came up with also sounds interesting. |
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