Playing Tech: Belt Buckle

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Fortunato
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 11:24 AM

Three choices, use when appropriate.
1)I usually play in a jacket in cool weather.
2)In warm weather I wear Hawaiian shirts left outside the pants and no buckle at all.
3)Last, I turned my buckle to the left for years playing Rockabilly, the Charlie Christian pickup belt buckle was a Telecaster eater.
Nothing anal about it, unless, of course, you stick it up your ass. (Sorry to steal your lines, Catspaw, but it couldn't be helped...)

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Gary T
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 10:10 AM

What Leadfingers said. If the buckle will go through a loop, you merely scootch it over one. If the buckle is bigger than that, you have to rethread it. Besides solving the scratch problem, this eliminates the extra thickness pushing the guitar away from you.

I cringe seeing the suggestions to shorten the strap. Rather like telling a motorist to move the seat back so he can get a good view out of the mirrors--you adjust a car seat to where you can operate the pedals and steering wheel, then find a way to adjust the mirrors. Likewise, you adjust the guitar strap to where you have the correct reach and hand position, then find a way to avoid buckle scratching. You sure don't have to screw up your holding of the instrument to solve the buckle problem.

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Jeri
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 09:06 AM

You could also move the buckle off to the side. Me, I'm not a guy. I don't wear a belt most of the time and my pants don't fall off. (If you speak UKish, neither do my trousers, .) It wouldn't be too hard to make a little cylindar of cloth or leather that goes over the belt and slides over the buckle once it's fastened. If one was handy, one could put a little pocket in it to store one's flat picks. Hmmm...

The Big Belly theory works, except if you wear a shirt with buttons or metal snaps on it.

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 08:51 AM

"Yet another use for duct tape!"

well, only if you are playing a high-class society gig...*grin*

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Dead Horse
Date: 03 Aug 03 - 04:33 AM

Yet another use for duct tape!

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 10:18 PM

Use a leather buckle.

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Bert
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 08:53 PM

That's a good one Leadfingers, I'll have to try that when I'm wearing a more formal shirt.

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 08:44 PM

I know a few Guitarists who have their Belt Buckle offset to the other side of the trouser loop to avoid this self same problem.

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: bill\sables
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 05:44 PM

Both Rick Fielding and myself make and carve leather belt buckles. Sounds like a good way to make some money for mudcat
Cheers Bill

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 05:15 PM

(well..almost at the same time)

I once bought a nice belt buckle from a guy who did leather work..had tooled leather on a curved surface. Craft fairs often have folks who can do this sort of thing.

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Bert
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 05:14 PM

It's quite simple really, you pull your Mudcat tee shirt out of your pants. It works perfectly every time.

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: rangeroger
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 05:10 PM

I once had a leather covered belt buckle that was perfect for protecting the back of the guitar. Wore it out and can't find another.

I keep my strap shortened up enough to keep the guitar above my belt. I also second Clnton's suggestion. The bigger belly keeps also keeps the guitar away from the belt. I knew I could rationalize it somehow.

rr

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 04:47 PM

There's nothing anal about caring after your guitar saul... nothing at all... anyone who tries to tell you differently has never had an instrument they care about...

My suggestion... build yerself a good beer belly, so that the guitar is held up and away from the belt buckle!

LOL

Seriously, shorten yer guitar strap a bit and get in the habit of holding the guitar more on your right hip as opposed to right in front of you...

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Forsh
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 04:47 PM

I have a bit of stick-back foam rubber, which I liberated from a packing company, they used it to cusion machines they were crating up.
other than that, put the axe behind your head & play- some folks can.

Subject: RE: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle
From: Amos
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 04:21 PM

Shorten the strap, or ride the axe on your hip, or take your belt buckle off.

A

Subject: Playing Tech: Belt Buckle Scratches
From: saulgoldie
Date: 02 Aug 03 - 04:15 PM

I tried to find a thread to tag onto for this question, but I could not. I have noticed that my belt buckle scratches the back of my guitar. How do others handle this problem? No belt buckle? Turn your belt? Put something over the buckle to pad it? All of these seem kind of anal to me, although I definitely don't want the scratches. Thanks for any suggestions.