Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?

Subject: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Scrump
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 06:14 AM

One end of a guitar strap is usually attached to a button on the base of the body, and the other is usually attached to either a button on the neck heel, or to the head. (I say usually because I'm aware there are other methods of supporting a guitar, etc.)

I don't want to get into any kind of argument as to whether either of the above two methods is better, i.e. the heel button or the head - this seems to have been covered in earlier threads.

For the purpose of this thread, I'm interested to get people's advice on the best way to attach a guitar strap to the guitar head.

I've tried a couple of ways - one is to tie a cord (which runs through the loop at the end of the strap) around the neck just behind the nut, under the strings. The problem with this is that it's too close to the fingerboard and can get in the way when you are playing (maybe that's because I use my thumb a lot on the bass string).

The second way I've tried is to do something similar, but behind a couple of the machine heads, usually the middle pair (for the 2nd and 5th strings). the problem with this method is that the cord can foul the machine head tuners, potentially altering them as you play (although I must say I don't think this has ever happened to me).

Can anyone advise a good method to attach the strap to the head that avoids the above problems? I can't think of any obvious alternative, unless it's possible to fit some sort of solid (metal or plastic perhaps) bracket to the head (the fitting would have to be non-destructive, i.e. no screws into the woodwork or similar) and attach the strap to that. Maybe such a bracket exists and I haven't seen it - again, if anyone knows of one, please let me know.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: GUEST, Topsie
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 07:20 AM

Must get new glasses - I read the thread title as 'Best way to attach soap . . .'

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 07:51 AM

Duct Tape
Glitter Glue
Thumb Tacks
Magnets
Magic

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:08 AM

I've seen Willie Nelson using a classical strap.It clips into the sound hole,goes under the body and fits around your neck.You got to warch it if you go to adjusting a mic using both hands,the guitar can fall anywhichway!
As for attaching soap,I...havent sorted that one yet!
David

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:20 AM

I have NOT tried this , as I dont have a problem with a loop of chord behind the nut , but having heard a similar cry from other guitarists regarding the Thumb problem ,I had thought about something like a Drawing Board Clamp -As used for holding paper to a board - With a hole drilled to take the strap , would this bring the strap up far enough to NOT be in the way ? Just a thought for consideraton .

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:30 AM

If a cord looped directly behind the nut interferes with with your playing, perhaps the cord you're using is too thick. I've used a device made by D'Addario called the "Guitar Strap Quick Release System" (CLICK HERE) which works pretty well. It's made of two loops of roughly 3/16" nylon cord which join together using a mechanism similar to what's used in a child's carseat. You attach one loop to your strap, the other to the guitar, and click them together when you need to play with strap attached.

By the way, the often heard advice that attaching the strap to the headstock will damage the neck is an old wive's tail. What can damage a guitar is the tendency some people have to rest their arms on top of the guitar between songs and unconsciously push down on the body a bit.   Doing that can damage a guitar even if you use a strap pin in the heel.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Scrump
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:32 AM

Sounds interesting, Leadfingers. I don't know what the drawing board clamps look like, but it was only while composing the original post in this thread that I thought of the idea of making some sort of metal bracket, that would fit across the head (possibly behind the nut, or between two sets of tuners).

The bracket would consist of two parts, that would bolt together each side of the head, each part padded with rubber or similar on the guitar-facing side, to prevent any damage to the guitar itself, and extending beyond the guitar for (say) an inch at the top side, with a hole through which you could attach the cord to tie the end of the strap to it - or you could even fit a strap button instead of having a hole.

Now, that sounds a simple idea, and maybe someone has already invented such a device which I could just buy instead of making myself. Does anyone know?

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:32 AM

I play a Martin (primarily) that has the problem you describe. I ended up buying one of the quick release connectors to prevent having to tie the strap directly to the tuner area. Since I don't chord with my thumb, interference with the bass string isn't a problem. I tie one part of the quick release directly behind the nut (the quick release has a moderately long loop of para-cord that you can loop on quickly w/o having to tie knots. Simarly, the other part of the quick release has a loop that can be looped into the button hole on the strap. Because of the length this adds to the strap, it won't really work well on straps with limited length adjustability (unless you have long arms and like your axe hangin' low).

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Scrump
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:41 AM

Thanks for the link BWL. The quick release thing looks useful anyway, so I might get one. I usually lift the guitar strap over my head to "put it on" or "take it off", but this might make it easier. But I can't see how it would solve the problem of fouling the player's fingers/thumb or the tuners, by itself.

I also like the idea of the strap button lock shown on the saame page. I've had straps come off now and again, luckily not causing much damage but I guess it could do.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: redsnapper
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:49 AM

I use the quick release cord mentioned above on several instruments (I think mine is Planet Waves) and it works well and can be adjusted to avoid tuners.

RS

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 08:51 AM

If it's such a problem, why bother? Put a button on the neck-heel. Not flaming or trolling, just making a serious suggestion.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Scrump
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 09:04 AM

No problem Strollin' Johnny - I just wanted to avoid getting into (another) debate about whether neck heel buttons are better than head attachments or vice versa, as I know this has been covered before, and everyone has different preferences on this. I was trying to keep the discussion onto the specific topic of how best to attach the strap to the head.

[That said, I take your point, and indeed I have a couple of guitars where I do use the heel button. The one that sparked off this thread doesn't have a heel button, however, and I could fit one (or get it fitted by the luthier), but I thought I'd like to know the answer to the question anyway (in some ways I prefer the head attachment to the heel position, but I'd prefer not to get into a debate about that, because I know everyone has their own preference on this and I didn't want to drift off the topic too much, as I said).]

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Scrump
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 09:06 AM

redsnapper - you say it can be adjusted to avoid tuners. Does that work by making a tight loop around the head and then having in effect a single strand of cord coming from that loop to the quick release catch? Maybe that would work, or at least reduce the scope for tuner fouling problems, as compared to a 'loose loop' which has two different strands from the head to the catch (or end of strap).

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: HiHo_Silver
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 09:35 AM

I go back to before guitar straps were popular and we used to buy either braided or twisted neck cords. Most had a tassel and sold for about $ 0.25. They were tied around the headstock just behind the top nut and was completely satisfactory to most. Ocasionaly someone would tie it around the headstock between the first and second machine heads. This for no particular reason. In later years the button on the neck heel became popular. This was a balance issue and pros and cons for either method can be argued indefinitely.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 10:02 AM

On old Martin guitars you can sometime see a button on the headstock similar to the one on the other end, to attach the strap, of course.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Scrump
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 10:09 AM

Sounds a good idea, Mark. Why don't they fit a button to the far end of the headstock, on the underside (when the guitar is in the playing position)? That would avoid any of the problems I raised above. But maybe it would weaken the headstock and cause it to split?

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Midchuck
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 10:16 AM

What BWL and redsnapper said. The D'Addario quick release, if you want to hitch to the headstock.

Keep in mind that, with many guitars, Martins especially, it's a no-no to put the guitar away in the case with the strap still on it. A lot of the plastic straps, and some say even leather ones, have chemicals than can wreck some finishes. (This doesn't apply to the Pacific Rim guitars that have a quarter-inch-thick coating of some kind of bulletproof shiny stuff.)

Incidentally, I was a holdout for attaching to the headstock for decades, but have come around to using a pin on the heel of the neck. Not because I believe using the headstock will hurt the instrument, but because the guitar position is a little more comfortable for me.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Scrump
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 10:22 AM

Thansk for the comments so far folks. Much appreciated.

OK, as instigator of this thread I'm going to widen it slightly to include the related subject of the bottom end of the strap: one of my straps has ends made of what seems to be layers of leather, sewn together. I find that the buttonhole gets a bit frayed round the edges, so I don't like taking the strap off too often because it's difficult to get it back on securely (the layers of leather have to be kind of pushed on individually).

Can anyone recommend a type of strap that doesn't have this problem, and is strong and reliable, i.e. unlikely to break at the end or come off unexpectedly?

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: John Hardly
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 10:32 AM

best thing I've ever used for that purpose is the device to which BeeDubyaEll linked.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: redsnapper
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 11:47 AM

Hi Scrump,

The quick release device cord can be placed just behind the nut or between tuners on some instruments. The two instruments I use them for both have slotted headstocks and the cord goes round the headstock above the upper (as you're playing) slot. Careful positioning has avoided fouling or the cord getting in the way on both.

All my straps are now solid leather but I've had the problem you refer to before with frayed layers on earlier straps.

A good and cheap solution to this is the StrapLok (can remember the maker, maybe Dunlop) which are a couple of $ or € each. These will prevent the strap coming off of the strap button. I always use them during gigs where I'm standing up, and they and the strap are never ever taken off of my resonator guitar which weighs a ton! (Could get a nasty broken foot if that fell!).

RS

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 11:54 AM

Concrete.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 12:11 PM

For large bodied guitars like dreadnoughts, I prefer the heel button, but for my mandolins I tie the strap between the tuning buttons and have never had any problem with it getting fouled in the pegs. I use a leather thong to tie it to the peg head.* The strap behind the nut does get in the way for me. Maybe it's the way I hold the instrument.
My wife has an old 12 fret O-18 with a slotted head. Her strap has a loop at the head end that she loops over the head around the tuning pegs when she wants to use the strap. This will not work on a non-slotted solid peg head because the strap would put pressure on the strings above the nut.



*I realised as I was typing this that "thong" has several meanings. I meant a leather boot lace, not panties or flip-flops.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Cluin
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 03:34 PM

You could use a stout leather lace, tied in a slip-knot looped around the headstock under the strings just past the nut, with only one strand of said lace connecting to your strap. Position the knot so it's not in your way and the lace can be a few inches long so the single strand is the only thing that might interfere at that end. I used to strap on my mandolin this way; actually, the whole strap was just a stout leather lace. But I've since attached a strap button to the body just above the heel. It's a polymer-backed mando by Ovation with access through the back to the inside so it was easy to reinforce the attachment point.

Attaching it to a button too far out on the headstock would apply a lot more more torque to the neck, I'd think. The debate rages on about whether that's a problem of course, but I prefer a strap connection closer to the body, especially on a guitar.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 07:34 PM

Fasten it to his collar.
Boom Boom!

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Scrump
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 03:37 AM

Thanks for all the helpful replies (and the not-so-helpful ones!).

I'll try to get one of those quick release devices, as it sounds as if it would help, at least, and I think the ability to release it that end could be useful sometimes. All I need to do now is find a UK supplier...

And having discovered the existence of the strap button lock, I must get a few of those too.

Can anyone recommend a good UK online supplier for this type of thing?

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 04:00 AM

Taking into account some guitar player's capabilities, a loop around their neck might do wonders..

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 08:30 AM

I used to use a shoe lace around the neck at the nut and then tie a strap to that. After a while I realised that whenever I stood up or sat down I had to re-tune the guitar; I've used a heel button ever since. However, I don't remember the neck attachment was a great impediment playing wise.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Betsy
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 08:39 AM

I'm with Strolling Johnny .It's a bad idea ,it's something you do when you don't know any better, and it hinders playing the guitar properly, especially chords like b7 using the first and second fret.
Use a heel button and forget about it all.

Cheers

Betsy

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Mooh
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 08:42 AM

Two cautions about straplocks, some can rattle enough to confuse recording engineers, and some can help make the button itself work lose. Discovered the rattle thing the hard way, and I regularly service instruments with straplocks which in the hands of those who jump around alot when they play, will loosen the buttons. Otherwise I like the locks on solidbodies especially.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: redsnapper
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 09:36 AM

These are the Lok Straps I referred to above. There are more expensive quick-release types b ut I like these best and they are secure.

Unlike Mooh, I haven't had a problem of them rattling. Perhaps that was they other type.

RS

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Grab
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 10:08 AM

Peter, your guitar must have either been extraordinarily heavy, or else your guitar neck was particularly flimsy. I've not seen that from my Lowden or my Regal resonator, both of which are fairly weighty beasts, and both of which have straps attached to the headstock.

For me, it's a shoelace between the lower two sets of tuners. As Scrump says, a string behind the nut gets in the way of your fretting hand. I've not yet had it twang a tuner, although it sometimes slides round so that the strap length is all wrong, but that's not the end of the world.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Mooh
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 10:14 AM

RS...You're right, those won't rattle. The ones I referred to were Schaller brand, and I use them all the time on 3 electric basses and 4 electric guitars, but they will rattle especially if there's no weight on them. There is another variety, PickBoy used to market them but I think Dunlop does too, which have a sort of spring loaded ball bearing plug whch inserts into the button. It also works well.

Also seen are heavy leather washers installed from the back of the button over the strap before installation, preventing the strap from slipping off accidentally. The strap remains attached to the axe with this fix, but it's handy for those who jump around a lot when they play. The poor man's solution, but functional.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Scrump
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 10:14 AM

To those who advocate the use of a heel button: I don't disagree, but some guitars don't have one anyway. Sure, I could get one fitted or do it myself, but I may have reasons for not wanting to alter the guitar at all - perhaps it may belong to someone else and on loan, for example.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Pete_Standing
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 12:21 PM

Grab

It was a cheapish guitar, so probably did not have a particularly strong neck/truss rod and was probably heavy too.

I have upgraded twice since then but never been tempted to have anything other than a button on the heel. Makes walking a bit funny though.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best way to attach strap to guitar head?
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 01:47 PM

Not had problems with bootlace around neck behind nut and under strings.
I was just wondering about the extra button on heelstock.
It would be secure and works well as so many of you can testify but I would wait untill warranty ran out on new instruments before having one added just to be on the safe side re other faults that come to light after a short period.
I undertand you can buy a stand to hold your guitar in the playing position that avoids all strap related problems.
Doubtless such an item will bring questions of its own.