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Post by glyderslead on Jan 9, 2015 17:29:42 GMT
This might sound trivial at first glance, but I really don't like the idea of drilling holes in the body of my guitars.
So, you can see my quandary when I say I have a couple of instruments that have the strap button placed either on the neck heel or on the back of the upper horn. From a playing position and balance point of view my preference is for the button to be on the tip of the horn - a la Strat; but I am holding back from making any alterations.
Have other members had this problem and what did you do about it?
Cheers
Mick
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Post by Steve Reynolds on Jan 9, 2015 17:59:02 GMT
Hi Mick, personally for me it depends on the guitar, I find some guitars with little annoying nuances that I don't like but as I have a few different ones I tend to leave things as they are as it makes them unique. I guess it depends if you can put up with it or not. if you cant then give it a go assuming its not a really expensive guitar
hope this helps
thanks
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Post by somebodyelseuk on Jan 10, 2015 9:06:43 GMT
'The back of the heel' guitars; if they're semi acoustic/hollow, don't, under any circumstances, move it to the top horn. It's highly likely there isn't enough wood for the screw to bite into - why they put it on the heel. If it's a solid body, like a Yamaha SG, Gibson SG etc, drill away, BUT be warned, it probably won't change how the guitar hangs on the strap. 'They' put them there, because that's about as well balanced as those designs allowed.
I played Yamahas for years. They tend to want to tip forward and feel neck heavy. Moving the strap button would have only cured the 'tipping' problem. The neck diving would still be there.
Cheers, Julian
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Post by Viv on Jan 10, 2015 10:30:41 GMT
On acoustic guitars I personally like to place the strap button on the underside of the neck as shown below. Been using this method for about 50 years now.  |
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Post by glyderslead on Jan 10, 2015 19:07:39 GMT
Hello Gent's, and thank you for your input here.
At this point perhaps I should mention the guitars I have that are at issue:
Burns double six - which has the button on the back of the top horn
Yamaha SG2000S. - button on the neck heel
Yamaha image elite - button on the neck heel
I've tried Steve's idea and have left things as they are for a long time, however I feel that now it's time for me to do something. I appreciate Viv's note, but don't have an acoustic guitar with a problem. Juians thoughts partly resolve the problem - and may be a sufficient cure for my Yamaha's. Still don't like the idea of drilling extra holes though.
I've seen a photo of Elvis with a double six and his answer was to tie one end of his strap to his guitars headstock. With my double six I've tried connecting the strap to the button on the back of the horn and then run the strap down and under the horn so it then goes up over the front of the horn. This is ok, but doesn't look very good.
I think I wiIl leave matters for a few days to see if others have any novel suggestions.
Thanks again
Mick
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Post by glyderslead on Jan 11, 2015 11:53:10 GMT
Hello Viv,
When I saw the photo in your post my mind said "flat top" and I don't have one of those. I forgot about my arch top, a DeArmond Guild Starfire. This guitar has the button on the heel, so I do have a question.
Does the position of your button on the underside of the neck cause the instrument to roll forward?
It looks to me as though it would, but I would appreciate your comments.
Thanks
Mick
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Post by Darryl on Jan 16, 2015 16:48:47 GMT
Hi,
I have a Double 6 and also found that it tipped forward.
I devised a "fix" using a large washer & Shaller locking thingy. The balance is now as good as my Apache.
I will post a photo next week when my main PC is up and running again.
Regards
Darryl
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Post by glyderslead on Jan 16, 2015 23:01:24 GMT
Hello Darryl,
That sounds interesting. I can't picture in my mind just exactly what you have done; but I expect when we see your photo it will be so mind boglingly obvious. I really hope whatever is done it will also work on buttons put on the neck heel.
Cheers
Mick
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Post by Darryl on Jan 22, 2015 16:26:18 GMT
Hi Mick,
I have spent eons trying to find how to add an attachment but I failed so will describe my "fix" including some points that are probably obvious.
If someone can advise me how to upload the picture I will add it.
1/ Replace the strap buttons with locking buttons of the Shaller type.
2/ The horn button is on the rear of the guitar.
3/ I cut a round hole large enough to fit snugly over the button in my 3" strap near the end of the strap. Place the strap over the button with the strap outside face facing forwards/against the the back face of the guitar.
4/ Place a washer over the button. I used one with an O/D of 22mm - it's what I had in my draw.
5/ Fit the lock on the button. The washer is sandwiched between the strap & lock. It may be a bit tight depending on leather thickness.
The washer helps to prevent the guitar tilting forward. I also glued two short strips of leather from a belt to the rear of the strap near the button.
It's probably not the most elegant of solutions but it can't be seen when playing.
Regards
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Post by sheendigs on Jan 23, 2015 15:00:24 GMT
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Post by glyderslead on Jan 26, 2015 16:16:43 GMT
Hello Darryl,
I really think you have something there. It obviously works as you use the method now. When I read your notes I wondered if it could be further improved by using a length of metal instead of a washer and glued to the back of the strap so it extends upwards above the horn, then bending the metal forward over the horn and then upwards again. Almost a gentle "Z". I wonder if this would give the effect of having the strap fixed to the front of the horn. I'm going to give it a try when I locate a suitable strip of metal.
Hello Sheendigs,
thanks for posting the photo's. As you say Strats' invariably have the strap button on the horn and the photo showing the button on the back of the guitar using one of the neck "bolts" is a great idea if that is what you want.
That leaves us now with the question : how do we deal with a button on the neck heel?
Cheers
Mick
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Post by sheendigs on Jan 26, 2015 20:51:37 GMT
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Post by glyderslead on Jan 26, 2015 23:23:41 GMT
Hello Sheendigs,
That's an interesting photo, thank you. The buttons numbered 1, 2, and 4 are often placed in these positions and the one numbered 5 is in the same position as that suggested by Viv; but none of these look to be useful to me. The button numbered 3 looks to be best placed for me although I would prefer it to be further up the shoulder. The problem then of course is how to strengthen the relatively thin wood so it will take the strain placed on a button.
Cheers
Mick
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