Acoustic strap - where do I put it??

[Jaganath]

Howdy,

I just got back from Visiting Ann Arbor near Detroit and picked up a lovely Acoustic while I was there.

The problem is that I can't figure out where to attach the strap?
The strap pin on the bottom of the guitar is there but the fishman pickup controls are where the other strap pin should be and there's not another pin on there

Do I have to get a special kind of strap or something??

Thanks guys :headbang:

 

[Bludave]

Re: Acoustic strap - where do I put it??

Planet Waves sells a strap made specifically for Acoustics. It has a strap the wraps around the headstock and can be disconnected with a quick release clip. This is IMO the best way to go. The other alternative is to install a strap button somewhere near the heal of the guitar neck. That is the strongest place to install a button. I prefer to just buy a Planet wave strap. Its safer and does not alter the guitar.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/365218/

 

[Jaganath]

Re: Acoustic strap - where do I put it??

Thanks Dave,

I think I'll go for the Planet Waves strap rather than fitting a pin, it was scary enough filing down the bridge! You'd think they'd make adjusting an acoustic easier

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Acoustic strap - where do I put it??

I play my Martin sitting down at home for the most part and couldn't bring myself to install a strap button at the heel of the neck of such a beautiful and simple vintage style instrument. My Taylor I bought to gig with and did install a strap button at the heel of the neck on my Taylor. I followed the Taylor instructions and drilled a small hole on the side of the heel and installed a Fender style strap button. I did not mount it into the back of the heel...that's not the right way to do it. Lew

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Acoustic strap - where do I put it??

I, too, couldn't bring myself to drill a hole in my Guild D-55, so I went the Planet Waves route. But there are some nice leather straps out there that have leather "strings" on the end that can be used to tie around the headstock. If you've got a strap that you'd like to use, just buy a piece of leather (they sell leather shoestrings, like you would have on a docksider or boat shoe), loop it thru the button hole on the strap & tie it to the guitar. A slip knot works well!!! Just be sure it's nice & tight. :13:

 

[Bludave]

Re: Acoustic strap - where do I put it??

I, too, couldn't bring myself to drill a hole in my Guild D-55, so I went the Planet Waves route. But there are some nice leather straps out there that have leather "strings" on the end that can be used to tie around the headstock. If you've got a strap that you'd like to use, just buy a piece of leather (they sell leather shoestrings, like you would have on a docksider or boat shoe), loop it thru the button hole on the strap & tie it to the guitar. A slip knot works well!!! Just be sure it's nice & tight. :13:

Planet Waves sells the quick release unit seperatley, so it does make it easier to take the guitar off and on. I think the whole strap is like $20. and the quick release is $7.95.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Acoustic strap - where do I put it??

One thing that I don´t like is that sometimes a strap "tied" to the headstock and butt end of an acoustic (Planet Waves or the "classic" method with leather or string ties) is that it can cause the neck to warp or "disalign itself" over time. It´s not very common, but I´ve seen it before.

On any acoustic that´s not already or potentially "vintage" I therefore recommend adding a small block of wood to the inside of the upper bout, drilling that hole and mounting a strap button there. This is IMO the Correct way to do it.

But if a preamp is in the way (and ONLY then, as is the case here) the heel of the neck. Going the heel route causes the guitar to "fall forward" when not playing, so that may or may not be a solution for you. Be VERY careful while drilling, though, or you can split the heelcap or even the neck. I agree with Lew that it´s not necessarily the "correct" way to do it, but sometimes you don´t really have other viable options

But again, it´s not too common for the neck to develop problems, but it can happen. You have been warned

*edit* I´ve also seen makers (Seagull IIRC, and I think The Taylor directions recommend the same thing) mount the button on the treble side of the heel. IMO the worst route to go after the neck tie, because the guitar still falls forward AND the button impedes high fret access....