Strap Button placement

planetguy

I need to install a couple of strap buttons on my PARIS SWING GG-42 (14 fret Favino style D hole) and I'm wondering where the best place might be for the upper one.

1. bottom of neck heel (as in flush w back of gtr)

2. upper side of neck heel

3. lower side of neck heel

4. other

thanks all!

Jazzaferri

I have been debating putting strap on my Dunn for years but I still cant bring myself to do it.

Suggest getting someone to support guitar while you find the comfy way to hold it for you and then (having put the strap on the bottom and over your shoulder, stretch out the strap and see where the best lead is to, thinking about how the location determines how the guitar sits.

EG on underside of neck heel the torque tries to rotate the top out

Archtop Eddy

I have a number of old archtop and Gypsy Jazz guitars. They all have bottom strap buttons but none have top strap buttons. I just use a longer strap and tie the top end at the headstock with a string, old school-style -- very old school style. Works for me. Worked for Tarheel Slim too! (See pic) AE

klaatu

I've always preferred the neck heel placement, either centered on the back or the lower side. Placing it on the upper side runs the risk that the strap will slip loose. With all due respect to the countless great musicians who have tied their straps to the headstock as in Eddy's photo, I've always worried about the potential for placing stress on the neck.

Jazzaferri

Michael Dunn specifically told me to not tie a strap to headstock.

Anyone using a strap and not using Schaller (or similar) locking strap buttons is an accident waiting to happen.

Archtop Eddy

Concerning tying a strap to the headstock, all I can say is to each his own and do it at your own risk. Afterall, they're just guitars and if you feel safer attaching a strap button -- go for it.

Personally, I've tied straps to headstocks on a dozen guitars and I've NEVER had any issues -- and I've been strapping guitars like this since the 1980s. I guess I just like to live dangerously...

Besides, search as I may, I never could find a decent left-handed strap button. AE

Jazzaferri

I dont think Michael was worried about the neck but there is a 3 foot fulcrum from the headtock and perhaps on a lightly built guitar it stresses the body somehow.