Strap button installatuon

[littlebobby]

I am clueless with anything technical. This is probably a very easy job, but thought I should run it past the brains on here. No issues with fitting one to the heel of a MM 36 or should I use the headstock / bit of string approach?

[Michael Messer]

No problem's with fitting a strap button to the heel of that neck, but don't screw it into the back, screw it into the underside. This is to avoid splitting the wood.

Mark the drill bit with a piece of tape to avoid going any deeper than the length of the screw

For most strap button screws use a 2.5mm drill bit (that's millimetres, not Michael Messer) and scrape the screw with candle wax so it doesn't stress the wood as it goes in.

On MM guitars I like to use a felt washer like these.....

www.amazon.co.uk/Musiclily-Basic-Guitar-Button-Washers/dp/B08LD2CTMM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1G4HFT35MKCM6&keywords=strap%2Bbutton%2Bfelt%2Bwashers&qid=1692003209&sprefix=strap%2Bbutton%2Bfelt%2Bwashers%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-5&th=1

Oh, my personal choice is to put the strap around the headstock as the balance is better, especially for slide playing. Around the headstock pulls the neck back towards you, rather than pushing it away. None of my own guitars have strap buttons in the heel.

Shine On
Michael

[Pickers Ditch]

If you're going to fit a button to the heel don't forget to drill a pilot hole for the screw first.

[littlebobby]

I’m inclined towards using the headstock to be honest. I’ll have a scout around and look at straps. Thanks chaps.

[leeophonic]

Headstock with a strap for me, nothing worse than a blob of metal hanging out of the heel of a guitar.

Regards

Lee

[Pickers Ditch]

Aug 14, 2023 8:56:05 GMT Michael Messer said:

No problem's with fitting a strap button to the heel of that neck, but don't screw it into the back, screw it into the underside. This is to avoid splitting the wood.

Mark the drill bit with a piece of tape to avoid going any deeper than the length of the screw

For most strap button screws use a 2.5mm drill bit (that's millimetres, not Michael Messer) and scrape the screw with candle wax so it doesn't stress the wood as it goes in.

On MM guitars I like to use a felt washer like these.....

www.amazon.co.uk/Musiclily-Basic-Guitar-Button-Washers/dp/B08LD2CTMM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1G4HFT35MKCM6&keywords=strap%2Bbutton%2Bfelt%2Bwashers&qid=1692003209&sprefix=strap%2Bbutton%2Bfelt%2Bwashers%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-5&th=1

Oh, my personal choice is to put the strap around the headstock as the balance is better, especially for slide playing. Around the headstock pulls the neck back towards you, rather than pushing it away. None of my own guitars have strap buttons in the heel.

Shine On
Michael

Michael, I've think I've spied with my old eyes that you use a leather strap extension around your headstocks - am I right?

If so, would you be so kind as to post a photo so I can see how it's done without fouling the strings and pulling them out of tune, please.

Thanks,
PD

[snakehips]

Hi there !

Personally, I find a strap attached the the neck/headstock weird.
With a heavy National, I also find the heavy body end slip downwards and risk being nutted in the head by the headstock !
This, as it turns out if you have a strap that is smooth / slippery on the underside.
So, I would use a strap that eg. has suede on the underside - so it doesn't slide over your shoulder.
Other people may not experience the same issues I have with a strap attached to the headstock.
I just prefer a strap button on the heeel.

Whilst a strap button on the side of the heel might be better for the neck heel (avoiding the risk of splitting the wood) - I have two issues with putting the strap button on the side of the heel :
1. Aesthetics - It looks like a big pluke on the heel - an unsightly growth !!! (when you don't have the strap on).
2. I think they get in the way of sliding high up the neck - the strap button AND the strap iteslf.

Thus, I much prefer the strap button on the very end of the neck heel.
I've only ever slightly cracked the heel doing so (on a brand new 1996 NRP Delphi, the week after I bought it !) - and even so, I think it only cracked the finish on the neck heel - not the wooden heel itself. I didn't drill a pilot hole with a big enough drill bit.
Best to chose a drill bit almost the same diameter as the screw you will use.
I test first on a scrap piece of wood : - drill your pilot hole - and see how easy it is to screw in the screw into the hole.
If the screw feels too tight, your pilot hole needs to be bigger.
If the screw goes in far too easily - and is hardly gripping, then the hole is too big.
If the screw goes in without too much effort, then you've got it about right.
I've never cracked a neck heel using a scrap piece of tester wood first to choose the best pilot hole drill bit size.

[Michael Messer]

Aug 14, 2023 10:24:38 GMT Pickers Ditch said:

Aug 14, 2023 8:56:05 GMT Michael Messer said:

No problem's with fitting a strap button to the heel of that neck, but don't screw it into the back, screw it into the underside. This is to avoid splitting the wood.

Mark the drill bit with a piece of tape to avoid going any deeper than the length of the screw

For most strap button screws use a 2.5mm drill bit (that's millimetres, not Michael Messer) and scrape the screw with candle wax so it doesn't stress the wood as it goes in.

On MM guitars I like to use a felt washer like these.....

www.amazon.co.uk/Musiclily-Basic-Guitar-Button-Washers/dp/B08LD2CTMM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1G4HFT35MKCM6&keywords=strap%2Bbutton%2Bfelt%2Bwashers&qid=1692003209&sprefix=strap%2Bbutton%2Bfelt%2Bwashers%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-5&th=1

Oh, my personal choice is to put the strap around the headstock as the balance is better, especially for slide playing. Around the headstock pulls the neck back towards you, rather than pushing it away. None of my own guitars have strap buttons in the heel.

Shine On
Michael

Michael, I've think I've spied with my old eyes that you use a leather strap extension around your headstocks - am I right?

If so, would you be so kind as to post a photo so I can see how it's done without fouling the strings and pulling them out of tune, please.

Thanks,
PD

Hi PD

I do have two Levy's suede straps that are now around 25 years old. They are fantastic quality and do the job perfectly. They don't slip because they're suede and they are great quality, I have had them cleaned twice in that time and they are sill, not like new, but well worn in and comfortable.

I will fit a strap onto a guitar and take some photos, then it is there for all to see clearly.

Shine On
Michael

[littlebobby]

So it’s buy a strap and attach the string yourself then?

[Michael Messer]

Here you go Mr PD, This is how my strap is fitted.

It does not slip, it pulls the guitar back into position that is similar to sitting with the guitar. It does not touch the tuners, it is not in your way when playing and it is very comfortable.











....and here is the same strap from sometime in 2006 in action.


Shine On
Michael

[pete1951]

The ‘Son House ‘ National has a ‘button’ on the heal ( not where I would have put it).
It was fitted by a BBC technician when Tom McG. turned up at Top of the Pops to play Pretty Flamingo and discovered there was no button.

It’s made of a bit of small tubing and a washer, it probably won’t last ( though that was almost 60 years ago

Pete

[Pickers Ditch]

Thank you, Mr.MM.

[slide496]

Hi Michael,

Your postw with PD also amay have helped me in another area, when you wrote "They don't slip because they're suede".

I thought I would try putting some chamois I have for cleaning the guitar underneath my electric when I sit, and it may be the solution I have been looking for. My electrics, especially my bobkat slips even with a strap and I find that annoying and distracting.

Thanks to you both then...