Strap button on new Martin 000-28H custom?

gtownblues · #1 08-20-2017, 11:22 AM

Bought a new Martin 000-28H custom and considering putting a strap button on the side of the neck heel. Good idea, bad idea? Opinions please. Thanks in advance.

#2 08-20-2017, 11:35 AM

It's a good idea if you like strap buttons.

I put them about here...

cmd612 · #3 08-20-2017, 11:36 AM

It's a good idea if you like strap buttons. It's a bad idea if you don't.

That sounds flippant, but quite seriously, you're going to get some replies saying "do it" and some saying "don't do it." Some people think strap buttons are hideous and an abomination. Some think a guitar without a strap button is about as useful as a guitar without strings. Some don't care.

So . . . it's your guitar. Use it how you like.

By the way, welcome to the forum!

[edit to add: I like mine in the same location Todd Yates shows above.]

guitar george · #4 08-20-2017, 02:29 PM

In the old days we did it like this:

EVERLY BROTHERS.jpg

AZLiberty · #5 08-20-2017, 03:13 PM

I prefer to tie them "hippy style" at or above the nut.

On a modern custom shop martin a strap button is not going to damage the value. I wouldn't do it on a nice vintage or collectable instrument though.

Earl49 · #6 08-20-2017, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZLiberty

On a modern custom shop martin a strap button is not going to damage the value. I wouldn't do it on a nice vintage or collectable instrument though.

^^ This. I put straps on the side of the neck heel as Todd shows, because I need to use a strap on most guitars.

Tying off at the nut (or above) lets the guitar hang in an off-center position -- putting the neck / body joint roughly abeam my right shoulder -- and that simply does not work for me. I need the guitar's body to be centered on my body for maximum comfort. YMMV.

Realbluesman · #7 08-20-2017, 03:27 PM

I would relax and live with it a while before permanently altering the guitar. Sometimes: Time changes everything.

Danji · #8 08-20-2017, 04:10 PM

I'm having the same conundrum at the moment with mine, (Atkin OM28). I know I have to install one, but I haven't the guts to do it myself. I'm getting a tech to do mine along with installing a pickup.

I'm not good with tools at all! I'm with Todd on the positioning. My archtops have theirs in that position.

Wade Hampton · #9 08-20-2017, 05:15 PM

Gtown, I own a 000-42 with the same bracing pattern and short scale as your 000-28H. Congratulations on getting such a fine guitar. I truly believe it to be one of the greatest acoustic guitar designs ever put into production.

When my daughter was about six or seven, she walked up to me as I was playing my 000-42 and said:

"Daddy, when you die I want to inherit THIS guitar!"

I said: "Well, okay, honey, but I'm not planning on dying any time soon."

She said: "I know that, but I wanted you and Mommy to know that I want THIS guitar!"

She's always liked that guitar best out of all the guitar I own or have owned, and the truth is, so do I.

Todd wrote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Yates

I put them about here...

Same here. That's where I prefer to put my strap buttons, as well. I take things a step further than Todd and put Schaller strap-locking hardware on all my guitars and all my straps, just to keep my guitars from coming loose at the worst possible moments.

Schaller strap lock hardware

Hope this helps.

Wade Hampton Miller

Danji · #10 08-20-2017, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

"Daddy, when you die I want to inherit THIS guitar!"

A girl who knows her priorities [emoji41]

#11 08-20-2017, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

..."Daddy, when you die I want to inherit THIS guitar!"...

If she plays, you could just give it to her now. My guitar collection is intact, but I've lost a couple of nice Brownings that way...

(Full disclosure, I do not know Wade's daughter and she did not pay me to say that.)

fongie · #12 08-20-2017, 11:37 PM

Whether you get to use it or not, it won't hurt to have one. By the way, you have a wonderful taste for guitar...........Congrats!!

ChrisE · #13 08-20-2017, 11:42 PM

Don't ask me how I know this, but a strap button works much better at holding the strap on than duct tape does.

Wade Hampton · #14 08-20-2017, 11:48 PM

After I recounted the story about my six year old daughter announcing that she wanted my 000-42 when I died, Todd wrote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Yates

If she plays, you could just give it to her now. My guitar collection is intact, but I've lost a couple of nice Brownings that way...

Naw, the 000-42 is one of my cold, dead fingers guitars, as in: "You can have my 000-42 when you pry it from my cold, dead fingers."

She does play guitar a little bit, but years ago she already claimed and received my exceptionally good-sounding satin finish Larrivée walnut parlor guitar. That's a truly great little guitar, and more than fulfills her guitar needs.

In any event, nobody'll get their hands on my 000-42 while I'm still breathing. That guitar ain't going ANYWHERE. No chance. No way. Not till I'm dead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd Yates

(Full disclosure, I do not know Wade's daughter and she did not pay me to say that.)

Honestly, it wouldn't have mattered if she had.

Wade Hampton "She Knows Better" Miller

Wade Hampton · #15 08-20-2017, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisE

Don't ask me how I know this, but a strap button works much better at holding the strap on than duct tape does.

Actually, it sounds as though it might be intriguing if you DID tell us your real life, Boys' Own Adventure story behind how you happen to known that.

whm