Moving Guitar Strap Button

[RockyRacc00n]

I prefer location 5. I think that is typical.

But I see some used guitars with buttons on location 2 or 4. Not sure if that should stop me from considering the guitar. Probably not, but it does bother me.

How big of a deal is it if the button was removed, the hole filled, and the button was moved to location 5?

Would that hurt the resale? Hurt the structure?

[murrmac123]

Location 5 is the most generally accepted among Martin owners, so if resale value (of a Martin) is a foremost consideration, then location 5 is the preferred option.

On some other guitars, with parallel heels, then location 4 is perfectly acceptable, and indeed preferable.

Locations 1 & 2 are slightly dubious ... possible balance problems, and almost certainly a value destroyer.

From a purely functional point of view, IMO an expertly installed position 3 is the optimum ... this was the preferred location for Doc Watson, and also, in more recent times, for the amazing John Doyle.

[RockyRacc00n]

Originally Posted by murrmac123

Location 5 is the most generally accepted among Martin owners, so if resale value (of a Martin) is a foremost consideration, then location 5 is the preferred option.



On some other guitars, with parallel heels, then location 4 is perfectly acceptable, and indeed preferable.

The used guitar I am thinking about happens to be a Gibson. Is Gibson the kind where location 4 is acceptable and perhaps preferred?

[mirwa]

With dark necks and heels, I do not think it hurts the value at all, on bright clean necks, I think it may be an eyesore if repaired in traditional way, but unlikely to affect resale value IMO.

For a price anything can be made invisible.

Steve

[Al Acuff]

I prefer to do away with the strap button altogether and run the strap to the headstock. That way you can do a whole bunch of great guitar moves like these:

[LeightonBankes]

On my home made jobby, I have it in position 2 and can confirm, it sucks. Forces the strap to turn 90 degrees coming over your collarbone. I'd change it but I almost never play standing up anyway.

[Rodger Knox]

Originally Posted by Al Acuff

I prefer to do away with the strap button altogether and run the strap to the headstock. That way you can do a whole bunch of great guitar moves like these:

Me too, only I don't have any moves

[Peegoo]

If the end-pin jack's strap attachment is less than confidence-inspiring for you, there's a dirt-simple fix. Here 'tis:

https://ibb.co/nztn88

The button for the other end of the strap is a standard (non-locking) type mounted on the treble side of the neck heel.

[pbud]

Originally Posted by LeightonBankes

On my home made jobby, I have it in position 2 and can confirm, it sucks. Forces the strap to turn 90 degrees coming over your collarbone. I'd change it but I almost never play standing up anyway.

What if you don't rotate it? Just straight down, so the pin goes through the other side.

[RoyBoy]

Position 5 is definitely the most common location. For me, personally, I don't like my left hand hitting it when I go up to play frets 12-15 (not too often). I have a new Eastman dred and I'm actually going with position 3 for that reason. But then, I'm a luthier and have no problem gluing in the little mahogany block to the insid of the rim to anchor it. That, and I don't foresee ever selling this guitar.

[Silly Moustache]

My choice is position 2.

This enables the guitar to hang perfectly.

When the time comes for these guitars to find other owners, the Straplock pins may be easily unscrewed and replaced with a pearl fretmarker, or if preferred, the end cap may be replaced.

[Rudy4]

You've already got 5 strap buttons on there already, you don't need another one!

(Well, somebody had to say it...)

I prefer position 5 because it helps with the balance of the guitar. I use flush mount Dunlop Strap-locs at both ends of the body and the strap hugs tight to the heel, so it doesn't have much effect on my access to the upper frets. That's important to me as I play 14 fret guitars and sometimes capo as high as the ninth fret.

"Position 2" always results in a guitar that tips forward, at least for me. I've only owned one dread that had the strap button there, but it didn't take long for me to figure out that it wasn't working for me.

[rmp]

For me it's 5...

[Frank Ford]

When I bought my new Martin dreadnought in 1983, I installed a strap button in position #3.

No regrets - it works well there for me, and it's where the button was on my first Martin in the 1960s.

On most guitars, I recommend #5 - #2 for flat heels. It's a matter of conventionality and balance

As a professional guitar mechanic, I routinely install buttons where the owner wants them, including all those pictured.

If your only concern is resale value, then don't add one. . .

[CaffeinatedOne]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

You've already got 5 strap buttons on there already, you don't need another one!

(Well, somebody had to say it...)

Ya beat me to it!

My preference is position 5; to hell with all the worrying about value.
But I'll try position 3 sometime.