What is this gizmo?

[SheiLaLa]

Hello friends,

I was enjoying my Friday browsing through German vintage archtops over on Reverb when I came across this thingy that I haven't seen before in my weeks and weeks of experience investigating archtops.

I'm not sure if it's a guitar thing or an archtop thing, because I've never come across one in my months and months of experience with guitars.

Please identify this thingy. It's attached to the back of the upper bout on the bass side. This one is white plastic. It's visible in the first photo and quite clear in the eighth photo. I've also seen one in metal.

https://reverb.com/item/50030885-ver...mus-stella-50s

Many thanks!!

[stevo58]

Wild guess - a way to attach a strap?

[ssstewart]

wilder guess.... kazoo frame holder

[SheiLaLa]

Well, Don's kazoo reply is more fun, but I suppose it could be for a strap. I'm having a physics-phobic kind of day here today. I'm thinking about the big fat (heavy) necks these guitars had. Would attaching a strap back on the bout in that location help prevent neck-diving or would it make it worse?

And no, I'm not the engineer in the family.

[The Old Gaffer]

I am going to guess that it is an el cheapo hack to close up a separation between the back and side of the guitar.

[SheiLaLa]

Originally Posted by The Old Gaffer

I am going to guess that it is an el cheapo hack to close up a separation between the back and side of the guitar.

That explanation sounds likely. The gizmo in question would do that job.

[beatcomber]

It's a strap holder. I've seen those on Hofners too, so I guess it was a German thing.

You note that the Hofner strap on Paul McCartney's bass had a hook clipped to the tailpiece (!!).

[SheiLaLa]

Originally Posted by beatcomber

It's a strap holder. I've seen those on Hofners too, so I guess it was a German thing.

You note that the Hofner strap on Paul McCartney's bass had a hook clipped to the tailpiece (!!).

Times have changed, have they not?

I'm trying to make out where the other end of Mr. McCartney's bass strap was attached.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by SheiLaLa

...I'm trying to make out where the other end of Mr. McCartney's bass strap was attached.

It looped under the end of the fingerboard, and was secured with a leather thong - here's a pic:

[SheiLaLa]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

It looped under the end of the fingerboard, and was secured with a leather thong - here's a pic:

Thank you!

[beatcomber]