[Aster1]

Hi guys,

We'll first off, I did a search and didn't turn anything so I'm a gonna axe it:

On an expensive Gibson do you all have a strap button added to the neck heel or do you just "tie one on" above the nut with the string loop? I didn't know if the button addition devalues the guitar any and wanted to hear some constructive feed back. Or you can poke fun at me for feedback too. I'm not a crybaby with a fragile ego.

Thanks in advance for any constructive info on how you manage a strap with something like a J-45, Dove or Bird that you laid out a fair amount of $$$ for.

Aster

[fortyearspickn]

Hey Asker, We can always use one more not a crybaby Gibson lover. Obviously the guit's come standard with ONE - and adding a heel button is so common, I'd guess it would never reduce the re-sale value. Well, unless it were a one in a million guitar - belonged to Elvis, Lennon, Dylan... and didn't have one when they had it. The button adds functionality, so if you don't like the shoelace tied to the head - just get it done by someone who knows what they're doing!

[michaeljohnr]

I always thought guitars looked silly with the strap tied out to the neck.

I always added a strap button to the neck heel and it's never hurt a thing.

[DanvillRob]

I wouldn't put a "non-OEM" button on the Dove, Doves In Flight or the 'Bird.

I also don't like the looks of a shoestring holding up one end of the guitar.

So, I found some leather straps made to go around the headstock just behind the nut, with a button to attach to a nice strap.

That seems to have solved that issue for me.

[Joe M]

DanvillRob, on 24 March 2012 - 06:59 AM, said:

I wouldn't put a "non-OEM" button on the Dove, Doves In Flight or the 'Bird.

I also don't like the looks of a shoestring holding up one end of the guitar.

So, I found some leather straps made to go around the headstock just behind the nut, with a button to attach to a nice strap.

That seems to have solved that issue for me.

Sounds like that's just what I've been looking for, Rob. Any particular brand and/or source for the straps you've found?

Thanks...

[EuroAussie]

I just get my luthier to add a strap button at the heel, have it on all my guitars as they all get gigged regular. Costs like $15

I persoally strongly dislike the look of the strap at the nut approach, not my cuppa tea ...

[DanvillRob]

Joe M, on 24 March 2012 - 07:16 AM, said:

Sounds like that's just what I've been looking for, Rob. Any particular brand and/or source for the straps you've found?

Thanks...

I got two on ebay...then they got scarce there, so I bought the last one directly from LM Products.

Playmaster Acoustic Strap Hook on Ebay

[duluthdan]

If it has a pick-up in it, or you intend for one to be installed, I would not hesitate to put on a strap button. If it does not have a pick-up, I'd think twice. I used to use a leather shoelace to loop a strap to the headstock on one of my highend guitars, then I installed a Highlander pick-up, and a strap button. It probably comes down to the question, "are you a player? or a collector?".

[Aster1]

duluthdan, on 24 March 2012 - 07:34 AM, said:

It probably comes down to the question, "are you a player? or a collector?".

Thanks to all for the feedback. I am both a player & collector. I wouldn't have guitars that I'd not use & enjoy, but just like them to keep their resale (if ever needed to cash out ).

I have my J-45 Custom in at the luthiers right now to do a total setup & fret polish. I'll just have them add a button on the heal and be done with it. Rob, on the OEM button part, you mean one that is just like the Gibson on the tail of the guitar? Would StewMac sell the OEM style you are meaning? I can add them to my Dove myself I'm sure.

Thanks again.

Aster

[DanvillRob]

Aster1, on 24 March 2012 - 07:45 AM, said:

Thanks to all for the feedback. I am both a player & collector. I wouldn't have guitars that I'd not use & enjoy, but just like them to keep their resale (if ever needed to cash out ).

I have my J-45 Custom in at the luthiers right now to do a total setup & fret polish. I'll just have them add a button on the heal and be done with it. Rob, on the OEM button part, you mean one that is just like the Gibson on the tail of the guitar? Would StewMac sell the OEM style you are meaning? I can add them to my Dove myself I'm sure.

Thanks again.

Aster

I have no idea why Gibson does or doesn't add a button at the heel.... but even on my old Dove, I just wouldn't do it.... couldn't do it.... would make me feel like I've tampered with the originality...and I'm CERTAINLY not worried about the resale value.....I will never sell any of them.

[pfox14]

DanvillRob, on 24 March 2012 - 07:49 AM, said:

I have no idea why Gibson does or doesn't add a button at the heel.... but even on my old Dove, I just wouldn't do it.... couldn't do it.... would make me feel like I've tampered with the originality...and I'm CERTAINLY not worried about the resale value.....I will never sell any of them.

I'm with you on this one. I wouldn't do it either. Not so much because of hurting the resale value, but I just don't like the way a strap button on the heel looks.

[DanvillRob]

pfox14, on 24 March 2012 - 07:55 AM, said:

I'm with you on this one. I wouldn't do it either. Not so much because of hurting the resale value, but I just don't like the way a strap button on the heel looks.

And it could gouge up the case too.

[ritchie69]

When I bought the J200 custom I immediately put the strap button on the neck heel with no thought, the guitar was already electrified, then ready for live use, and since I don't like the shoelace tied to the headstock, the choice was pretty obvious...
now my main concern is: Should I put a transducer on my new Doves In Flight? Don't know yet, it cost me a lot of money, and I would leave her(the DIF) intact...but since I like to play my guitars in live gigs, sooner or later I'll do, and in same time I'll add a strap button at the neck heel...
I've never losing money when I resold the instrument with a 2nd strap button added, especially if it was already electrified, it's a minor modification, obligatory for some guitarists...
Maybe, put a transducer in, could lose some of its value, since it was not intended for that use (although almost gibsons are prepared for a UST), but even in this case, I didn't lost money...

[Joe M]

pfox14, on 24 March 2012 - 07:55 AM, said:

I'm with you on this one. I wouldn't do it either. Not so much because of hurting the resale value, but I just don't like the way a strap button on the heel looks.

+1

Thanks for the info, Rob, I'll check those out....

[MissouriPicker]

For myself, I like the button on the heel of the guitar. I think it looks better. However, I typically have a strap tied to the headstock of some guitars. Don't always get-around to having a button installed.

[Aster1]

Of course I was meaning like here:



I see what you mean about adding something. I guess I just haven't ever trusted the strap on the headstock and then Crash. But, the leather loop looks like maybe a good thing to check into.

Thanks again

Aster

[45slinger]

I had a button put on the heel before I ever took my 45 home. It's nothing fancy, just a great playing Standard that I intend to play out, and I can't play it if I can't hold it!

[KL]

Aster1, on 24 March 2012 - 11:01 AM, said:

Of course I was meaning like here:

I really dislike strap buttons added in that location and I have seen many guitars I would have bought if it was not for a strap button added in that location.

[jedzep]

Here's the greatest little loop to make it so you don't have to tie and untie a knot to free your guitar above the nut, the most obnoxious thing about tying to the neck. It has a leather button that slips into and out of your strap, and loops around the neck. I rant about this too much, but a button at the neck heel sends your neck down or up depending on the weight distribution of your particular guitar. Effort ideally spent moving freely from fret to fret now has to partially support the neck, diminishing your agility and fluidity. When you attach at the head you immediately notice you can let go of the guitar completely and it stays where it is. Perfect balance. Try this 4 dollar thang and drill not!

http://www.ebay.com/...=item4601bacdcc

By the way, a neck heel button that faces toward the player is the easiest position for the strap to pop off. Beware that!

[onewilyfool]

"To button or not to button?"....We are still talking about guitars, right???