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"To button or not to button?"


Aster1

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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. [flapper]

 

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

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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!

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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.

 

 

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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...

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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 ...

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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?".

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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 [scared]).

 

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. [biggrin]

 

Aster

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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 [scared]).

 

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. [biggrin]

 

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.

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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.

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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...

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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....

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Of course I was meaning like here:

 

heel.jpg

 

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

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Of course I was meaning like here:

 

heel.jpg

 

 

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.

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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/itm/Neotech-Acoustic-Guitar-and-Banjo-Adaptor-Loop-/300676730316?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=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!

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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. [flapper]

 

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

Yes, the age old question again, with no clear-cut answer. I think it depends on the guitar and how tastefully that its done.

Since most acoustics seem to have a white/cream button on the butt-end from the factory, I think that one placed at the heel should match it closely. I hate the look of those chrome screw-on buttons that look like they belong on an electric guitar.

Stew-Mac sells a very nice ivaroid strap button (screw-on) that does not show the screw head.

 

http://www.stewmac.com/Shopping?actn=search&keyword=strap+buttons+for+acoustic+guitar&x=28&y=14

I installed one of these on my '47 SJ. It was a 'no-brainer' for me at the time. When I got the guitar there was a scew ding in the heel already. It appeared that someone was going to screw a button in without drilling and then gave up [cursing] . The other issue was that the original butt-end button had shrunken just like the old tuner buttons did. It was totally useless and as small as a pencil eraser.

It was the perfect opportunity to install a matching set of ivaroid buttons. Have been pleased with my decision...

 

2381112090066230676S600x600Q85.jpg

 

I chose to install a white felt washer under the base for a more finished look. The position of this button works well and is out of the way.

 

The butt-end button is a tapered peg type. I chose not to glue it as the fit was snug anyway....

 

2586023210066230676S600x600Q85.jpg

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I've only tried a headstock tie strap once on my J-45, and I didn't give it a long trial. I put it on, and it didn't feel right to me from the beginning. I played a little bit with it and still didn't like it. Having said all of that, I still haven't buttoned my J-45 yet. Not sure what's stopping me really.

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While I have installed strap buttons on many guitars in the past, I have not been able to bring myself to it on the Gibsons I now own. I use a leather strap button adapter as shown in a package previously. The one I have is from Martin, looks like this in action...........

 

strap2.JPG

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

 

Zip it, Wily!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyN-krBTWLY

 

PS. I note that Gillian Welch opts for no button on her J50, but that David Rawlings has buttoned his Epiphone. I'd have thought the button would cramp upper fret access for lead runs, especially where there is no cutaway and where the button is positioned as in that photo above. It's not a problem on an SG or ES335, because the cutaways are so deep and the fretboard extends so little over the body. On my Epiphone Casino, I'm not so sure that the button doesn't add to the problem of reaching upper frets which extend over the body, and on my Howard Roberts I'm glad that the button is inserted in the upper bout as on a Les Paul. On an acoustic, of course, the frets extend significantly over the body. As a player that would put me off from buttoning to be honest, quite aside from sharing Danvill Rob's and Pfox's sentiments (not planning on selling my Woody either, but don't want to drill). Would love to know where shoestrings-style leather strappies are available in Europe...

 

PPS. I was referring to Aster's photo, not Rod's. I understand your decision in the circumstances, Rod. You can still send me your SJ when you get tired of it. Not sure I'd add a button to a '47 that had no such hole in it, though. And I'm not fond of the tied headstock look - it's just that looks are not everything. I any case, I like to play acoustic sitting down really. I play better that way. Electric too, come to think of it.

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PPS....I did,however, save the drill-out dust [thumbup] Just in case, I wanted to remove it and fill the hole 'properly' [laugh] Like I said, there was a bit of a digout in that spot anyway. Hey, a repair is a repair [wink]

I too,sit down mostly, but having a strap on also, allows for more comfort and flexibility when the action 'heats up'....

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