[Epiphone SG Special - Issue]

I have the same or similar guitar that I bought late last year. It is a very large strap button with a kind of unforgiving profile on it. Looks like you did a nice job replacing the strap button. My fix was to enlarge the hole on the el-cheapo guitar strap I bought from Guitar Center with it. :-)

 

Hello Gary622,

Mine will allow the cheap strap on in it, but no locking device, that I have found so far. I have had cheap and expensive straps pop of the buttons with very minor to medium damage, so I feel I need a locking device. Good luck!

glennc

[Epiphone SG Special - Issue]

I was going to suggest a red rubber grolsch washer; the rubber really grips even thin strap buttons and it is a cheap and delicious solution

 

Hello dubstar,

I had heard of the grolsch fix. Not being a beer drinker I am unfamiliar with the size of the washer. The groove in the button is so thin that the cheapest leather strap tab and almost anything will fit. I can't even use the better brand straps as their leather tabs are thicker than the groove. But I will take a look anyway. Finger' crossed. Thanks

glennc

[Epiphone SG Special - Issue]

The Screw insert goes the full length of the original hole. And the second, smaller screw, is the original screw that came with the strap locks. I run the Dunlop strap locks, and don't think they thought of this (rather poor) neck/strap design. I hope this helps you!

 

Howdy again Oopssorryy,

O.K. that explains it all! Very inventive. I just might give that a try. I have got to do something about this and your idea sound easy and doable for me. Thanks for your time and great advice.

glennc

[Epiphone SG Special - Issue]

Got pics of what I did now. I installed a piece of plastic, basically a plastic screw that threads into the screw hole of the bolt on neck. Then I took the smaller screw that came with my strap locks and tapped it into the plastic screw adapter thing.

 

Back Plate with screw adapter in hole. (The Black pad is there to protect the shiny metal surface.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oopssorry/5741747554/in/photostream

 

Strap Lock VS Neck Screw

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oopssorry/5741747554/in/photostream

 

Strap Screw going in.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oopssorry/5741205633/in/photostream

 

Finished product!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oopssorry/5741216079/in/photostream

 

I wasn't able to take the adapter out, as if I did I would need a new one (might break it). I'm not sure were to get them, as I was given the one I have from my Gpa, but you should be able to go Home Depot and ask around and get what you need. I've been using this setup for about 3 years now with no issue, so it should work for you too.

 

Hello again Oopssorryy,

That is a clever idea. The plastic screw insert you used, was it the full length of the hole in the body? Also do you recall if the original strap button wood screw was the same length as the other 3 screws? Glad to hear it is working and holding up! Congratulations on inventiveness!

Thanks you!

glennc

[Epiphone SG Special - Issue]

Congrats on your new SG.....You can install a new strap button anywhere on your guitar......

 

It's not a high end guitar, so the value won't be hurt.............

 

( I love my Chinese made guitars, well built by good people...)

 

Howdy damian,

The strap button is basically where the original button should be, and if I remove the original, I am afraid that the screw which also bolts the neck will be too long. I can not support the Communist Chinese government as a moral and personal imperative. The quitars seem well built, I'll admit! Take care!

glennc

[Epiphone SG Special - Issue]

I have the the Epi SG Special and had the same issue. I'm not really sure about how I fixed it at the moment, but I'll bet back to you in a bit with pics on the mods I did. Mine is about 4 years older than yours, so I don't have the kill switch, but still have the two controls. I know for a fact that the cavity for the wires is the same size as the dual controls and have been confused by the lack of dual controls for a while now. Once you get the strap issue figuired out, I hope your Special treats you to the same joy and fun that mine has.

 

 

Howdy Oopssorryy,

Thanks alot for the help. It is perplexing that Gibson would allow this oversight. I contacted them and they had no explaination or solution.

If mine holds up, I will really like to see the mods you did on it. It feels great, but could sound better I believe. Thanks again.

glennc

[Epiphone SG Special - Issue]

It's definitely useful to have some tools and a workbench for modifying or improvising hardware for guitars.

 

You might be able to drill/ream/enlarge the hole in another strap button to be able to use the existing long neck screw.

You could possibly use a short length of spacer bushing and a washer to improvise a more secure strap attachment.

 

As for fabricating new parts, that can get expensive very quickly.. a mini-lathe costs $400+USD, but you could make custom stainless steel strap buttons with a small lathe. A drill press and files can also be used to fabricate small round parts.

 

There are a lot of products available for plating metal parts, and some are electro-less (nickel for example), so an actual plating setup isn't required.

http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/index.html

 

You didn't mention what year this SG model was made, but there may be other differences in hardware or construction, as I found out recently when I purchased a 1998 Ebony G-310 SG MIK Korean model recently.

http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/67853-epiphone-sg-g-310-1998-korean-plywood-body-misc/

 

Regards,

Bill

 

Howdy Bill,

You just mentioned all the little ideas I had running through my head. Don't quite know yet. My SG Special is a current made. Thanks for the links to the plating!! Again I appreciate your time. Thanks.

glennc

[Epiphone SG Special - Issue]

Can you post some pics of the strap button, sounds like it could be from a straplock system...which required the a corresponding part to be attached to the strap. Strap button replacement is an easy mod .

That tone control thingy is a "kill switch", used to rapidly switch the guitar on and off while playing, it's quite popular amongst younger metasl fans.

 

like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HujX0LMPOY

 

Howdy bigneil,

Thanks for the example for the kill switch. Cool!! I'll try to get a picture up ASAP. Appreciate your assistance.

glennc

[Epiphone SG Special - Issue]

Hello to all,

I just purchased an Indonesian made Epiphone SG Special in black. For those unfamiliar it is an SG shape but with a mahogany neck bolted to an alder body. I really like the weight and playability. I have found one minor issue that I was hoping someone has solved or had and idea on it resolution. The neck strap button is attached to the guitar with one of the four screws that hold the metal plate and bolt into the neck. Due to it's complete difference to any Gibson/Epiphone strap buttons I've seen, it seems it is made as an expedient to solidly bolt the neck and has been designed less than enough to hold a strap. The groove is very narrow and not particularly deep. I can not use a premium strap with thick layer strap attachment points as it is to thick. I am using a very inexpensive nylon strap that has very thin attachment leather tabs. I ususally put one of those plastic IIRC Dunlop straplocks on, to ensure the strap doesn't pop off. Especially important on this guitar. It will not lock. I with maximum exertion can get it almost half way rotated. Again this is because the groove in the strap button is so thin and narrow. Also the width of the end of the button is not wider than the barrel of the button.

I am afraid to change buttons without experienced advice, comparing the screw hole it is much larger than normal buttons as it has the neck attachment screw (heavier duty) through it.

Does anyone have a fix or any opinions on how to get around this, without having a custom machined and nickeled strap button made specifically for this instrument.

Appreciate any good ideas!

Secondly this guitar uses a push down tone button to kill the signal while playing. I don't see a use for it and am hoping it doesn't affect the sound when it isn't pushed. Any knowledgeable answers also appreciated on this. As the cut-out for the single volume/toggle and tone control is the same size as the Twin control, does it seem feasible to add in time the extra tone and volume pots? The next higher model with dual controls is Communist Chinese made and I will not if possible purchase anything made there. If the guitar holds up, I wish to upgrade it to good Gibson Humbuckers, tuning heads and circuitry.

Thanks

glennc