Hawkeyenfo Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Hi all, Owned my Hummingbird for 5 years now and LOVE it!! Been lurking on these Gibson forums though....great stuff here! What does eveyone think about guitar straps on acoustics that do not have a strap buttom at the base of the neck. Tie it near the top nut or install a button?? I've always been told that tieing it may hurt the neck....any truth out there on that??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMELEYE Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Been tying my straps at the neck right behind the nut for 45 years with no problems at all. Don't like drilling holes in the necks of nice guitars. But hey, that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 My father never put a button on the heel of the neck, EVER! He'd roll over in his grave if he saw that I put a button on his Martin. That was just his quirk I guess, he just didn't want to chance splitting the wood. He always used those skinnyass white leather straps and fed them under the strings behind the nut (no rawhide string). I can't imagine it doing any harm. Some might say you're putting sideways pressure on the neck. Yep. The guitar weighs what, a couple pounds? Versus the 50+ of tension the strings put on the neck every day? I say go with what's comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Pup Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 I put a button on the heel of all my acoustics. For me, the guitar sits more comfortably that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 I like the strap button. I have tied onto the headstock before, but the strap seems to get in the way for me there and it just doesn't feel as good as with a strap button. But, to each his own. Welcome to the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkeyenfo Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 Thanks for the comments! I am used to the strap being close to the body on my electrics but, I think I may just try tying it to the nut of the Hummingbird for awhile.. After all, I can always put a button on but, once it's there, it'll be there forever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueBrit Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Some gurus seem to think a strap attached up the neck causes problems, some don't. I always put a button on the heel - a bone one, not those horrid metal ones. If you take a look at the Collings site, somewhere hidden there is a nice drawing of the best position. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueBrit Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 PS on some bolted necks (not Gibson acoustics) you need to take care you avoid the bolts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modoc_333 Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 i usually play my acoustic sitting down. i do own a strap for it though. it has the shoestring tie for the headstock. my one worry is that it will tear up the finish. has anyone seen this? am i justified in my worry? should i use something else to tie it? obviously it needs to be strong, but i don't want to tear up the finish in that spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor Player Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Put me down as a strap button guy always on the lower bout side of the heel. I have had to have buttons installed on both my Taylor and Gibson and wouldn't have it any other way. I normally play acoustics sitting in my "Wide ***" chair in my music room, but when I play out, I need a strap and I can't stand the strap around the headstock. Tried it...... hated it! But then again, like tone, everyone has a certain taste and to each his/her own... there is no wrong answer as long as you play the dang thing! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcorner Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 I prefer the strap button on the heel myself, but for many years I used a leather thong under the strings just behind the nut to attach a strap when required. I can't say I ever damaged a guitar with either choice, but I do find it easier to play a guitar with a strap button than with a thong at the nut because the instrument feels like it stays in place better with the button on the heel. I own two guitars I won't add a strap button to because they are collectors, but everything I play regularly has the button on the lower part of the heel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 If the guitar came with a strap button I use it - if not, I tie it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoss Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Zombywoof-- (If that is indeed your real name), I'm with you. By the way, any pictures of your '30's Kraft? Very cool guitars-- how do you like yours? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 I'm with Hoss and the Zombywoof. I keep'em as they come. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMELEYE Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 If I buy a guitar with a strap button in the heel I always take it out but I don't fill the hole. I then stash it in the case pocket and it's there if the next picker wants to reinstall it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesLawrence Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 ksdaddy>>I can't imagine it doing any harm. Some might say you're putting sideways pressure on the neck. Yep. The guitar weighs what, a couple pounds? Versus the 50+ of tension the strings put on the neck every day? If I read the tension charts correctly, it is more like 25 lbs PER STRING. A healthy guitar could care less about being strung at the neck with a strap. Cheers, Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWilson Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 This fella' does it this way: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 I've always had a heel strap until I got my new SJ and now I have gotten used to a nut strap. With a nut strap you can move the guitar into different positions for different tunes. When playing a tune in third position you can adjust very easy to make it more comfortable to play there. I love it, and my new 200. Just my thoughts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolongermike@gibson Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 I'm a strap button guy, too. First thing I did when I got my dream J200 was have one put on it. I couldn't watch while they did it though, but then, I can't watch myself get a shot, either! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 I'm a strap button guy' date=' too. First thing I did when I got my dream J200 was have one put on it. I couldn't watch while they did it though, but then, I can't watch myself get a shot, either! :)[/quote'] What's really bad is when you let someone else do it without watching and they all of a sudden say, "woops". Happened to me once. Luckily, he was only joking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertjohn Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 What's really bad is when you let someone else do it without watching and they all of a sudden say' date=' "woops". Happened to me once. Luckily, he was only joking.[/quote'] Reminds me of my vasectomy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefleppard Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 Reminds me of my vasectomy! now that's funny! +1, aj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajsc Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 This fellow uses one of these. In fact he maybe the only fellow in the world who does!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefleppard Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 or you can just screw it onto a stand like this.... alex lifeson, also pictured with his sig model 335 that apparently has a huge volute. you know what they say about guys with big volutes....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWilson Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 AJSC- I think Willy was using that same strap when I saw him in 1977. I've seen others use that style but I believe they were all playing Classical guitars as Willy does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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