How To Install Acoustic Guitar Strap

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Playing guitar is a fun fashion to limited your musical side, but a guitar can start to get heavy afterwards you've been holding it for a long time. Putting a strap on your guitar can requite your artillery a residue, and it can help keep you from dropping the instrument, causing expensive damage. Nearly electric guitars, as well as some acoustics, volition already have strap buttons attached at the bottom and meridian of the body. If you don't have any strap buttons, you can install them yourself, simply exist careful not to crack the neck of your guitar.

1. 1

   Look for a strap that fits y'all comfortably. Your guitar strap should be long plenty to allow you lot to play comfortably while you're standing up. Consider looking for a padded strap then the cloth doesn't dig into your neck or your shoulder while y'all're playing. The padding might exist made from cream, fur, or another soft material.

   • Some straps are cotton, some are made from a material similar to seatbelts, and peak-of-the-line versions are made from durable leather. Pick one that feels right to yous.
   • Guitar straps come in a broad variety of designs, so try to find i that fits your personal manner.

2. 2

   Locate the strap buttons on either side of the guitar'south body. The strap buttons will look like small metallic studs. The commencement of these is at the base of the guitar's body - in other words, if you stand the guitar upward vertically, it volition be at the "bottom" of the guitar. This knob typically sticks out about 1/2 inch (ane.25 cm) depending on what type of guitar you have.^[1]

   • On some guitars, the top push will be on the neck of the guitar, while on other guitars the button will be on the body itself, near where the neck and trunk run across.
   • If your guitar doesn't have any buttons, y'all will demand to install them in order to utilize a strap. If the guitar has one button on the trunk, you can either install a button on the cervix or tie the strap onto the neck with string.

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3. 

   3

   Slip 1 of the buttonholes over the button on the bottom of the guitar. Since you lot could driblet your guitar and fissure information technology if your strap isn't secure, the buttonholes are ordinarily fabricated to fit snugly over the button. This tin make information technology difficult to push button the strap onto the push button, only information technology should go on with a trivial endeavor.^[2]

   • Guitar straps typically have leather (or false leather) ends in the shape of rounded triangles. On each end should be a modest hole with a slit cut in the side of information technology. These holes volition support the weight of your guitar while you play.
   • To ensure comfort during playing, ensure that yous slip the strap hole over the knob and so that the plumbing equipment buckle faces outwards - otherwise, it may dig into your shoulder.

4. 

   4

   Push button the other hole on the strap over the second strap button. Once you've secured the kickoff end of the strap, find the knob near the cervix of the guitar. Slip the 2d buttonhole over this knob. Put the other terminate of the strap on this knob.

5. 

   5

   Test the strap to brand sure it'south secure. Tug firmly on the strap to brand sure it's connected securely, and then slip the strap over your shoulder. Ensure your strap fits comfortably and doesn't inhibit your movement past playing a few simple chords or songs. Try playing in a variety of ways - standing upwards, sitting down, and even kneeling or laying down, for instance.^[iii]

   • If you are correct-handed, sling the strap over your left shoulder and so that the guitar hangs in forepart of y'all, allowing you to strum with your right hand and fret with your left. If you lot are left-handed, exercise the reverse - sling the strap over your right shoulder.
   • Do non use the strap if it easily slips off of the strap buttons. Instead, either get a new strap or install a strap lock.

6. 

   6

   Adapt the strap's length as needed. When you play with a strap, you lot want your playing to come as easily and every bit naturally equally it would without one. This means that your strap should let the guitar to hang at such a height that yous can strum and fret as y'all normally would. Utilise the strap's adjustable buckle to alter the length of the strap as needed for your comfort and ease of playing.

   • Equally above, be certain to orient the strap so that the buckle faces outward and doesn't dig into your shoulder while playing.

   EXPERT TIP

   To adjust your guitar strap, pull one of the strap through the buckle until information technology'south the length you desire.

   

   Aaron Asghari

   Professional Guitar Player

   Aaron Asghari is a Professional Guitarist and the lead guitarist of The Ghost Next Door. He received his degree in Guitar Functioning from the Guitar Establish of Technology plan in Los Angeles. In improver to writing and performing with The Ghost Side by side Door, he is the founder and primary guitar instructor of Asghari Guitar Lessons.

   

   Aaron Asghari
   Professional Guitar Player

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1. 1

   Use circumspection if you lot determine to install your own strap buttons. Installing a new knob tin be a good way to get a secure fit on your strap, but it carries the hazard of cracking the forest if you make a mistake. This can permanently damage the guitar. If you're inexperienced with modifying guitars, it might exist a practiced idea to have an skillful do this for you lot.

   • If you have i strap push button, y'all can necktie the strap to the neck rather than installing some other button. Nevertheless, doing this can cause pressure on the neck articulation and tin can damage the finish, so go on in mind that both methods comport risks when you're deciding which i is right for you.

2. ii

   Purchase strap buttons and washers from a music shop. Some strap button kits volition come with the washers included. However, in some cases, they will be sold separately. The washers are not expensive and they volition proceed the button from wearing away the finish on your guitar, so it's a expert idea to purchase them if they don't come up with the buttons you buy.^[iv]

   • Strap buttons come in unlike colors and designs, so await for a design that volition await good with the finish and style of your guitar.
   • Most of the time, strap buttons are sold in sets of 2. Depending on the way you cull, strap buttons are generally around $5-$15 USD.
   • For added security, purchase locking strap buttons. These volition have a metal piece that fits onto the strap then the strap can't fall off the push while you're playing.

3. 3

   Hold the guitar comfortably. Stand or sit the way you normally play, belongings the guitar however is most comfortable for you. Even when yous're wearing a strap, your easily will support most of the weight of the guitar. By holding the guitar ordinarily, you lot'll be able to determine the location where the strap will sit most comfortably.^[v]

   • Information technology's important that the strap helps y'all back up the guitar comfortably; otherwise, wearing information technology could interfere with your playing.

4. 4

   Have someone assist you pall the strap around your cervix. Since you need to be comfortable, this role will exist easier if you take help. If the strap has a cushion, rest it on your shoulder, then drape the ends of the strap downward so they reach the guitar at a natural bending. Drape the side of the strap that attaches to the neck in front of your left shoulder, and wrap the side that attaches to the guitar's body behind your right shoulder. (Reverse this if you play left-handed.)^{[half dozen]}

   • The push button on the body of the guitar should become in the centre of the lesser panel, directly across the guitar from the caput.
   • Some guitars already have a strap push button on the bottom of the guitar. If this is the case, attach the strap to this button, and then wrap the strap behind your back and over your opposite shoulder, and notice the angle location where the strap should adhere to the neck of the guitar.

5. 5

   Draw a marker on the guitar where you lot want the buttons to go. If you stand up the guitar on its stop, the starting time strap push should be located on the office of the guitar that's closest to the floor. The other should either be on the neck of the guitar or on the trunk close to the neck. To ensure the guitar can back up the strap, make sure your marks are at to the lowest degree 1 ¹⁄_four  in (iii.two cm) in from the border of the guitar.^[7]

   • Try to keep the mark equally small as possible, since you might not exist able to remove it from the guitar if information technology's bigger than the button.
   • You tin can crack the neck heel when installing a button at that place. If yous don't want to have this chance, use cord to tie the strap into place.

6. 6

   Measure the fasteners and select a drill flake that'south slightly smaller. The buttons you utilize volition need to screw into the guitar. If the drill bit you use to brand is exactly the same size, and so the spiral volition strip out the wood and it won't concur the strap securely.^[8]

   • The size of strap buttons may vary by manufacturer, and so it'southward a skillful idea to measure them even if you've done this before.
   • For instance, if the diameter of your button, including the threads, is ^ix⁄₆₄  in (0.36 cm), but the diameter of the shaft without the threads is ^seven⁄₆₄  in (0.28 cm), utilise a ⁷⁄₆₄  in (0.28 cm) drill flake.

7. 7

   Mark the drill chip with a mark at the depth you want to drill. If you drill likewise far into the guitar, you could accidentally put a hole in the other side. On the other hand, if y'all don't drill in far enough, the screw could crack the forest. Hold the drill bit up to the guitar to determine the depth you can drill, and so marker that spot on the scrap.^[ix]

   • A red mark will exist piece of cake to see while you're drilling, but if you sentry carefully, you lot tin use whatever colour you lot have on hand.
   • The depth will vary depending on your guitar and the location of the hole, merely you probably won't need to drill more than ¹⁄_two –1 in (1.three–two.5 cm).

8. 8

   Drill the hole, then countersink information technology with a Philips-head screwdriver. Using a cordless drill, drill the flake into the guitar just to the depth yous marked earlier. This hole is called a pilot hole. Next, skid a Philips-head screwdriver into the hole and rotate it to about the same depth, which will aid create the threads your screw volition need as it goes into the guitar.^[10]

   • Countersinking should aid prevent the wood from splitting or the finish from chipping.

9. 9

   Lay down the washer and install the strap push button. Place a felt washer over the hole, so place the button against the hole. Screw the button into place, but do not force it. If the push button seems like it'due south going in at an angle or it's stuck, end what you lot're doing and unscrew the push. Otherwise, you could fissure or separate the wood.^[11]

   • Virtually strap buttons will come with a minor felt washer. If yours didn't come with one, you can buy i from a craft store or skip it entirely.
   • The washer will continue the strap button from rubbing against the finish on the guitar, which could dull or damage it.

10. ten

    Repeat the procedure for the other strap button. If you're installing two buttons, find the location of your second mark, and then drill and countersink the pigsty, lay down the washer, and install the 2nd button. If you're simply installing 1 button, then you lot're finished!

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1. 1

   Adhere the metal bit to the strap if y'all're installing a strap lock. A strap lock functions the same way as a button, but it offers additional stability. A strap lock comes with two pieces—one that attaches to the guitar, and i that attaches to the strap. Install the button on the guitar the aforementioned way you would for a bones strap button, then follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing the lock on the strap.^[12]

   • When you lot adhere the strap, the lock will snap into place. To remove it, merely press the quick-release push button, unremarkably on the side of the lock.
   • This is a adept pick if you lot have an expensive guitar or you tend to motility around a lot while you're playing.

2. ii

   Install basic plastic locks by putting them over the knob and twisting. Strap locks will keep your strap from slipping off of the buttons while you're playing. Normal, inexpensive plastic strap locks normally have the class of small discs with holes in the middle and a set up of ridges on a rotating upper portion. Install them by pushing the guitar knob through the central hole and using the ridges to twist the lock into place.

   • After doing this for each knob, the strap should remain in place no thing how yous twist or pull it while playing.
   • You lot exercise not demand to install special buttons for these locks. They can be used over your existing strap buttons.

3. 3

   Use ⁵⁄₁₆  in (0.79 cm) rubber washers if you don't have regular locks. Though strap locks are generally fairly cheap, there are complimentary alternatives. For example, one easy trick is to place a tight-fitting rubber washer over the acme of each knob afterwards placing the strap on the guitar. The rubber washer will concord the strap in identify while playing, making information technology more difficult (but not incommunicable) for the strap to autumn off of the guitar.

   • You can find safe washers at your local hardware store.

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Add together New Question

• Question

  The knob on the lesser of my guitar is where I plug it into the amp. My strap won't fit, as it's besides brusk! Whatsoever suggestions?

  

  I think that's just the amp plug and not the strap holder. There'due south not usually i knob for both of these functions. It sounds like your guitar doesn't accept a knob to concur the strap. Have it to a guitar/music store and run across if they can install one for you.

• Question

  How long volition it concluding if I tie my guitar strap to my audio-visual using yarn?

  

  It volition probably concluding nearly a few weeks to 2 months, depending on how tight y'all tie information technology and the type of yarn.

• Question

  My guitar doesn't have any knobs at all to put my strap on. How do I necktie it on?

  

  You might take to buy some. They are chosen guitar strap pins and are available at music stores.

• Question

  My friend has an Ibanez ic200 with a horn how does he put buttons and a strap on it?

  

  MidLifeISIS

  Customs Answer

  Along with the divet at the base of the Ibanez ic200c, at that place should be another strap button on the dorsum of the guitar where the trunk meets the cervix.

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Video

• If you don't want to drill a hole, use nylon string or an quondam shoelace to tie your strap near the headstock of the guitar. Slide the string through the hole in your strap, then thread under the guitar strings and tie a secure knot. Still, make sure the string doesn't touch your guitar strings, or it could affect the sound of the instrument.

• Installing a strap button on a vintage or classical guitar can touch its value. It won't affect the value of most modern guitars, simply if you're not sure, accept it into a guitar good before you make whatever alterations.

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Things You'll Need

• Strap

• Marker
• Strap Buttons
• Washer
• Drill Bit
• Cordless Drill
• Philips-head Screwdriver

About This Article

Article Summary Ten

To put a strap on an electric guitar, find the holes on either end of the strap. Connect the strap to the knob at the base of the guitar's torso, or the bottom of the guitar if it's standing straight up. Sideslip the hole on the other side of the strap over the second knob, where the cervix of the guitar meets the body. To attach a strap to an acoustic guitar, utilize a slice of string or an old shoelace to tie 1 end of the strap to the headstock, and adhere the other end of the strap to the knob at the base of operations of the guitar. Finally, adjust the length every bit needed! For tips on installing strap buttons, scroll downward!

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Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Put-a-Strap-On-a-Guitar

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