Official Luthiers Forum!

This is the first time a customer has requested a strap button and it's making me squirm a bit. I figure either on the side of the heel, or on the side of the guitar, with the screw going into the neck block. What's your preference?

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I put mine on the treble side of the neck heel because I like the way the guitar hangs from the strap but some people prefer the look when they are centered on the neck heel. I think its mostly personal preference.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Right there:

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

Like Laurents picture. If you use a bolt on neck make sure you miss the bolts.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

I like mine on the center of the heel (not if the center line is "sharp" though).

I'd ask your client if (s)he has a preference. Don't assume anything.

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I do the treble side of the neck heel also. But i also have put one on the heel cap area too.

Problem with putting it in the end cap, is its easy to split the end grain when tightening the screw.

I say treble side of heel too.

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"Everyone wants to BE something, but nobody wants to BECOME something" - William Cumpiano

I have a Martin guitar that has a strap button that was put on the base side of body near the heel. The problem is that the part of the leather strap that extends beyond the hole that the button goes through doesn't clear the space between the button and the heel. I have to cram it in there to make it work. I don't recommend this location for a strap button.

I think if you put it anywhere on the neck it gets in the way of your hand and on the heel cap the guitar falls forward. If you add a reinforcement to the side, or use a wide neck block, it can go on the upper bout of the side. It is out of the way and the guitar hangs very nicely. Here is a photo:

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

I'll be going with the side of the heel. He left it up to me, and he doesn't play past the 12th fret, so he'll be OK with it there. The side of the guitar as Burton showed makes sense, with reinforcement, but I don't think I can bring myself to drill a hole in the side.

Thanks for the feedback, gents.

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I like them on the center of the heel between the neck bolts on a bolt on neck for easy axcess and less wear on the finish. I wouldn't want the strap rubbing on the neck heel finish with a button on the treble side. That's why i almost always use the gibson style heel.