drilling a hole into my guitar.....

[deleted]

Well, it sounds drastic, but it seems like the only solution if I want to play standing up. I've figured out where I want to put the second little button (the first being on the bottom of the body). The piece of wood that supports the neck would be perfect for it, I'd put it around the side of it. That way would give me the support I need.

I'll take out a book on the construction of the guitar (acoustic)again, but I don't think I'll be damaging any vital parts by doing that(drilling the hole).

If you've done this before please let me know.

Riaan-Combrink

Is it an acoustic, Viccy?

If it is, most guys simply tie the strap (via a shoelace or something) to the headstock / tuner side of the nut. I wouldn't drill holes in a guitar unless you're pretty good at stuff like that. Feels pretty comfortable and nothing wrong with wearing it that way.

AlanRatcliffe

Riaan is right - the shoelace is the traditional way to do it. Having said that, mounting on the heel of the neck is common and gives you more adjustment range for your strap. I've fitted hundreds with few incidents. The underside of the heel as you plan is perfect.

A narrow pilot hole (1 - 1.5mm diameter) is preferable as a guide, but not essential as the screws used for strap buttons are self tapping and all that is essential is to start the hole with a bradawl or something similar. If you do drill, don't make the hole too large as the more wood that the screw has to compress and push aside, the more secure the screw will be.

The only problem sometimes encountered cheap screw heads snapping off when tightened (the client sometimes supplies nasty strap buttons they find on the cheap somewhere). This is rare, but does happen and is the reason I always tap a narrow pilot hole and use a little beeswax on the thread of the screw (soap also works).

Ray

I also wanted to do this but was warned that it could cause a crack/split if I wasnt carreful. Then I remembered a picture I saw with a guy who slings two waist belts together over his shoulders (like you would a normal guitar strap) and around the bottom bulge of the body of the guitar. Works fine.

aja

This is what the above posters are talking about:

DaFiz

I had Foster install a Fishman pickup that came with a jackplug insert that replaced the existing knobby at the bottom of the dreadnought. The one that came out of there was installed exactly where you are describing it. On the underside of the neck where it meets the body. It works perfectly and the strap/string won't be in the way or put extra strain on the neck. ?

[deleted]

Thanks for the input. I've tried attaching the strap to the nut end of the neck, but it didn't give me enough mobility in my left hand. I had to focus keeping the guitar at the right angle instead of playing.

I took a book out on fixing guitars and such and it has an illustration of the kind of strap fitting I want to do. I will fill you in on the progress. By the way, does anyone know where I could purchase the little button thing?

AlanRatcliffe

Viccy wrote does anyone know where I could purchase the little button thing?

Any music store should have strap buttons and they should come with the screw too. If you can lay your hands on some felt, you can make a felt washer for it, to prevent it from digging into the wood too much (don't bother trying to get felt washers from a store). Leather also works well as a washer.

[deleted]

That would be any music store except Paul Bothners then. Thanks for the tips.

AlanRatcliffe

Bothner's spares stock seems very bad lately - even Plumstead that used to be very good. Try Gareth at Marshall Cape Town.

Let me know if you don't come right - I should have a half dozen different ones in my spares drawers.

[deleted]

Thanks, that gives me an excuse to go pick up my umbrella that I left there(if it's still there).