Another reason to add a strap button to an acoustic is that tying a strap around the headstock (the old-school approach) can damage the finish, and in some cases, add unnecessary pressure to the neck joint. If you’re not sure how to do this, I would highly recommend getting a professional to do it, or you could split the wood. Often the material of the strap ends will feel different on each side so you get a feel for what’s the right way up. After placing your strap on this end, you can secure it with a strap lock or locking strap. This isn’t ideal. I think it looks cooler. If you don’t know how to do this yet, check out this video: The problem here is that many players (including myself) find it uncomfortable to play this way. Make sure you tie with a secure knot so that it does not slip or come undone whilst you are playing. Next, slip the second hole on the guitar strap over the second knob. There is a slit above the whole. A lot of acoustic guitars only have one strap pin (on the bottom of the body). The cable you choose should be very durable, as its durability will determine if the strap works or not. Some will also have a strap pin installed on the heel of the guitar, like electric guitars do. Attach a leather strip or shoestring to your guitar strap end piece of it doesn't have one. Acoustic guitars commonly have only one strap button — at the heel of the lower bout. Guitar straps greatly vary in price, and the price determines the quality of the straps to a great extent. The most expensive belt in stores is the leather strap, and it’s also the most quality strap. Then, place the other strap end at the pin provided at the base of the guitar. We get a lot of questions about whether our guitar straps will work with acoustic guitars, and the answer is yes, Couch Vegan Guitar Straps, any guitar straps for that matter work with acoustic guitars. Have a strap pin installed (unless you really know what you’re doing, don’t do this yourself as you run the risk of splitting your guitar’s wood), Tie the strap to the headstock as described below, Attach a piece of string, shoe lace, leather strap or whatever else is suitable through the hole in the other end of the strap. To do this, stretch the guitar strap with the bottom end on your right and the top end on your left. If your guitar isn’t strapped correctly, it may fall off in the heat of the moment. Many acoustic guitarists actually prefer this method but others like having two strap pins. Here’s what to do. Cover the area with your tape and mark on that if … Two strap pins are mostly found on electric and bass guitars. So you’ll need to attach the other side of the strap to the headstock using a string. Slip the second hole over the knob and put the second end on the knob. If your acoustic only has one strap pins you have 2 options. I thought the image above was appropriate as it shows Stills (on the left) strapped with 2 pins and Young (on the right) with the second method with one end of the strap around the headstock. There’s a chance that this administers pressure more evenly and could reduce the problem but I’m not sure that it would. The first part of putting a strap on an acoustic guitar is the same as for an electric. Getting to buy the right strap could be a Herculean task when you don’t have the correct info, but we’ll ensure you don’t have any issues with making a choice. However, most acoustics only have one strap pin … Thanks for the write up. Maintain your strap in the best way possible, by keeping them along with your guitar in a case. You will attach one end of the guitar strap there. Strapping an Acoustic Guitar with One Strap Pin Get a strong cord or wire Tie the cord to one end of the strap slit Put the other end of the strap at the base strap pin For acoustic guitars – most will only have one strap on the bottom of the body. Now, I can’t help you if your acoustic guitar doesn’t have strap buttons (you may want to get some installed), but if it has one, don’t fret. There are lots of reasons why you may want to get a strap for your acoustic guitar. Source: wikihow.com. Once you’ve attached your strap now it’s time to adjust the height to a position that is most comfortable for you. It can be located just at the end of the base area of the guitar, close to the fretboard. The strap should be placed so that the adjustable bit is facing up. Do you have any tips? Guitar straps have leather ends (or other material but often leather) that have holes in them. Apart from this, color, durability, among others, is worth looking at when buying a strap. Make sure you have the strap around the correct way. I find shoe laces work pretty well – or you could check out something like the, Thread the string/lace/strap under the strings just above the nut (between the nut and the tuning pegs but up against the nut – i.e. If the strap is upside down, then the piece of the strap that is used to adjust the length will dig into your shoulder. read more. If the strap is upside down, then the piece of the strap that is used to adjust the length will dig into your shoulder. So the real question is how do to attach an acoustic guitar strap to the other end of the guitar. A strap … So at least do a double-knot. The strap post at that location can be found on any guitar that can use a strap—electric guitar, acoustic guitar, electric bass. Hook-on Guitar Strap for Acoustic Guitar. This is pre-determined by the price of the strap. If you have an acoustic guitar with two strap pins then you’ll attach your strap by placing it on the two strap pins. It’s especially noticeable if I tune up sitting down and then stand up to play. Step 1: Attach The Strap To The Bottom Pin Of Your Acoustic Guitar All guitars are equipped with strap pins (also known as pegs or knobs) – this is where you actually connect a strap with your guitar. What you use is up to you but just make sure it’s strong enough to hold the weight of the guitar and thin enough to fit under the strings. A strap button is useful for working musicians, and most guitar manufacturers will offer to install one before the guitar leaves the factory. Acoustic vs Bass Guitar: Which is better for Beginners? Slip the string through the hole in the guitar strap end flap and slide the ends beneath the strings at the base of your headstock. Slide the holes of the strap’s ends on top of the strap buttons, which are located at the top and bottom of the guitar’s body. If you’re ok with, or prefer, the headstock method, then follow the instructions below. Since the strap has holes, simply insert the hole into the pin at the bottom and at the heel. Before learning how to strap your acoustic guitar, you must know that there are two types of acoustic guitar strap pins. The buckle part of the strap must not be aimed at the guitar. Tie the cord end at the neck area of the guitar, ensuring it’s very tight. Especially with a pretty strap. These guitars are usually played sitting down, but sometimes you may want to stand up or walk aro… Guitar straps come in different sizes and are made with different materials. The style of the guitar strap is, without a doubt, essential if you’re to be satisfied with your purchase. Thanks for this. Some straps come with individual locks. Ensure the cord id adequately tied to the belt to avoid any accidents. Pulling the straps hard with the guitar will cause the strap ends to become loose. The strap ends of the guitar are the most likely to cause a mishap, but it’s not the only part of the guitar you should care for. Tie the two ends together to secure it to your guitar. In general, guitars often feature double strap pins or a single strap pin. Slide the hole on the end of the strap that is farther from the buckle onto the knob at the base of the body of the acoustic. The hole in the strap will be perfect for the pin, just be sure to turn it … Use all you now have access to in getting your guitar strapped like a pro. Hook the plastic hook into the sound hole, at its bottom-most edge. Look the strap over your neck or shoulder, with the lace and hook hanging down in front of you. Using the Buttons . You don’t want your investment to go to waste, and there’s the comfort aspect to look at. While playing the guitar is fun, it can start to hurt your arms if you hold it up while standing for too long. When you want a new strap, the price should be something to look at when you’re keeping tabs on your budget. Remember not to twist the strap while fastening it on the guitar. There is a slit above the whole. While some manufactures install a second strap button under the neck heel for strap attachment, others do not. If you want to play your acoustic guitar standing up you’ll need to learn how to attach an acoustic guitar strap to your guitar. For these guitars, putting a guitar strap on the guitar can be accomplished one of two ways. It’s pretty simple either way, but make sure your guitar is nice and secure. This part of the belt will be located at the neck area of the guitar. 21 Guitar Playing Tips Every Beginner Should Know, Tips for Learning How to Play the Guitar and Sing at the Same Time, Acoustic Guitar Stands: Ways to Keep Your Guitar When Not Playing, Takamine Serial Numbers: What They Can Tell You and How to Decode Them. If this is the case, you can easily attach the strap to the guitar. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Any comments or questions welcome in the comments section below. Attaching a guitar strap to an electric guitar, bass guitar or acoustic guitar like this is straightforward – put the pinhole of one end of the strap over one pin, and put the pinhole of the other end of the strap over the other pin. When you have your strap, place one end of the belt on the base of the guitar, securing it in place. Our, Strapping an Acoustic Guitar with One Strap Pin, Tie the cord to one end of the strap slit, Put the other end of the strap at the base strap pin, Tie the cord at the other end just below the neck of the guitar, Strapping an Acoustic Guitar with Two Strap Pins. Most acoustic guitars have one strap button (also called an "end pin") on the back end of the guitar. Leather straps mostly come in a plain design with a guard at each end for proper strapping. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Check your guitar to determine whether it has a single strap pin or double strap pins. Virtually all acoustic guitars have a strap button on the butt of the guitar. The first strap pin will be located at the heel of the guitar or the lower bout. I hope you now know how to attach an acoustic guitar strap – whether you have 1 or 2 strap pins. A second strap button can be installed by a qualified repair … Now, take a shoestring (buy one if you need it) and feed it through the top hole of your strap. Make sure you have the strap around the correct way. If you own a guitar that has two strap pins, it will be quite easy to attach the strap. That’ll help you get the best sounds off your acoustic guitar without any discomfort. Using Strap Locks Attach the metal bit to the strap if you're installing a strap lock. With two buttons, you can easily attach one end (the one with the adjustment system) to the lower bout pin, while the opposite end to the horn or heel pin. If you need a long-lasting strap, then be ready to fork out more cash, or you’d have to settle for straps made with inferior materials. I find tying the strap to the headstock sends the tuning subtly off as I move about, shifting the pressure on the neck. If you want to put a strap on your acoustic guitar, you’ll need to choose a strap, loop it to the two strap pegs, and adjust its height. Look for a logo or a name in your strap, those should usually face forward and are located in the part of the strap that goes in the strap button that is closest to your guitar neck. Then after that, put your guitar all over you like if you are going to play, and start … Apart from that, there’s some other stuff that’ll be handy when using your guitar. Ensure you lock the strap in place to avoid it falling off when in action. When the wire or cord used is durable, you can also take advantage of it by using an extra cable to increase the length of the strap. There’s a lot of debate about this. Your email address will not be published. All single pin acoustic guitars have their strap pin located at the larger end of the guitar. For newer guitar straps, it may take some work to fit the strap onto the button. A lot of acoustic guitars only have 1 strap pin but some have 2. Over time, the strap will start to wear … The first step in strapping an acoustic guitar with a single strap pin is getting a sturdy rope. not the fretboard side of the nut). After you’ve placed one strap end at the base of the guitar, the next step is to put the other strap end at the second pin of your guitar. You may be inclined to pull the straps every now and then when you’re playing your guitar. If there isn't one on the heel of the neck you have a couple of choices. : This strap is useful for a classical/folk or Spanish-style guitar which doesn’t have a knob on the end of the body to attach a "normal" guitar strap. Using straps on your guitar has a lot of benefits, and we’ll be looking at one or two of those in a bit. Many guitar players have trouble attaching an acoustic guitar strap to their instrument, unlike the electric guitar most acoustics only come with one strap button located at the base of the instrument. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, meaning I may get a commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Can we all agree that it looks cooler? Hold your acoustic guitar against your body and lead the lace under and up in front of the guitar, at its narrowest point. The knob on electric guitars is usually located at the point where the body meets the neck of the guitar. But after receiving your choice order, knowing how to strap the guitar the right way is also very essential. 0 0. If you prefer two strap pins for your acoustic guitar, you can get a competent guitar technician to install the second one. This is where we attach the guitar strap. hey guys i noticed my/my dad's acoustic and my bros acoustic only have 1 strap knob, why is this? Most electric guitars and a portion of acoustic guitars come with a pair of strap pins. Whether yours has 1 or 2 it’s a pretty straight forward process – though guitars with 2 is slightly easier. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, Guitar straps come in different sizes and are made with different materials. The strap pin on your acoustic guitar is where your strap hooks onto before you get them around your shoulder. The question arises because many acoustics have only one "button" on the back side of the guitar to attach to a strap, but none on the the front side. back to menu ↑ How To Attach A Strap On Two Strap Pin Guitars. There are two ways to attach a guitar strap: Using the buttons on your guitar; Using one button and using a string. Learning how to put a strap on an acoustic guitar is a fast and easy way to make your guitar more functional and it makes it much easier to play standing up First off, you can buy a hanger that goes on the headstock. Even so, you do not require it to use your guitar strap. Your email address will not be published. One pin or two pins? After this, cut off the excess cord to give the belt an even look. So now that you've bought a nice strap, how are you going to attach it to your guitar? After getting the rope, tie one end of the wire in a loop at one part of the strap. … Copyright © 2015 - 2021 - SixStringAcoustic.com - Privacy Policy, Attaching your Strap when you have Two Strap Pins, Attaching your Strap when you have One Strap Pin. Attach the whole at the other end of the strap to the strap pin on the heel of the guitar. Between eight to 10 inches should be ample. The connection procedure in each case is different as described below. A vast majority of acoustic guitars will have a strap pin installed at the bottom of the body of the guitar. Strap locks essentially lock your straps to the strap pins so that it cannot come loose. Connecting a guitar strap to an acoustic guitar is actually very simple and straight forward if the strap pins in place. Finally, slip the guitar strap over the shoulder. but it has no way of attaching a strap to it; no pin on the bottom or even a hole What would be the best procedure/method for me to be able to put a strap on it? Exposing your leather or nylon straps to wet/extreme conditions may result in a sudden snap. If you continue pulling the straps on your guitar, it may fail any time soon. Related: How to Choose an Acoustic Guitar Strap, By Matthew Harris [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons, By Andk1987 (Flickr: IMG_1755) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons, By Andk1987 (Flickr: IMG_1749) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons, Filed Under: Guitar lessons, Other Lessons and Tips. Despite the fact that this problem is rather easy to solve, most acoustic players never actually get round to attaching a strap to their guitars, instead they … Would you go to the trouble of installing a second pin if your guitar only has one or does the headstock method work for you? Here’s a video showing you how: So, this means you need to do something more. Identify strap buttons and holes in your strap. and hopefully not too expensive Update : This step doesn’t change. After both ends of the belt are in place, adjust the strap to relax at your chosen position. If you have a guitar with a single strap-pin, then attach the bottom of the strap first, pull the lace through the top hole of the strap, and then tie the lace around the headstock above the nut. If you’ve used a guitar strap before – what method do you prefer? In the photo above we can see the button on the bottom of the body of the guitar. Many acoustic guitars come with a single strap pin while others come in double strap pins. Ensure you check the strap pins after every practice or concert to ensure you don’t have to deal with an embarrassing fail. The only other thing would be to try something like the Fretfunk® Acoustic Guitar Strap Button if you are currently just tying with string or something. Luckily, a guitar strap can … Tie the string/lace/strap around the headstock. Place the strap over the shoulders and get to your feet. Playing standing up without a strap is much more difficult and you can’t focus on your playing as much – and the chances of you dropping and damaging your precious guitar are much higher. When your strap isn’t adjustable, this is the most ideal option. Acoustic guitars with two strap pins could have their strap pins at the base of the guitar, and two other places. Make sure that the strap is facing front, otherwise, the buckle will dig into your shoulder. One more thing you might want to think about is getting strap locks. Our expert recommendation for good acoustic guitar will point you to the right purchase all the time. Sometimes they also have one on the neck heel. Last updated: January 28, 2021 by Nate 3 Comments. If you don't want to alter the guitar but want to use an existing strap, you have a couple of choices. Attach the strap as you normally would at the … This should be next to or near the sound hole. It can also be situated in the neck area of the guitar. ATTACHING YOUR GUITAR STRAP. Once you’ve decided where to put your strap button (like acoustic strap buttons), it’s a good idea to mark the location off in one of two ways: Mark right on the instrument with a pencil or other writing utensil. I prefer a strap to the neck instead of using my heel pin. Required fields are marked *. Two Strap Pins: A guitar strap … Place the strap pin (the one at the bottom of the body of the guitar) through the whole of one of the ends of the strap. One end of the strap goes on the bottom center of the guitar. The hangers normally … There are also some other straps where you’ll need to buy a locking strap to keep them in place. i reckon two would make more sense :p No matter the purpose, you’ve made the right choice. That depends on if you're going to use a strap that you already have or if you'll be buying a new strap. The only thing I would suggest is having a strap pin installed on the heel, so that you could attach the other end of your strap to that instead of around the headstock. This decreases the likelihood of your guitar coming off the strap and potentially falling and becoming damaged. Using strap locks is recommended, especially if you have an expensive instrument. For your convenience, we’re going to take a look at how to strap both types of guitar strap pins.