The RIGHT Way to Install a Strap Button on Your Acoustic Guitar

Installing a strap button in your acoustic guitar (it's not as scary as it seems!)

[kevinmoulton]

I performed this major surgery on my Yamaha today. Thank you for the useful tips. The patient is recovering comfortably.

[KevinCGleason]

Thanks for the great information delivered with humor. I would install the button today, but it will take months to grow the beard which I am required to get out of the way 1st.

[jasonc]

I have wanted an extra strap button on my acoustic for literally 25 years. I never had the guts to drill into my guitar. Thanks to the pandemic and this video, I got it done. Great video.

[ukuleleeddie]

Thank you! I purchased an older Fender guitar that only had one strap button. I don’t like tying a string to the strap, so I decided to add a second strap button. I was a bit worried since my Fender has a very glossy finish. Following your directions, I had the button installed in a few minutes. Very easy.

[FromMyEyesToYours]

What amazes me is how many people mount a strap pin on the bass side of the neck, which, as Tony says, "does you no good whatsoever". Like, none. It creates the entirely wrong angle and causes the strap to pop off of the pin almost instantly. Fortunately, for those who are attempting do add a neck pin, this instructional shows the correct position for it. Nice video, Tony.

[utub]

Things to consider before installation: 1. Will the guitar still fit in its case if it has a new strap button installed? Some cases are so snug they cannot accomodate a strap button without be altered. 2. Do you like playing guitar with a strap and is it comfortable to you? Maybe try someone's else guitar with a strap, or hit your local guitar store and try one there -- just to be sure.

[arnolddealiii]

I would make one suggestion. Get some wax or some soap and coat the threads of the screw by scraping the threads across it. This will coat the threads of the screw and will act as a lubricant so that the screw goes in easily. I have seen stripped screw heads because the didn't lubricate the treads. The screw will not back out. I have also seen screw heads twist off as a result of too much friction. It's a major step and I wouldn't put any screw into a piece of wood without some type of lubricant to help the screw along the path.

[nicolasaldunate]

Thanks bro! Recently i found my grandma's old acoustic guitar and i'm trying to fix it, and because of your tutorial i was able to put a strap on it. Keep rocking, man

[thedevilinthecircuit]

The only caution is to first take a peek into the sound hole and see if the neck is installed with threaded steel fasteners.
Many guitars these days use one or two hanger screws with washers and nuts, or bolts with threaded anchor sleeves to secure the neck to the body. If there is steel hardware in the neck joint, you do not want to drill into it. Even if your guitar is made this way, you can still install the strap button by measuring before you drill so you don't drill into steel.

[penguinpie]

couple of protips for you. be careful about the tape on the drillbit as it can get pushed up when you get to depth if you keep pushing too much and second, use a brad point drill bit for minimal breakage at the hole. a third point is to use a drill bit that's around the size of the screw shaft. too large can let the screw get too loose but too small can also cause the wood (at the body strap button location) buckle a little and come up or break off altogether..

[DominguezMusica]

Thank you for explaining it so clearly. In case it’s helpful for people who read this comment, I think I never used a drill before and just following the instructions shared in the video I got it! 😍
Now is going to be much more comfortable to play with the guitar in my gigs! 🤩

[zant]

Just finished installation myself. Was a little squeamish at first, but as I moved forward, got er done. Thank you for the clear and easy instructions. Now I can concentrate on playing my guitar.
Again, thanks👍🏽

[sandsedge]

I always wondered how to do this, as I had left over strap button hardware from a locking kit I put on another guitar. This video made it super simple... done in 5 minutes to my Washburn Acoustic, so now I will play it more!

[mattpolapink]

Great video - just got my second button and your instructions worked like a charm. I prefer this quite a bit over connecting other end of strap with string.

[chriswareham]

"Keep your beard clear of the drill bit". There speaks the voice of experience :-D

More seriously, thanks for the succinct guide to fitting a strap button. Just followed your steps and installed one on a Loar archtop and it went fine despite my apprehension about being anywhere near my guitar with an electric drill!

[SP]

I laughed when you went though the first step... putting the button on the high E side of the neck. Great job on this video. I once had a pickup installed professionally on my very first acoustic guitar when I was a kid. When I picked it up the input jack was drilled on the top side of the body. I tuned in to see the proper location of the top button and you answered my question. Thanks.

[RafaelReiPizarro]

I was amazed for a second on how fast he used the screw driver lmao

[ryancox]

I just added a strap peg to my baby, a Martin 00028-EC. Your guidance made it easy, THANKS. With calm and confidence, I added a peg in 5 min. Love it. Thanks again.

[TrllHuntr]

Thank you so much, this was a life changer. I've never owned a guitar that didn't have a strap button on the heel until my first Martin. I hated how it would always slide around and put so much pressure on my neck. Now it feels locked in and I can cant it slightly like I'm used to! Also, no, this was not at scary as I thought it would be.

[honourrolle]

Thanks, I don't have a drill but a still managed to get my strap buttons properly installed by screwdriver. It was very easy. Especially after learning the proper placement. Thanks again.