How to Install an Acoustic Guitar Strap

Even if you're a novice guitar player, there will come a time when you've mastered a few chords and your confidence swells accordingly. It's then that you decide that rather than sitting with the guitar on your lap, you want to play standing up. Unfortunately, many acoustic guitars aren't equipped with the necessary hardware to attach a strap. Here's a couple of simple ways to remedy the situation.

Things You'll Need

• Acoustic guitar Screw-in strap buttons (2) Drill and drill-bit Guitar strap Shoelace

Instructions

1. Choose your guitar strap, paying particular attention to the width of the strap and also to the fabric of its underside. If you have a heavier guitar, your shoulder will appreciate a thicker strap that better distributes the weight. Since many acoustic guitars tend to be head heavy, try to go for a strap with a rough or textured underside. An overly smooth strap will slide down on the shoulder and the headstock will tend to point down towards the floor, which can make for very uncomfortable playing.

2. Search for the strap buttons. If your guitar doesn't have a strap button on the butt of the guitar, buy two of these buttons from your local music store. Drill a pilot hole in the center of the butt of the guitar, making sure that the hole is slightly smaller than the size of the strap button screw. Screw in the button and turn until it fits snugly.

3. Take the guitar strap and slide it onto the button via the small slot on the end of the strap. Attach another button in order to attach the other end of the strap to the guitar. Drill another hole just as in Step 2, but this time make it on the thickest part of the neck heel, on the back side of the guitar. Screw in the strap button and tighten.

4. Adjust the strap buckle to make the strap a comfortable length and attach the other end of the strap to the new button you just attached. The strap length may take a couple of adjustments until you get it right, but you'll find the ideal length for comfortable playing after you've been playing awhile.

5. The final step is a way to give you flexibility in the way you use your guitar strap. Unfasten the strap from the neck heel and adjust the buckle on the strap, extending it to its full length. Thread a doubled shoelace through the slot in the strap and tie firmly. Run one of the loose ends under the strings at the headstock (just behind the nut) and tie it to the other loose end around the back of the guitar neck. This way of attaching the strap may look a little more makeshift but many players find that it makes the guitar hang in a more balanced manner and the strap is less prone to sliding down the shoulder. You now have the flexibility to try both ways until you find the best way for your guitar and for your playing style.

Tips & Warnings

• If you decide to use the neck heel method of attaching a strap, it's a good idea to use a locking system. These are simple devices and fairly inexpensive to buy (see Resources) and can save you from a nasty accident should your strap slip off the strap button. Although strap width ranges from skinny to wide, if your guitar is a heavier model, make sure that you use a wider one. Using a skinny strap with a heavy guitar is asking for back and shoulder problems.

• Many manufacturers use neck bolts in their guitars, so you really need to know where they are before you start drilling. Usually, there's a label or metal plate covering the bolts. If you're unsure, take the guitar to a musical instrument repair shop to avoid causing costly damage to your guitar.

Resources

• Strap button locks
• Guitar strap discussion