Straps on acoustics with only one button

[suave eddie]

I've got a vintage Westerly D-55 that only has one strap button/endpin. I've never gigged with the guitar and have always played it sitting down, so have never had a need for a strap. I've always been hesitant to add another strap button since the guitar is in immaculate condition.
A situation may be coming up where I may need to play it at one of our gigs and would want to play standing up.
What do you guys who go 'old school' by tieing the strap to the headstock use? Shoe laces? Leather strips? What's best?
Or am I being foolish to not want to screw another pin into the guitar? Would this have no effect on future value?
If I did install another pin, where's the best spot? On the neck heel?

 

[gjmalcyon]

This will get you started ....

 

[suave eddie]

Thanks

 

[adorshki]

Eddie, I think GJ gave you a good link, but for only one gig I would NOT install a button.
A D55 is worth maintaining unmolested, let alone that what works for you may turn off future potential buyers.
I even considered installing one in my D25 but I played it sitting down so much I never got around to it, now glad of it.
Although I'm one of those guys who advocate installing it on the heel in the middle of the arch and offset slightly towards the treble side of the neck for additional strap retention pressure, I would say for a D55 if you MUST strap it, go for a string-at- the-headstock type of strap.
Unless you plan to keep it forever and play a lot of gigs.

 

[suave eddie]

Thanks guys, I think I'm gonna buy one of these.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/18A0031

 

[gjmalcyon]

Yep - that's what I have.

 

[davismanLV]

I think attaching the strap to the headstock balances the guitar better. At least for me it does. I have two guitars WITH both buttons and two with only the end pin. I bought a couple of those leather straps with buttons to use on those guitars. They work just fine!!

 

[Sal]

I know some folks feel that a strap held just past the nut gets in the way but I've come to prefer it too. I love this quick release system from D'Addario.

 

[Neal]

Also allows you to shift the position of the guitar to get closer to the nut, when desired (a la Johnny Cash).

 

[classicrecordings]

I use a "cradle" strap. This is a piece of leather that wraps around the front bout of the guitar.

Similar, but not the same as this one.

http://millerguitarstrap.com/Home_Page.php

 

[killdeer43]

There's always the type that Willie Nelson uses. Go online and you can see how he supports Trigger. :kiwi-fruit:

Joe

 

[fronobulax]

There's always the type that Willie Nelson uses. Go online and you can see how he supports Trigger. :kiwi-fruit:

Joe

I will cynically note that a) things that anchor on the soundhole have the potential to damage the soundhole and rosette, even when carefully and properly used; and b) given the condition of Trigger, I'm not sure "Willie's Way" is anything to recommend to someone who cares about condition.

 

[killdeer43]

I will cynically note that a) things that anchor on the soundhole have the potential to damage the soundhole and rosette, even when carefully and properly used; and b) given the condition of Trigger, I'm not sure "Willie's Way" is anything to recommend to someone who cares about condition.

Just throwing out options that some folks might consider....no harm no foul.
I would NEVER do it "Willie's Way" unless I had my own "Trigger" in the stable.
:encouragement:

Joe

 

[Guildedagain]

I've got umpteen vintage straps, another one of my addictions... and many of them still have that foot long piece of skinny shoe lace material that came with straps back then, for acoustics. In fact, I have a small collection of those laces on their own, they are pretty strong unless old and weatherbeaten.

I like vintage guitar straps, they are beautiful, and there are many many different designs, some attributed to Hendrix, at Woodstock in particular, Clapton ("Stained Glass" Ace strap), Jerry Garcia, Lennon, etc.

I once sold the "Hendrix at Woodstock" strap for $450 ($2.99 at the pawn shop, but I wish I had it now for my White '74 Strat), to a guy in Norway (I think it was), his Dad had left him a 1969 Olympic White Strat, just like Hendrix's at Woodstock, plus a Marshall Plexi of the same vintage, and he wanted the strap to go with the set for display in his house, LUCKY guy!

Straps are fun ;-)

But, back to the OP's question, any strap will work, with a shoelace tied under the strings above the nut.

Here's a few pics of a vintage strap I had on eBay, I think I sold it, can't remember) unusual one with that skinny half, and you can see the lace, the strap and lace are in virtually NOS condition, and the strap was very high quality, something that may be "lacking" in today's products... understatement.

 

[kostask]

I would have an issue with the Miller strap in that I don't think that having a strap go across the lower bout is a good idea for tone. Almost all sound from an acoustic steel string guitar comes from the lower bout, and anything that adds mass/weight there will have an effect on the sound. It is also a very complicated solution to a very simple problem. The other suggestions (the Martin device, or the Planet Waves/D'Addario solutions work just fine, and allow the use of any strap that you would like to use or may already have.

 

[crank]

A sturdy shoelace is all you need. I have been using one with my G37 for years.

 

[adorshki]

Here's a few pics of a vintage strap I had on eBay, I think I sold it, can't remember) unusual one with that skinny half, and you can see the lace, the strap and lace are in virtually NOS condition, and the strap was very high quality, something that may be "lacking" in today's products... understatement.

For Eddie the OP: One caution about those old straps, DO NOT store them in contact with the NCL finished guitars: the vinyl backing common on those old ones and even any newer ones can react with the NCL finish, they use the same solvents to keep the vinyl soft.
Similar caution should be used with leather, especially dyed leather.
It may not soften the lacquer but the color can stain it, and it it's been treated with a conditioner it might actually damage the lacquer as well.
Just one of things that should be noted, just in case you were unaware.
Not a worry in the amount of time it takes to do a show, but something that happens slowly over long term, a few months.

 

[jeffcoop]

Old school! I have dual strap buttons on the guitars that I play out most frequently, but I still use this thirty-year-old strap on my 25-year-old D25.

Okay, maybe not the most attractive option...

 

[mavuser]

Old school!

lookin good JC! i have a question, do u have an issue with the rivets on your jeans making tiny scratches on your guitar? i see you have no belt and your shirt is tucked in. my gf got me a special guitar players leather belt with reverse loops and no buckle, so there is no rash. the guitar sits on it perfectly, and actually it keeps the guitar raised enough so it doesnt hit the rivets. but if i wear jeans without it, the rivets would scratch the back, unless my shirt was covering them (the rivets) and even then its just a shirt between the rivets and the guitar...i guess most people just don't care, and really neither do i. ive certainly never held back because of it, Just an observation though. i wear jeans all the time.

 

[mavuser]

and oh yeah btw, i play standing 99 percent of the time. it is much easier wth the strap button screwed into the neck heel! but i also play with the strap tied behind the nut with a lace that came with my (dunlop) leather guitar strap, on a guitar or 2 that don't have the strap button. But, I want to and likely will have the button screwed into the neck heel in all of them soon. made to be played!