Quick Question On Acoustic Strap Buttons

I'll make this quick.

http://www.stewmac.com/tradesecrets/newsletter/ts0055/ts0055a.jpg

Numbers 3 and 5, how do I measure for those two?

what are you trying to do?

Install strap button on my acoustic. It only as one that plugs in, and the other is a flimsy neck strap thing that can't hold a strap for its life.

Install strap button on my acoustic.

well obviously, I was asking for more info about the make and model, but if you wanna be sarcastic, I will give you a blanket answer: use a lot of caution with most of those positions depending on how well made you think the guitar is.... and some will work better than others depending on the heels size and shape, etc.... my experience with that 2nd strap button is that it only works well on guitars with that pointy, boat keel sort of heel shape with the button installed on the treble side so the strap's at a sort of angle that keeps it from falling off (stewmac's position 5), stay away from position 1 and 2, grilling through binding or the abck of your acoustic right around that neck joint is a foolish move.... anyway, playing an acoustic standing up is also foolish because its only cool for Nancy Wilson, and then mostly because I wouldn't get as clear a view of her legs if she was sitting down

come to think of it, I just looked and my acoustic does not have a 2nd strap button either.... I have owned it since 1997 or 98? never noticed until you brought this up! that's how often I need to play standing up.... NEVER

don't drill holes in a functioning acoustic, just play your acoustic sitting down, playing acoustic standing up a crime perpetrated by horrible people like the singer from coldplay or at best joni Mitchell... if you must drill holes in it, stick with drilling holes in the heel where there's a lot of wood and keep the screw as shallow as possible so it doesn't get near any glue joints

what are you trying to do?

Your question was just as vague, but sorry anyways.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/yamaha-fx-335-acoustic-electric-guitar/512943

just play your acoustic sitting down

http://img-comment-fun.9cache.com/media/287e9c03142644331422775855_700wa_0.gif

If that heal is two piece like most acoustics are then position 4 could potentially go through the glue joint and if you're unlucky crack the heal. I've seen this happen before. The best and safest bet is by far position 1

OK, but I said positions 3 and 5. I'll keep that in mind though, thank you.

OK, but I said positions 3 and 5. I'll keep that in mind though, thank you.

don't do 3 unless you know your axe has really well done sides.... that leaves 5 which is kinda my grudging recommendation anyway because the strap stays put best there... be careful not to wreck your guitar.... drilling holes in acoustic guitars often ends in tears

seriously though, do you have some pressing engagement that involves playing acoustic standing up in front of a band?

Yup, the way I've grown as a guitarist is a man or woman who sits down to play a live concert must really not want to be there or doesn't care. The alternative is it's either an all-acoustic set, or the kind of music you play demands you sit down.

Either way, I always stand when I play live, so I kind of need to know those measurements.

My bad, didn't read it properly. 5 is your best bet but be extremely careful, maybe take it to a shop with a good luthier to do it

3 is the safest bet. I would just take it to a luthier though and maybe look over his shoulder while he does it.

Either way, I always stand when I play live, so I kind of need to know those measurements.

are you in a talking heads tribute band that only covers psycho killer? I dunno, lots of jazzers play electric sitting down and no one can say they don't wanna be there because I can speak from experience in saying that you really have to want to be there to play live jazz as there's just no money in it and there is rarely an audience by my standards. I seriously don't think I have ever stood up with an acoustic guitar. It just lends itself to sitting on a stool. Of course, if you are planning to grow your hair out and wear a silk scarf then the fan blowing your hair and your scarf just doesn't work the same when you sit down for an acoustic number, so if that's your plan then I get it!

3 is the safest bet. I would just take it to a luthier though and maybe look over his shoulder while he does it.

the screws always work themselves loose over time though and I would no want a gaping hole in the shoulder of my acoustic... speaking of holes in acoustic guitars, doesn't willy nelson have a creative solution for putting a strap on his nylon stringed martin?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kvQ307mWuF8/TLGcjbLKJLI/AAAAAAAAAbo/yuTQy7LYzHs/s400/willie-nelson-reggae-3001.jpg

No way.

Jim, most bands nowadays are playing standing up, and anyways, I'm really used to it. Though I suppose most older guys aren't. Hell, my guitar teacher has this specialised stool thing he uses to teach acoustic, but even he stands and walks around with his twangy Luna.

To everyone that suggested a luthier, how much would you predict a strap button installation is?

Also, I'd rather just learn now. We all learn from trial and error, and the local luthier is in fact the easy way out (unless you're refretting, fuck that in particular).

Probably cost you 30 bucks at a Guitar Center. I'd offer a Luthier 15 bucks.

Probably cost you 30 bucks at a Guitar Center. I'd offer a Luthier 15 bucks.

You bargain? Please, do tell, I've only heard of the concept several times over and it strikes me as strange that people do that in America where it seems the idea is impossible and that everything's fixed by retail price and such (discluding sales).

By the way: http://equipboard.com/items/yamaha-fx335-acoustic-electric-guitar

No way.

Jim, most bands nowadays are playing standing up, and anyways, I'm really used to it. Though I suppose most older guys aren't. Hell, my guitar teacher has this specialised stool thing he uses to teach acoustic, but even he stands and walks around with his twangy Luna.

well, they've been playing acoustic standing up since before my time, but it always looked very Bob Dylan (in a bad way) to me, there's just something wrong with it (although I am always intrigued when Robert Deleo has them bring out that acoustic on a stand so he can do some standup strumming when needed without taking his bass off)... its okay when Willie Nelson does it because he's the man, otherwise the whole thing just comes off wrong, but to each his own! I don't like it when electric bands mix in acoustic live at all, even if there's some acoustic hiding in the album tracks.... just rock it out guys

To everyone that suggested a luthier, how much would you predict a strap button installation is?

Also, I'd rather just learn now. We all learn from trial and error, and the local luthier is in fact the easy way out (unless you're refretting, fuck that in particular).

it will cost less than a new guitar... its great to learn by doing but not on your only guitar.... if you don't have a spare acoustic then I would have a pro do it because you do not want to fuck up the neck joint! odds are you will pick a good spot and do a fine job, but if you don't? Yu have yourself talked into this project pretty well, so if you must DIY the thing, please consider positions 4 and 5, take a careful look at how the neck is constructed and double check the neck specs on Yamaha's website before drilling any holes... if you expected to replace this guitar in the future then maybe you should just go with that #3 spot on the shoulder, but that spot will work free eventually, I promise. The heel is better as long as you know if there are seems and where they are.