Members Walt Pilcher Posted November 16, 2007 Members Share Posted November 16, 2007 My new Greg Bennett D 1 CE has no strap button on the neck heel so I use a strap that ties around the headstock above the nut (under the strings), which works fine. However, a friend told me that over time playing it that way will put too much torque on the neck, causing the neck to warp or break. Is this true, and should I get a strap button installed on the neck heel?Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members VengefulTikiGod Posted November 16, 2007 Members Share Posted November 16, 2007 Personally I'd rather not find out the hard way, and I'd go for the strap button just for comfort. I imagine the impact would probably be minimal, but if it did do damage, it might be tricky to reverse with the truss rod, seeing as how the tension would only be on one side of the neck, and the neck would be bending to the side, as opposed to straight back (which a truss rod turn could fix more reliably). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members totamus Posted November 16, 2007 Members Share Posted November 16, 2007 My experience is that straps tied to the headstock do not work out well. when the headstock is used as the attachment point, the guitar tends to "hang" in a much different position than when a button is attached to the heel. The heel button centers the body of the guitar on your torso, which is how it is generally positioned when sitting down. But with the attachment at the headstock, the guitasr tends to to "hang" with your torso in the center of the entire guitar (it is shifted considerably to the right). This is not a comfortable position for most players and it places the pick guard further to the left than where you actually play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fatback Posted November 16, 2007 Members Share Posted November 16, 2007 I can't see that having the strap going to the end of the neck is going to cause it to warp. I mean how much tension is applied through the strings? 72 odd pounds? If a guitar neck is going to warp under the forces applied by the strap its going to do the same under its own weight. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members melandy Posted November 16, 2007 Members Share Posted November 16, 2007 I'm of the opinion that tying the strap to the headstock might not be bad for the guitar, but there is no way that it is good for the guitar. I tend to err on the side of caution. Plus I find that having a button at the heel is more comfortable (see Totamus' post above). I installed one on my beater a few months ago. Really easy to do, and I had a couple of spare buttons off my electric after installing straplocks. -A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dhoenisch Posted November 16, 2007 Members Share Posted November 16, 2007 I always tie my strap to the neck, seeing as how none of my guitars ever had a strap button. I have not heard of any case where that would warp the neck. If that was the case, you would think the neck would warp just from sitting in the case or on a stand all the time since there is a bit of extra forward pressure on the neck. I mean, acoustic guitars hardly weigh anything, so there is not much force there to warp the neck. Just my two cents Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JaLester Posted November 16, 2007 Members Share Posted November 16, 2007 I am apparently one of the few who tie my guitar strap to the headstock on all of my guitars. If I don't, the guitar ends up getting away from me and I constantly have to adjust to keep the guitar in playing position. I have done this for the last 10 years or so and I have never had a problem with any of my guitar necks warping. I'm not saying that it isn't possible, but I strum very percussively and I have yet to see, feel, or hear any damage at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarist21 Posted November 16, 2007 Members Share Posted November 16, 2007 I always tie my strap to the neck, seeing as how none of my guitars ever had a strap button. I have not heard of any case where that would warp the neck. Me too. And a TON of people tie their straps to the headstock, so if what your friend said was true, a lot of people would be having issues with their guitar's necks. But, like totamus said, a lot of people are more comfortable with a strap button. So I guess its really up to you. Ellen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EvilTwin Posted November 16, 2007 Members Share Posted November 16, 2007 If a guitar neck can withstand the pounds of tension from heavy strings, I doubt tying the strap to the headstock will do that much damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Greymuzzle Posted November 16, 2007 Members Share Posted November 16, 2007 Richard Thompson both pays more and plays more than I do, and across the globe. He attaches the the strap to his acoustic guitars above the nut/below the strings. I will humbly submit that until I am a better acoustic player than R.T. that that will then do me too. ... but I would so much love to be in a position to put him right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members michaelferris Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 I wouldn't worry about it so much. The reason it may torque the neck would be because most people hang on the guitar a bit. That is not good if it is attached to the headstock. But, to put a button on is not the world. You just have to put in a set screw to start it, then put in the button. They cost around 80 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MattSkibaIsGOD Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 I tie the straps. The only thing I dont like is that sometimes, the strap gets in the way when playing in first position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Simon76 Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 With it tied to the headstock under the strings does it ever pull the low E string out of tune? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MattSkibaIsGOD Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 With it tied to the headstock under the strings does it ever pull the low E string out of tune? nope. but it would depend on what you use to tie the strap to the headstock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Simon76 Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 nope. but it would depend on what you use to tie the strap to the headstock. Can you elaborate on that?Would any slack in the knot also pull on the E string? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DonK Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 Like others, I've never heard of a neck becoming warped due to tying the strap to the headstock. Personally, though I much prefer the ergonomics of a strap button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 Back when I tied my strap (instead of using a strap button on the neck heel), I tied between the E and A/B and high E, so that the strap wasn't in the way of my playing in the 1st position... Nowdays, it's easier for me to use the strap buttoms...when I switch from 6-string to 12-string, I just unhook the guitar, leaving the strap over my shoulder, and hook on the next guitarr I'll be playing...a trick I learned from this guy named Kris Kristofferson. As for it hurting the guitar, no way! Folks have been putting straps there for a few centuries, at least! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mole2 Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 Two of my acoustic guitars don't have pins on the neck heel and one does (from the factory - Alvarez). I use Martin strap buttons rather than tie the straps on. I don't believe that attaching a strap behind the nut is going to do any damage but I'm more concerned with the tie coming apart which is why I use the strap button - it's cheap insurance. You can see it at Sam Ash (or other places). Link is here: Martin Guitar Strap Button Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members d28andm1911a1 Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 It might hurt the neck given a couple of hundred years. I played that way for years but now use a strap button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members simplygoodmusic Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 I prefer strap buttons because I find headstock strapping uncomfortable, and that if you "pull down" on the guitar while playing, which I sometimes do, it causes the neck to bend. But I doubt even that would cause serious damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Raj Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 I think it's just personal preference- I find tying at the headstock much more comfortable when standing. It's not quite the same position as playing while sitting down, but then, I'm not sitting down! The little Planet Waves Quick-Release ties make it much more convenient than having to tie a string or anything like that- they have a little clicky catch, like you'd have on a rucksack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walt Pilcher Posted November 17, 2007 Author Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 To Simon 76 - My bottom E does not go out of tune. I keep the wrap-around tight so it doesn't interfere with the strings. I use the Planet Waves Quick Release System (about $4 - $5). http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Planet-Waves-Quick-ReleaseGuitar-Strap-System?sku=420500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Walt Pilcher Posted November 17, 2007 Author Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 TO ALL WHO RESPONDED: Thank you!!I think I will go ahead and get a strap button. That way I'll have the best of both worlds, flexibility to play whichever way is more comfortable, and less worry about neck torque. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members totamus Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 I wouldn't worry about it so much. The reason it may torque the neck would be because most people hang on the guitar a bit. That is not good if it is attached to the headstock. But, to put a button on is not the world. You just have to put in a set screw to start it, then put in the button. They cost around 80 cents. If you put a button on, ALWAYS drill a starter hole first. You can split the wood by just using a wood screw, set screw, or any other type of screw. If you are uncomfortable drilling a hole in you guitar, then have a luthier do it. The trick is selecting the right size bit. The way I do it is to select a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the shank of the screw. the shank is the solid part from which the threads protrude. this generally winds up being a bit that is in the neighborhood of half the overall diameter of the screws threads. Drill the hole deep enough for the entire screw. Dont over tighten! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Markuster Posted November 17, 2007 Members Share Posted November 17, 2007 I also use that planet waves quick-release. Only because I haven't got up the nerve to put even a small hole in my Larri. For anyone thinking about putting on a strap button, put the screwdriver down and read this first! FRETS-Strap buttons Markus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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