Guitar Strap Buttons

How the guitar stap is attached depends on the guitar. Electric guitars have two strap buttons (also called strap pins) which are flanged steel posts anchored to the guitar with screws. One of these strap buttons is located at the bridge-end of the body. The other strap button, closer to the neck of the guitar. Some electric guitars with odd-shaped bodies have one or both strap buttons on the back of the body.

Steel-string acoustic guitars often have the strap buttons located in the same positions as electric guitars. Some acoustic models only have a single guitar strap button at the bridge end, so the other end of the strap must be tied onto the headstock above the nut & below the machine heads.

Classical guitars have no strap buttons at all, & are designed to be played sitting down. The way in which you sit while playing a classical guitar is very particular, as to enable full access to all the notes with greater stability. It is possible to add strap buttons to a classical guitar. It’s not advisable to do it yourself though – best left to a professional Luthier.

For those that don’t want to upset the delicate balance of their expensive classical guitars by adding holes, there is a special strap called a “guitar harness” or “neck strap” that can be used, which supports the guitar by hooking into the sound hole.

On some guitars, strap buttons are sometimes replaced with strap locks, which connect the guitar to the strap more securely.

It’s a really good idea to check your strap buttons regularly for loose screws. I know that sounds pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised how many guitar players take this for granted. There’s nothing worse than a loose strap button falling off & your guitar crashing to the ground & becoming irreperably damaged. Not to mention the embarrasment & humiliation of ending up on youtube as the guy with the faulty guitar strap button.