How to securely attach your guitar strap to the guitar strap button

We grew up watching all these classic stage moves, from Jimi Hendrix’s Windmill to the classic flailing of rock stars on stage. We grew up wondering if we can do these, too.

Why not? Anyone can do a great trick as long as you have the confidence and the right song for it. Another thing you need is a guitar strap.

This allows you to do whatever while keeping your guitar secure and close to your body. Without it, you risk dropping it – and what’s a guitarist on-stage without a guitar?

You have to make sure the strap is securing your guitar the right way, though. Keep on reading to know how to attach it using the guitar strap button.

1. Find a Good Strap

The quality of the strap is central to this. It will hang on your body so it must be comfortable, but it also must be strong enough to secure the guitar.

Some materials are resistant to sweat so it doesn’t smell. Some have an airy material or a cushion so it feels comfortable. Others are more about durability, allowing you to have no fear when playing the guitar even violently.

Find the one with the right mix of these characteristics that also suit your budget. They come in different designs, as well, so you can find one that fits your taste, too. Check out our ultimate guide for choosing guitar straps.

2. Find the Guitar Strap Button

In general, your guitar must have at least one button located at the end of the guitar’s body. Some have two buttons; you can find the other one at the other end of the guitar’s body. In some guitars, it’s right above the neck, but in others, it’s on the neck heel.

If it has two studs, then installing is easy. If it only has one, you’ll have to do another step or get an accessory.

Classic acoustic guitars have none. For this one, you’ll have to buy a special strap design or do the step below.

Drill a Hole

Having two studs is easier than adjusting to one stud, so many guitarists will advise you to drill a hole on where the second one’s supposed to be to install a guitar strap button. If you have a classic acoustic guitar, this is also an option.

You have to use extra caution. Drilling a hole has the risk of damaging the guitar’s structure. This can mess up the sound output permanently, so it’s more recommended for people with enough knowledge about drilling and their guitars.

First, you have to cover the area with masking or gaffer tape to protect it. Then, mark the exact spot using a pencil.

If you’re going to install an endpin – the one on the bottom of the body – make sure it’s centered for the best security. The rest is pretty straightforward: you drill the pilot hole, and then you screw the strap pin.

You can buy strap pin kits from music shops. Make sure it comes with a washer to protect the finish of your guitar.

3. Slip the Buttonholes Over the Buttons

When the buttons are all in the right places, get your strap. It should have a slit or a small hole. All you have to do is to place the hole on top of the button and push it in.

It should offer a little bit of resistance. If it’s easy to slip into the strap pin, it may not be secure and you risk it slipping out while you’re using it.

If your guitar has two buttons, do the same thing to the other end of the strap. Again, it should go in with little effort. If it only has one button, follow the instructions below.

Use a Cord

For guitars with only one button, you can still use the standard guitar straps. You’ll have to use another accessory to make it work, though.

You need a cord or a lace; many companies provide one with every purchase of a guitar strap. You can use whatever you have, though, like a shoelace or a string.

You loop the whatever’s provided through the strap hole and then tie it onto the neck of the guitar, underneath the strings.

Note that while this is an effective way of putting a strap on one-button guitars, it can be problematic in time. It can put pressure on the neck joint and damage the finish.

Use a Specialized Strap

For guitars with no buttons and you don’t want to drill a hole, find a specialized strap. This often has a string with a hook at the end.

You loop the lace around the waist and then hook it to the bottom of the sound hole. Yes, this doesn’t too secure so you still have to always keep one hand supporting the guitar at all times. 

4. Test If It’s Secure

Once you’ve installed the guitar strap, test it out. Slip the strap over your shoulder and pay attention to how the guitar hangs from your body.

If you’re right-handed, you sling the strap over your head to the left shoulder while the guitar sits on your right hip. For the left-handed, do the opposite.

Does the strap feel secure? Are the strap holes tight or do they feel too loose? 

If it feels like the buttons can slip out of the hole any time, you need a whole new strap.

5. Adjust the Strap Length

While you’re testing it for security, you should also see how it feels with you playing the guitar. You have to make sure it’s comfortable enough for you to play it while standing. It shouldn’t limit your movements, and it should allow you to play it in different positions.

Most straps are adjustable, allowing you to adjust the guitar at a height you can strum it comfortably. You can go low like Slash or do the opposite. It’s different for everybody, so do whatever feels right. 

Find a Quality Guitar Strap

As you can see, attaching your strap to the guitar strap button is easy to save for a few considerations. What matters most here is the quality of the strap, which will determine how secure your guitar will be while you’re performing.

If you want to know more about guitar straps or if you have questions, feel free to contact us. Let us help you find the right choice for your needs.