Suggestions for where to mount strap button on a Fujigen FGN Masterfield FA?

[arnoldziffel]

Hello all. and greetings.

I looked around google and didn't find anything specific . I champion the ideal of trial and error, but i don't want to find by out drilling holes in an instrument.







i don't know where the balance should be. the heel is narrow maple stripes and mahogany laminate.

most FGN made arch tops ...George Benson, Fender D'Aquisto ... i've seen have a set of buttons.

I play sitting with the shoulder on my elevated left knee, or standing ... the body of this guitar is too thick for me to play and manhandle.

I know this guitar is not very common outside Japan, but maybe someone has one with strap buttons?

[AllanAllen]

What's the body dimensions and scale length? Using those measurements, I would see what Gibson it's based off and match the buttons on that.

Alternatively you can get analysis paralysis from looking at this.

Where's the best spot for your strap button? - StewMac

[sgosnell]

My personal preference is in the rim, on the bass side, just far enough away from the neck to allow room for the strap end to clear the neck.

[Sam Sherry]

My preferences are 1, 2, 4 in that order, but you know that you don't have to agree with me.

[GuyBoden]

I remembering using tape to temp fix the end of the strap, so I could assess each of the positions, but while playing seated with my hand on the neck for safety.

[AllanAllen]

With spots 1 and 3 you need to make sure there is extra wood behind the rim. Otherwise the 1/8" of plywood won't be enough for the screw to grip.

[Freddels]

Position 4 is my preference.

[arnoldziffel]

What's the body dimensions and scale length? Using those measurements, I would see what Gibson it's based off and match the buttons on that.

Early L-5 . 16" body , 3" edge depth 24-3/4 scale . solid spruce top . floating . i don't know the sides , but the back looks solid flame maple compared to what's inside the f hole.

MFA-FP / FGN Guitars


with the stew mac diagram, 4 or 5 looks good

[AllanAllen]

I would say those measurements get us ES-175, which leads us to the Epiphone Joe Pass, that’s got a #3 from the factory.

You can check for a block inside with a mirror or small camera. Or ask a luthier’s opinion.

[arnoldziffel]

I would say those measurements get us ES-175, which leads us to the Epiphone Joe Pass, that’s got a #3 from the factory.

i'm looking, and i'm thinking Ibanez joe pass jp-20? which looks to be #2 ?

[AllanAllen]

That could work too. The Epiphone came after the JP-20 so Joe may have asked for the button to be moved after not liking where it was on the Ibanez.

[ewall]

With #1 or #2, don't you have to look at whether it will still fit in the case?

[sgosnell]

#1 goes into the neck block. The block extends well beyond that spot, so that's a secure position. #3 does require internal reinforcement. It's risky to just screw a button there without it. It's not difficult to do, but it does take time and a modicum of knowledge. Twoodfrd has a YT video showing how it's done. #1 and #2 should fit in the case easily enough, with the button pressing down into the fuzzy cushioning. Those seem to be the most common locations, but they allow the guitar to hang further forward than I like.

[John A.]

#1 and #2 should fit in the case easily enough, with the button pressing down into the fuzzy cushioning. Those seem to be the most common locations, but they allow the guitar to hang further forward than I like.

I have never noticed this on my guitars. It might depend on the shape of the guitar and the volume of one's frontally mounted adipose aerodynamic enhancement device.

[bluejaybill]

My personal preference is in the rim, on the bass side, just far enough away from the neck to allow room for the strap end to clear the neck.

Same here, but you have to make sure that the spot is reinforced for that. Usually a small block is added underneath.

[GuyBoden]

Ok, I'll join in this regular occurring game of "Position the Strap button".

1 is ok.

2 could split the heel binding or not.

3 Make sure there is a secure fixing below?

4 is my fav.
(Interestingly, I've seen this position used with a long internal bolt to secure the neck join. A long thin bolt is inserted thru the strap button and a nut inserted at the other end, thru an end pin jack. Bodge?)

5 could potentially hinder your hand.

[AllanAllen]

I’ve got 5 on my Eastman. It doesn’t get in my way at all. Not that I would have chosen it to be there.

[jazzshrink]

...solid spruce top...i don't know the sides, but the back looks solid flame maple compared to what's inside the f hole....

Lovely guitar, but I think it's all laminate. FGN makes no mention of a solid top, just "spruce top". Also, they list the back and sides as "curly maple".

Re: your original question, I suggest you pay attention to the natural balance of your particular guitar. Some strap pin locations can help you achieve a more stable and comfortable fit. Although positions #1 & #2 are most popular, I found these positions can make an archtop more prone to "lean forward", especially if you've got a big belly.

Oh, I almost forgot

[58flame]

#5 is way out of the way, and makes the guitar hang so nicely, keeping the instrument close. #5 is the best.

#2 makes the guitar almost too far away, yet I deal with it.

#4 gets in the way of my large hands, but again I deal with it.

#3 is second only to #5.

[RomanS]

#5 is by far the best when it comes to balance of the guitar, closely followed by #4 - I never felt it impeded my playing there (but admittedly, I rarely ever venture beyond the 14th fret...)
As has already been mentioned, #3 can damage the guitar. #1 and #2 will make your guitar dip face forward when you take both hands off.

[arnoldziffel]

ok you guys, i went with #5 . any where else and it would be wildly unbalanced . plenty of room in the case .
it was painful to drill a hole in my expensive jazz guitar , but if you can't play the freakin' thing...........

unless they're wizards with plywood , my top is solid . inspection of the matched top shows equal grain underneath.
fujigen may have used plywood on other models ...i don't know . this guitar is LOUD, like a martin dreadnought .
it'd better be , because plugging in , to an amp that's less than 10 feet away is extremely unpleasant (maybe should've
bought the non-floating-top( pickup,pickguard, controls) model instead?)
this thing is one giant microphone.

i'm no sawyer , but i believe figured,curly,tiger,flame maple are basically the same thing .

thanks for all the replies

[arnoldziffel]

[Freddels]

^^^That looks like position 4 to me.

[arnoldziffel]

pos 6 . .

[AllanAllen]

Yeah, not that it matters, but 5 would be under the neck, on the treble side. I think it tips the guitar away from me. Reading these comments, it could be my lack of belly.