Gibson ES-175 strap buttons

**Djangology** · 12-19-2025, 05:33 AM

My newly acquired 2004 ES-175 has been fitted with Schaller S-Lock strap buttons by the previous owner. I am a bit undecided about the Schaller system, I might want to reinstall Gibson strap buttons. Is it possible to obtain original Gibson strap buttons for my guitar, with the correct screw dimensions?

BTW: What are the dimensions of the original Gibson screws for the two strap buttons? Is the neck strap button screw shorter than the tailpiece screw?

**vinnyv1k** · 12-19-2025, 10:35 AM

Gibson strap buttons are made by Grover.

**sgosnell** · 12-19-2025, 12:20 PM

You can probably reuse the existing screws. It's not certain, because there is no standard for the hole diameter of strap buttons. The holes in the guitar can be changed easily enough, either by adding slivers of wood or by drilling and filling with a small dowel and then redrilling, depending on the situation.

**Cunamara** · 12-19-2025, 01:11 PM

I have used the Schallers for more than 40 years. One of the first things I do with a new guitar is replace the normal strap buttons with those. I've just had too many cases where the strap pulled off the normal strap button, once the strap has a little wear. Having a guitar suddenly drop towards the floor is a terrible experience, especially if it lands.

To me the minor inconvenience of having to pull the release pin to get the strap on and off is tiny compared to the risk of a smashed instrument.

**Djangology** · 12-19-2025, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

You can probably reuse the existing screws. It's not certain, because there is no standard for the hole diameter of strap buttons. The holes in the guitar can be changed easily enough, either by adding slivers of wood or by drilling and filling with a small dowel and then redrilling, depending on the situation.

Thank you! If I indeed end up wanting to revert to the original Gibson strap buttons, I will keep the things you mention in mind.

**Djangology** · 12-19-2025, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Cunamara

I have used the Schallers for more than 40 years. One of the first things I do with a new guitar is replace the normal strap buttons with those. I've just had too many cases where the strap pulled off the normal strap button, once the strap has a little wear. Having a guitar suddenly drop towards the floor is a terrible experience, especially if it lands.

To me the minor inconvenience of having to pull the release pin to get the strap on and off is tiny compared to the risk of a smashed instrument.

Thank you! My plan is to check out the Schallers, since they are already mounted on my guitar. I have never had strap locks installed on my previous guitars, so I guess it takes some time getting used to them. Obviously I see the advantage of preventing a catastrophic guitar drop

**sgosnell** · 12-19-2025, 03:38 PM

I also like the Schaller strap locks. I have them on most of my guitars. It makes it easy to use one strap for all of them, it's so easy to remove the strap if desired, but it will not come off accidentally. Some care is needed when removing/installing the strap, to prevent the metal from banging into the guitar, but it's not that difficult.