Good strap button location on neck side for arch top.

**Helliger** · 05-05-2023, 12:11 PM

I have an Ibanez GB200 that has the strap button in the case which was never installed. From pictures it looks like most people either put it on the heel cap or the heel itself. Position 2 or 4 from the stewmac site https://www.stewmac.com/video-and-id...strap-button-/

I'm going to install it so wanted to get some opinions. I'll almost always play the guitar sitting down and would like the neck to be positioned upwards a bit. Probably have the strap fairly tight as well.

Position #5 on the stewmac site looks interesting but from photos I don't seem to see it there very much (at least not on the GB200).

Any opinions that the stewmac site hasn't addressed? They don't really dig into the guitar type and I think the body style might influence the best position for the strap button.

**st.bede** · 05-05-2023, 12:55 PM

I have a guitar that I put the button at 2. I do not like it, the guitar leans forward. That has been my experience.

**Tal_175** · 05-05-2023, 12:58 PM

There is a poll on the forum for strap button location on a similar size archtop:
Gibson ES-175 - Strap Button Poll

**sgosnell** · 05-05-2023, 01:02 PM

I like 3, that's the most comfortable for me. I have, and have had, buttons in other locations, and I can live with them, but if I'm doing it from the start, I use 3.

**Pierrot** · 05-05-2023, 01:21 PM

For me, 3, 4 or 5. I wouldn't be prone to buy a guitar with 1 or 2.

As much as everything else in the music and instruments realm, just a matter of taste, no need to say....

**Helliger** · 05-05-2023, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

I like 3, that's the most comfortable for me. I have, and have had, buttons in other locations, and I can live with them, but if I'm doing it from the start, I use 3.

Is it easy to keep the neck angled up a bit with position 3?

**John A.** · 05-05-2023, 03:08 PM

I currently have #2 on an archtop and have had #3 on two other archtops; I've had #5 on a GJ and currently have it on a flattop. I've never experienced the guitar tilting forward with any of the those mounting points; with all three, the guitar feels stable and secure on the strap, including with no hands on the guitar. There are pluses and minuses to all three.

#3 (rim of guitar above neck): Pluses: the strap is in one plane with no twists, which can be more comfortable. Minuses: on some guitars it can contribute to neck dive (I had this issue with a non-archtop); you usually have to glue a block of wood to the inside of the guitar because the rim is to thin to support the screw for the strap button, which is challenging on an F-hole instrument for DIY'ers.
#2 (neck heel (or cap if there is one): Pluses: IME, balances best in terms of neck angle and propensity to neck dive; makes the strap "fit" a little more snugly than #2, which to me feels a little more secure. Minuses: Puts a a half-twist into the strap, which can make some straps feel a little less comfortable than #3; if the heel is not flush with the back wider straps are a little harder to install on the strap button and can have less range of rotation. In theory, there's a risk of splitting the heel because it entails drilling into end grain.
#5: Pluses: same as #2; least risky installation IMO. Minuses: your fretting hand can touch the strap on upper frets, which can be annoying (though it doesn't bother me); I think it looks strange (both the strap button and the way strap wraps around the heel).

My ideal would probably be #3 factory installed. After-market by a luthier, I'd most likely ask for #2. DIY, it's kind of a coin flip between #2 and #5 (I would not trust myself with #3); when I recently installed a button on flattop, just because of the specific dimensions of this guitar I thought it would balance a little better with #5, plus there's more wood there and trusted myself more drilling there.

**Helliger** · 05-05-2023, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by John A.

I currently have #2 on an archtop and have had #3 on two other archtops; I've had #5 on a GJ and currently have it on a flattop. I've never experienced the guitar tilting forward with any of the those mounting points; with all three, the guitar feels stable and secure on the strap, including with no hands on the guitar. There are pluses and minuses to all three.

#2: Pluses: the strap is in one plane with no twists, which can be more comfortable. Minuses: on some guitars it can contribute to neck dive (I had this issue with a non-archtop); you usually have to glue a block of wood to the inside of the guitar because the rim is to thin to support the screw for the strap button, which is challenging on an F-hole instrument for DIY'ers.
#3: Pluses: IME, balances best in terms of neck angle and propensity to neck dive; makes the strap "fit" a little more snugly than #2, which to me feels a little more secure. Minuses: Puts a a half-twist into the strap, which can make some straps feel a little less comfortable than #2; if the heel is not flush with the back wider straps are a little harder to install on the strap button and can have less range of rotation. In theory, there's a risk of splitting the heel because it entails drilling into end grain.
#5: Pluses: same as #3; least risky installation IMO. Minuses: your fretting hand can touch the strap on upper frets, which can be annoying (though it doesn't bother me); I think it looks strange (both the strap button and the way strap wraps around the heel).

My ideal would probably be #2 factory installed. After-market by a luthier, I'd most likely ask for #3. DIY, it's kind of a coin flip between #3 and #5 (I would not trust myself with #2); when I recently installed a button on flattop, just because of the specific dimensions of this guitar I thought it would balance a little better with #5, plus there's more wood there and trusted myself more drilling there.

Thanks, it's one of those things where you only notice some negative things after you do it. I hadn't thought about my hand hitting the strap. I've had several arch tops but didn't use a strap so never thought about it.

From your description I think for #2 you mean #3 and for #3 you mean #2 based on this description (#2 being the heel cap).
Where's the best spot for your strap button? - StewMac

The shape and size of the corner of the heel is pretty small so I'm leaning towards option #4 in the stewmac diagram. Seems like I can do this myself since it's a straight shot. #3 looks nice but I don't believe the heel block goes that wide so probably would need a reinforcement inside the guitar.

**John A.** · 05-05-2023, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Helliger

Thanks, it's one of those things where you only notice some negative things after you do it. I hadn't thought about my hand hitting the strap. I've had several arch tops but didn't use a strap so never thought about it.

From your description I think for #2 you mean #3 and for #3 you mean #2 based on this description (#2 being the heel cap).
Where's the best spot for your strap button? - StewMac

The shape and size of the corner of the heel is pretty small so I'm leaning towards option #4 in the stewmac diagram. Seems like I can do this myself since it's a straight shot. #3 looks nice but I don't believe the heel block goes that wide so probably would need a reinforcement inside the guitar.

Right you are. I'll fix that.

**RJVB** · 05-05-2023, 04:24 PM

Why not try first to tie that end of the strap to the headstock and see if you like it? Best way to keep the neck up in my experience (admittedly limited because I don't like straps) - also while sitting. But it's the time-proven method (since centuries

) and the only one that doesn't make me slouch at once and get almost instantaneous shoulder cramps.

**rlrhett** · 05-05-2023, 09:32 PM

I have used 2 & 5 almost exclusively. 2 works the best for me. I keep the strap tight and the neck angled up at least 45°. The only problem is that some cases don’t like it and it can keep the lid from closing.

5 is also good. It helps keep the neck at a good angle for me. But I don’t love it for purely aesthetic reasons.

I should add that 3 doesn’t work at all for me, but would if you keep your neck relatively horizontal. 4 causes even more problems with my case, and deeply offends my sensibilities. I’ve put too much time into carving and sanding a heel to deface it with a strap button.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**sgosnell** · 05-05-2023, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by Helliger

Is it easy to keep the neck angled up a bit with position 3?

I really don't find that the strap button location makes any difference with that.

**pingu** · 05-06-2023, 12:43 AM

you wanted opinions
i have installed strap buttons into
two ibanez AF arch tops in position 3
(just done my new AF2000)
yes i did install a small block of wood inside each one ….

I’m very happy with them like that

**Cunamara** · 05-06-2023, 12:51 AM

#2 on almost all of my guitars, whether hollow- or solidbody. I have one guitar with the placement at #4, but I would have preferred it at #2; the heel cap just isn't quite large enough.

I do not find that the guitar tilts away from me, because my picking arm is coming over the top of the guitar and brings the top edge of the guitar back into my torso. Maybe other people don't rest their arm on the bass side lower bout, I don't know. I like the guitar to hang at about a 45° or 50° angle; I don't care for a horizontal neck position.

Position #5 has never made a lick of sense to me, your hand is gonna run right into the strap button!

**John A.** · 05-06-2023, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by Cunamara

Position #5 has never made a lick of sense to me, your hand is gonna run right into the strap button!

It seems like it would, but it doesn’t.

**jim232777** · 05-06-2023, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by Cunamara

I do not find that the guitar tilts away from me, because my picking arm is coming over the top of the guitar and brings the top edge of the guitar back into my torso. Maybe other people don't rest their arm on the bass side lower bout, I don't know.

I currently have, and have had others, in the #2 position. I agree that the right arm keeps things in control while playing, but in a relaxed position between songs the guitars definitely pitch forward. It even makes me worry the pin will pull through the strap hole, so I use the flat rubber "washer" method to prevent that. I do find it pretty annoying but have been hesitant to move it.

**TAA** · 05-08-2023, 07:22 PM

Agree with #10 above. Wrap strap end around the headstock between the lower two tuning shafts. Works well for standing and sitting.

Tom

**Helliger** · 05-09-2023, 02:53 PM

Thanks for all the replies and insights. Kind of one of those things that doesn't seem to require much thought but it kind of does. Lot of considerations.

I ended up going with #4. Was thinking of #2 but the heel cap is just big enough for the button so I was worried it might split the wood since there's not a ton of room.

Wasn't difficult although I used too small a bit for the initial hole and when I started hand screwing the screw in it chipped a tiny bit of the finish. It's covered by the felt and button so you can't see it but live and learn I guess.

With #4 some people said the strap could get a bit in the way when playing up the neck. I don't find that to be the case at all. I have to try and make my hand hit the strap. Not sure if it's just the way this neck is designed or my particular technique but hitting the strap isn't an issue for me.

**jim777** · 05-09-2023, 03:15 PM

When I was asked recently where I wanted the button on a new guitar, I had to go look at the archtop guitars I already have because I couldn't remember off hand

So #4 turned out to be the place, which is fine with me. I think #2 would also be fine, as that's what I have on 335 type guitars.