Second Strap Button

[timmyo]

Thinking of having a second strap button fitted to my L25 - are there any structural considerations I woud need to have whoever does it for me bear in mind?
Thanks
Tim

[JB]

The strongest place to put it is through the heel-cap.

Most Important - Drill the correct size pilot hole first to ensure no cracking in the wood !

[timmyo]

JB,
Thanks,
Tim

[JRenn19]

Hey guys. I have a new A320C that I am madly in love with. Its tone is simply amazing. Better than the best. I kind of need a strap button on it with all the stage playing I want to do with it, but I do not want to lose any tone. I know that the heel cap is the strongest point to install a button, but it will deprive the guitar of sustain at all? From the way you noted that the heel cap is the "strongest," it made it sound like installing a button there will give you the "lesser of the evils." Should I or shouldn't I?

[JB]

Installing a strap-button through the heel-cap will not affect the sustain or sound of the guitar.

Glad you like your A320C

[jdwxly]

I also want to add a second strap button, but I would rather not put in on the heel end cap. I'd prefer to put it on the side of the neck heel, on the treble side. Are there any structural considerations for putting it there? I don't want to drill a pilot hole through something important!

[JB]

If it's on a Legacy model then you'll be fine .... just take it slow and careful

[jdwxly]

It's a Silver series guitar - AS200CE. I didn't know if the neck joint is dovetail or bolt-on, and I didn't want to hit a bolt in there someplace.

[JB]

the silver will have a dovetail joint so you'll be ok

[jdwxly]

Thanks for the information, JB. I double checked last night using a strong magnet and didn't find any metal, so I installed the strap button.

[adammichaelallison]

I had a local guitar guy put a second strap button on the heel cap of my L32 and he cracked it what do i do!?!?!

[JB]

Hi Adam ... .... that's normally a sign that the guitar tech didn't drill the correct sized pilot hole for the strap button screw which is the MOST important part of the operation.

If it's just a crack and nothing has broken off then there's nothing really to worry about, infact even if the end of the heel did break off it'll probably still not affect the guitar much, just look bad.

Solution if it's only got fine a stress crack - get some good wood glue in there and compress/clamp it, leave overnight / 24hrs to harden then re-drill with the CORRECT drill bit and try again slowly and carefully.

If clamped correctly with the right pressure, a good wood glue will impregnate the wood fibres and be incredibly strong.

Hope this helps and let us know how you get on.
Jim

[adammichaelallison]

JB thanks so much for the advice.. i have a guy and what he is gonna do it take and drill it out just a bit then put a magony rodd and some awesome wood bonding material in it then score the plastic and place a piece of amazing antler carved to fit to seal it all off. do you know what type of finish is used on the guitar itself? its a L32 model made in ireland. L-00693.?

[guitarist 4 christ]

Sorry to hear of the mishap. It's probably time to find another guitar tech, one who wont damage your fine work of art. I have installed many strap buttons on my own guitars without cracking or damaging them, it's very simple to do if done properly

Good luck with the repair, I hope it all turns out just fine.

BLESSINGS, STEVE

[Clancy Chivers]

Hi there, I managed to fix a second strap button just above the neck joint on the guitar side. On an A201CE, there's just enough meat on the neck joint. As all the other guys said, the right size pilot hole is imperative. I used a panel as a centre punch to stop the drill wandering. Just very lightly tapped mind, underwise that will crack the surface.
Pete