Put a Strap On a Guitar

If you intend to play your guitar in any position other than sitting down, it's a wise idea to have a strap for your guitar. Guitar straps support the guitar as you play, putting its weight on your shoulder so that you can effortlessly jam standing up. See Step 1 below to start learning how to put a strap on both electric and acoustic guitars, as well as how to use handy strap lock accessories.

Steps

Putting a Strap on an Electric Guitar

  1. Find a strap that's right for you. Guitar straps come in a wide variety of styles and sizes - some are audacious, some are plain, some are thick and padded, others are thin "seat belt"-style straps. Check out the selection at your local music store or in classified ads to get a sense of the options available to you. Below are just a few things you'll want to consider when picking out a strap:
    • Material - Many of the most affordable straps are made from the aforementioned seat belt-style material, but for a little more cash, it's possible to buy durable all-leather straps.
    • Size - Not usually a major concern because the vast majority of guitar straps are adjustable, but you'll still want to be sure the strap is at least long enough to allow comfortable playing while standing up.
    • Padding - Some guitar straps incorporate padding into the part of the strap that is slung over your shoulder to make playing more comfortable. This is usually made from foam, but sometimes fur or other materials are used.
    • Aesthetics - Guitar straps come in a huge variety of colors and designs. Pick one that's right for your "sound".
  2. Find the holes on either end of the strap. Guitar straps typically have leather (or fake leather) ends in the shape of rounded triangles. On each end should be a small hole with a slit cut in the side of it. These holes will support the weight of your guitar while you play.
  3. Connect the strap to the knob at the base of your guitar's body. Almost all electric guitars have two small knobs that fit into the holes on the strap. The first of these is at the base of the guitar's body - in other words, if you stand the guitar up vertically, it will be at the "bottom" of the guitar. This knob typically sticks out about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) depending on what type of guitar you have. Slip the hole that is farther from the strap's belt-like tightening/loosening buckle over this knob.
    • To ensure comfort during playing, ensure that you slip the strap hole over the knob so that the fitting buckle faces outwards - otherwise, it may dig into your shoulder.
  4. Slip the other hole on the strap over the second knob. Look at the spot where the neck of the guitar meets the body. Nearly all electric guitars will have a knob near here. Slip the second strap-hole - the one that's closer to the buckle used to adjust the strap - over this knob. Put the other end of the strap on this knob.
  5. Slip the strap over your shoulder. Congratulations - your guitar is now "strapped up". Now, it's time to test out the strap. If you are right-handed, sling the strap over your left shoulder so that the guitar hangs in front of you, allowing you to strum with your right hand and fret with your left. If you are left-handed, do the reverse - sling the strap over your right shoulder.
  6. Test your strap out by playing. Now, ensure your strap fits comfortably and doesn't inhibit your movement by playing a few simple chords or songs. Try playing in a variety of ways - standing up, sitting down, and even kneeling or laying down, for instance.
  7. Adjust the strap's length as needed. When you play with a strap, you want your playing to come as easily and as naturally as it would without one. This means that your strap should allow the guitar to hang at such a height that you can strum and fret as you normally would. Use the strap's adjustable buckle to change the length of the strap as needed for your comfort and ease of playing.

Putting a Strap on an Acoustic Guitar

  1. Grab a short length of string. Unlike electrics, most acoustic guitars only have one knob to hook the strap onto. Because of this, you'll usually need to use a piece of string or twine to tie one end of the strap to the headstock. This string can be made from virtually anything as long as it's thin enough to fit under the strings behind the nut.
    • If you don't have any string handy, try using an old shoelace - they're usually about the right length and thickness and are surprisingly durable.
  2. Attach one end of the strap to the knob at the base of the guitar. The first part of putting a strap on an acoustic guitar is the same as for an electric. Slide the hole on the end of the strap that is farther from the buckle onto the knob at the base of the body of the acoustic.
    • As above, be sure to orient the strap so that the buckle faces outward and doesn't dig into your shoulder while playing.
  3. Slip the string through the hole at the other end of the strap. Because the acoustic guitar has only one knob, the other end must be tied to the headstock. Begin by passing the string through the hole that isn't currently attached to the guitar's knob (the hole at the end of the strap closer to the buckle).
  4. Slip the string under the strings and around the headstock. Take one end of your string and pass it under the strings just behind the nut (the wood or plastic piece at the far end of the fretboard that keeps the strings separated). Bring the end of the string under and around the headstock. The string should ideally rest just behind the nut.
  5. Secure the string with a sturdy knot. Next, tie the ends of your string together. If your string is exceptionally long, you may want to "double it up" to reduce the distance between the strap and the headstock. Use a strong knot (or knots) - you don't want this string to come untied while you're playing.
  6. Test your strap and adjust as necessary. Congratulations - your acoustic guitar is now ready to play! Test your strap out by playing in a variety of positions (as above). Use the buckle to make adjustments to the length of the strap as necessary. Listen to the sound of your notes - the string tied around the headstock shouldn't muffle or otherwise interfere with the normal vibrations of the strings in any way.
    • If the length of the string is too long or short to allow for comfortable playing, you may need to untie it and adjust it to a suitable length.
  7. Install a second knob at your own risk. Rather than tie their strap to the headstock, some guitarists choose to install a second knob on their acoustic guitar. Usually, the knob is installed where the neck meets the body (to mimic the arrangement of knobs on an electric). Only attempt this if you have experience modifying guitars. Doing this incorrectly can permanently damage the guitar by splitting its wood.

Using Strap Locks

  1. Pick up strap locks at your local music store. One commonly-used strap accessory that can potentially save you major headaches (not to mention lots of cash) is the strap lock. Strap locks usually take the form of simple plastic or metal caps that slide over the guitar's knobs after you've put them through the holes in the strap. These handy tools keep the guitar from falling out of its strap while you're playing, potentially preventing permanent damage and/or hundreds of dollars in repairs. Best of all, they're available in a wide variety of styles at most local music stores for quite cheap - often just a few dollars!
  2. Install basic plastic locks by putting them over the knob and twisting. Normal, inexpensive plastic strap locks usually take the form of small discs with holes in the middle and a set of ridges on a rotating upper portion. These can be installed by pushing the guitar knob through the central hole and using the ridges to twist the lock into place. After doing this for each knob, the strap should remain in place no matter how you twist or pull it while playing.
  3. Use a set of metal locks for added security. The "premium" option when it comes to strap locks is a special set of interlocking metal fasteners. This type of strap lock is a little more expensive than basic plastic options and requires you to modify both your guitar and your strap, but offers total protection from slippage. To use this type of strap lock, you'll need to remove the knobs from your guitar and install new ones that are specially designed to interface with the lock. You'll also need to secure the locking mechanism inside holes of your guitar strap. When everything is in place, the locks should "click" into place on the knobs. Once locked, the strap can't be removed except by deliberately pulling the release on each lock.
  4. Improvise a set of strap locks by using rubber washers. Though strap locks are generally fairly cheap, there are free alternatives. For instance, one easy trick is to place a tight-fitting rubber washer over the top of each knob after placing the strap on the guitar. The rubber washer will hold the strap in place while playing, making it more difficult (but not impossible) for the strap to fall off of the guitar.
    • You can find rubber washers at your local hardware store - you'll usually want the 5/16" variety. Alternatively, if you drink beer or soda that comes in an old-fashioned bottle with a locking cap, you can remove the washer from the underside of the cap and use it for this purpose.

Tips

  • This helps out when you stand up, but also when you sit down. If you're sitting, make sure the strap is tightened so that the neck sticks up a little bit.
  • Strap locks can be purchased in several different styles and brands for use with your guitar. These items guard against your strap coming off your guitar unexpectedly and causing damage to your instrument.

Warnings

  • Do not force the strap on the guitar. You could damage the guitar and also break the strap.

Things You'll Need

  • Guitar
  • Guitar strap
  • String (for acoustic guitars)
  • Strap locks (optional)

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