Choosing to pursue a career as a guitarist is one of the best choices you’ll ever make. You’ll need to learn some fundamentals before you get too deep into it and end up spending a lot of money on tonnes of gear. As a guitar player, you must know how to attach and wear a strap. This is more vital than any of the other aspects of guitar playing. Despite how simple the issue may appear, there are a few things you should know before embarking on your journey to rock stardom. So, let’s take a closer look.
The Guitar Strap Metal Studs
Guitars with electric pickups
Generally speaking, electric guitars are rather straightforward, at least in terms of the most common models on the market. To begin, look for the buttons or metal studs that are affixed to your instrument. In all cases, they are located on opposite sides of your body. There’s one of them in the end. One of the studs will always be at the guitar’s lowest point if you turn the guitar vertically, with the headstock up and the body down.
Other than that, they’ll both be on opposing sides of the body. If you have a different model of guitar, this may or may not be the case. There are two places to find it on the upper horn of a classic double-cutaway guitar, such any Stratocaster or Strat. If you’re playing a single-cutaway guitar like a Les Paul or Telecaster, the upper horn will be where it should be.
A guitar resembling a Gibson SG, or any of its knockoffs, are also available. The second stud will be placed on the rear of the body, towards the junction of the neck and the body. Other guitar models may also suffer from same problem.
Installing these metal studs is a mandatory step if your guitar does not already have them. The best course of action here is to get the help of a trained expert. To avoid permanently damaging your instrument, you may have to pay a little more for this service.
Guitars, acoustic and electric
In spite of the fact that some acoustic guitars have the same two-button arrangement, most have a distinct configuration. In terms of basic steel-string acoustics, there is usually simply one button on the end of the body, exactly like with electric guitars. If there isn’t another stud on the other side, you’ll need a unique guitar strap for a typical acoustic guitar in order to use this guitar. If you use a guitar with this style of strap, you’ll want to make sure the loop on the other end goes around the headstock, just below and behind where the nut is, so you can attach it to the stud.
How to fasten a guitar strap to the instrument
For the most part, electric guitars have straightforward controls. The buttonholes on the strap’s ends are precisely sized to fit over the studs. In order to put on your strap, you’ll need a little more effort if you just got it. The buckles on both sides of the strap should face outwards, and you should always make sure that the strap is not twisted at any point.
Opposite end of the strap is intended for acoustic guitars so that it goes around the headstock and behind the nut. Also, keep in mind that the strap should be placed under the strings, not on top of them.
Some guitars don’t even have metal studs on the neck. Nylon-string classical guitars are particularly susceptible to this. If you don’t want to ruin your guitar by drilling holes, there’s a perfect solution. Guitar straps with closed loops resemble medal ribbons and are worn over the neck or over one shoulder. A hook is linked to a little rope or braided lace at the bottom. The plastic hook can be attached to the soundhole from the bottom of the guitar by pulling this portion behind the guitar’s body.
How to put a guitar strap on your guitar
Regular guitar straps, such as those seen on electric and steel-string acoustic models, are simple to set up. Put the strap over your shoulder after attaching it to the guitar’s metal studs. If you’re a right-handed player, the guitar should be placed in front of you with the strap over your left shoulder. The other end should be tucked behind your back, allowing you to concentrate on strumming and picking with your right hand. Sling the guitar strap over your right shoulder if you’re left-handed.
Check to see if the instrument is safe before you put it on your back. You’re fine to go if the instrument doesn’t slip off your shoulder and the strap doesn’t come loose.
Adjusting the strap length is the next logical step. Your guitar’s position on your body will be easy to gauge this way. Because of this, each strap has an adjustable buckle on it. The buckle should face outward while attaching the guitar strap, and the strap should not rest directly on your shoulder. You can change the belt’s height by repositioning the buckle.
The height, on the other hand, is a matter of taste. However, if you’re a beginner, we don’t advocate going too low because pressing the strings on the fretboard will be tough. You should experiment with a few different heights to find the most comfortable position for fretting and strumming the strings.
Once you get the hang of it, it will take some time. Now that you’ve learned how to attach and use a guitar strap, the only thing left is to find the ideal one for your needs. When you play guitar, whether at home, in the studio, or on stage, you’ll want to look your best.
