guitar xlr image
peck3000
I have a knob at the bottom of my acoustic guitar, and I've tried attaching the strap to the top of the neck and it is too awkward. I've heard that you can buy the knob and attach it yourself, but I don't know how, or exactly where to attach the knob.
Answer
Best solution: Take it to a luthier or guitar shop. They have the parts, the experience to do it correctly the first time, and they will preserve the resale value of your guitar. They may have suggestions for other methods to make your guitar more comfortable and ergonomically correct as well.
Do it yourself?
You need: an end button with the screw, a Jeweler's screwdriver, (usually Phillips head but if the screw is a flathead you know what to do) a jeweler's drill, or one of those powered screwdrivers and a very very thin (read tiny) drill
optional: some wood putty or Elmer's Glue
1. First determine if the area you want to put the end button will hold the weight of the strap and that there is enough wood to hold the screw in place.
2. Now look inside and really make sure. A dental mirror and a flashlight will usually do the trick
3. Drill a small (did I say small, I meant really really small, you know, Tiny) hole, directly into the place where you want to put the end button. Do not try to do this without drilling the hole. You will be in danger of splitting the wood. Maybe not the same day you install the end button, but eventually! (Cue the background monster movie music)
4. Insert the screw into the end button, then screw the entire assembly into the guitar, slowly and gently.
(This is optional, but I always dip the screw in a little bit of glue or wood putty before I put it into the guitar, then wipe off the excess. I think it makes for a tighter fit and seems to act like a washer to some extent. that part is up to you. If you do it though, wait for the thing to dry before you put a strap on it, usually 24 - 48 hours.)
Wipe off the guitar, no matter how you decide to do it, there will be a few wood shavings at least. Put your toys away and be sure to seal the wood putty or glue if you decided to use it.
Some music stores sell the locking end buttons. Some of them need a special strap and some of them have an adapter you just put on the strap you like, but if it saves you from dropping your guitar on a hardwood stage floow just once, it's worth it.
One other thing you may want to consider before you install an end button. Some transducer pickups contain female input jacks that also serve as end buttons. This way you can get both upgrades done at once. Again, better to go with a luthier unless you are:
A. Really handy, much handier than me!
B. Possessor of all of the proper tools or willing to buy them
(Usually cheaper i the long run to get it done professionally. Remember that last reason and say it once again with me:
"Preserves The Resale Value of the Guitar!!!"
You may need to trade it in on a Martin or Taylor someday and you want to get more than sixty dollars for it.
(If you attach an end button anywhere but where it is recommended, You will want to substitute that screw for a modified nut and bolt. You want both a rubberized and lock type washer on both sides because if you have ever tried to cram your hand inside of a guitar to install one of these puppies, you definitely do not want to try to do it twice. Besides, there is nothing more irritating than washer rattle, especially when you are on a gig and don't have the tools or time to fix it. If you are installing the female quarter inch (stay away form the 1/8" if you can) or XLR jack, you don't need a nut and bolt because the screw assembly tightens onto itself. Remember the rubberized washers though. They can be a lifesaver and if they don't come with the kit, spring for the extra dollar or two to get them.
Another nice place to have an end button is on the heel (also known as the spine in some areas) since it allows you to take off the strap (still recommending a locking strap here) without untying it from the headstock.
Best solution: Take it to a luthier or guitar shop. They have the parts, the experience to do it correctly the first time, and they will preserve the resale value of your guitar. They may have suggestions for other methods to make your guitar more comfortable and ergonomically correct as well.
Do it yourself?
You need: an end button with the screw, a Jeweler's screwdriver, (usually Phillips head but if the screw is a flathead you know what to do) a jeweler's drill, or one of those powered screwdrivers and a very very thin (read tiny) drill
optional: some wood putty or Elmer's Glue
1. First determine if the area you want to put the end button will hold the weight of the strap and that there is enough wood to hold the screw in place.
2. Now look inside and really make sure. A dental mirror and a flashlight will usually do the trick
3. Drill a small (did I say small, I meant really really small, you know, Tiny) hole, directly into the place where you want to put the end button. Do not try to do this without drilling the hole. You will be in danger of splitting the wood. Maybe not the same day you install the end button, but eventually! (Cue the background monster movie music)
4. Insert the screw into the end button, then screw the entire assembly into the guitar, slowly and gently.
(This is optional, but I always dip the screw in a little bit of glue or wood putty before I put it into the guitar, then wipe off the excess. I think it makes for a tighter fit and seems to act like a washer to some extent. that part is up to you. If you do it though, wait for the thing to dry before you put a strap on it, usually 24 - 48 hours.)
Wipe off the guitar, no matter how you decide to do it, there will be a few wood shavings at least. Put your toys away and be sure to seal the wood putty or glue if you decided to use it.
Some music stores sell the locking end buttons. Some of them need a special strap and some of them have an adapter you just put on the strap you like, but if it saves you from dropping your guitar on a hardwood stage floow just once, it's worth it.
One other thing you may want to consider before you install an end button. Some transducer pickups contain female input jacks that also serve as end buttons. This way you can get both upgrades done at once. Again, better to go with a luthier unless you are:
A. Really handy, much handier than me!
B. Possessor of all of the proper tools or willing to buy them
(Usually cheaper i the long run to get it done professionally. Remember that last reason and say it once again with me:
"Preserves The Resale Value of the Guitar!!!"
You may need to trade it in on a Martin or Taylor someday and you want to get more than sixty dollars for it.
(If you attach an end button anywhere but where it is recommended, You will want to substitute that screw for a modified nut and bolt. You want both a rubberized and lock type washer on both sides because if you have ever tried to cram your hand inside of a guitar to install one of these puppies, you definitely do not want to try to do it twice. Besides, there is nothing more irritating than washer rattle, especially when you are on a gig and don't have the tools or time to fix it. If you are installing the female quarter inch (stay away form the 1/8" if you can) or XLR jack, you don't need a nut and bolt because the screw assembly tightens onto itself. Remember the rubberized washers though. They can be a lifesaver and if they don't come with the kit, spring for the extra dollar or two to get them.
Another nice place to have an end button is on the heel (also known as the spine in some areas) since it allows you to take off the strap (still recommending a locking strap here) without untying it from the headstock.
Powered By Y! Answer Blogger Poster
No comments:
Post a Comment