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Howdy!
Not everything that shows up this blog has to be complicated, and today we are looking at a product I wish I had found a few years ago – Stewart MacDonald strap buttons. But, these are not the plain old conical ones that have been on electric guitars since the beginning of time, but are deluxe pieces that will match the end pin on your beautiful acoustic guitar.
I am as guilty as the next guy for installing strap pins on the neck heels of my acoustics. I hate typing a strap to the nut end of the neck, and I think the guitar balances better with the strap at both ends of the body. I know it may be considered heresy, but both of my Martins have strap buttons on the heel now -- but these Stew-Mac buttons make this modification a lot more tasteful.
The buttons are available in white, fake ivory, ebony and snakewood, and they measure 17/32” across by 7/16” tall. The white and ivory models are made machined from some sort of high-zoot plastic, and the others are real wood, or so I have been told. All of them are machined, so there are no seams, and they have brass bushings inside so they will not crack if over-tightened. Thinking about it, I would much rather crack a strap button instead of my guitar, so maybe this is not a great selling point. They come with your choice of gold or chrome screws (no black, sorry), and they range in price from $4.80 to $5.60, with discounts if you buy ten or more.
Installation is pretty easy, and Stewart MacDonald even has a tech tip on how to install one. If you are not sure what you are doing, your local guitar shop can put one on in a minute or two. Also, these parts do not come with a felt washer, so you will have to order them separately (10 for $3.50).
I think they look sharp, and will keep these in mind the next time a new acoustic guitar comes into the studio.
Mahalo!
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First I've seen of these. Nice looking.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a choice, putting the strap button on the heel of your acoustic is the way to go. It's actually much better for the guitar.