The guitar strap is often overlooked, and this is not a problem if you are sitting comfortably. As soon as you decide you want to walk around—be it on stage or in your bedroom—you’ll need a strap for your guitar. Read on for our guide on how to attach and adjust a guitar strap, in 4 Easy Steps.
Step 1: Locate the strap buttons on your guitar
First things first: Figure out how many strap buttons your guitar has, and where they are. Strap buttons are the button-shaped objects that screw into the guitar body. The guitar strap attaches to these buttons. Here is a photo of a strap button on the front of an acoustic guitar:
Strap Button Location on an Acoustic Guitar
Some acoustic guitars have two strap buttons, but many—especially high-end acoustics—only have one. The first one, the Back Strap Button, is located on the back of the guitar, on the base of the body. If the guitar includes a Front Strap Button, it will typically be located around the neck heel, where the neck meets the body, as shown in the above photo. If your acoustic guitar does not have a Front Strap Button, you will need to attach the guitar strap at the headstock of the guitar, behind the nut. More on that, below.
Strap Button Location on an Electric Guitar
Electric guitars often have strap buttons, though some popular hollowbodies, such as the ES-175, do not. The Back Strap Button is on the rear of the guitar, as on an acoustic. Note that some solidbody guitars have two strap buttons on the back of the guitar; you may choose either. The Front Strap Button, if present, is usually located on the front bout (e.g. Les Paul), the tip of the cutaway (e.g., Stratocaster), or the back of the body near the neck heel (e.g., Gibson SG, Gibson ES-335).
Step 2: Attach the Guitar Strap to the Guitar
When you have located both the strap button, or buttons, it’s time to attach the strap to the guitar.
If You Have Two Strap Buttons…
Simply attach the strap by inserting the buttons into the holes at each end of the strap. They may initially be difficult the thread through the hole, but this is a good thing because they are less likely to accidentally detach.
If You Have One Strap Button…
If you have a guitar with only one strap button in the back of the guitar, you will need to attach the front of the strap at the headstock. To attach a guitar strap at the headstock, you have a few options:
- Find a strong shoelace, or similar soft rope. To attach the strap, you first thread the shoelace through the hole in the strap button. Then, you tie the other end around the headstock of the guitar, under the strings and directly behind the nut. Then tie the string in a double knot for a secure hold.
- Buy a purpose-built Strap Adaptor, such as this one, made by Levy’s Leathers. The strap adaptor is a better version of a shoelace, and will hold the guitar more securely.
- Get a Strap Adaptor with a quick-release mechanism, such as D’Addario’s Acoustic Guitar Quick-Release System. This system offers the benefits of a Strap Adaptor, with the added benefit of a convenient quick release function. Quick release straps are useful when if need to change guitars on the fly.
Step 3: Put the Guitar On!
Once you have the straps securely attached to your guitar, it is time to put the guitar on. To do this, you put the guitar strap around your back and over your shoulder. The guitar should then hang, in front of you, in a playing position. Now, decide if you like the height at which the guitar sits. Too low and you’ll need to shorten the strap; too high and you’ll need to loosen the strap. If, however, you estimated your preferred strap length correctly, you should be ready to go. In most cases, you will need to adjust the length, which we explain next.
How to “Wear” A Guitar Strap
There are two factors to help you determine your preferred playing position, i.e., at what height the the guitar hangs at. This of course, will determine the guitar strap length adjustment.
- Can you comfortably reach the lower frets? This will be influenced by the size of your torso, and length of your arms.
- How low do you want to “wear” the guitar? Some players like a guitar that hangs low, around their waist, while others prefer a guitar that sits higher. Provided that you can comfortably reach the lower frets, there is a range of preference here. Many players feel that wearing the guitar higher up offers better access to the upper frets.
Step 4: Adjust the Strap Length
A guitar strap is a pretty straightforward affair: There is a strap with a hole on each end, and some form of adjustment for the length of the strap. Since people come in different sizes and shapes, you will need to determine how long the strap needs to be to fit you, as well as satisfy your preference of the height at which the guitar hangs (see above).
Strap Adjustment Types
There are two main ways that guitar straps adjust for length, and they depend on how your strap is made:
Tri-Glide Adjustment
Many straps use what is called a tri-glide adjustment system, which consists of a buckle that the strap is looped around. One side has the strap “doubled up” by looping around the buckle. To make the strap shorter, you increase the loop length on the side where the strap is doubled. If you need to make the strap longer, you decrease the loop length on the side where the strap is doubled.
Feed-Through Adjustment System
This type of adjustment is often found on leather and suede straps, as made by Levy’s and Taylor Guitars. On a feed through system, the adjustment consists of a tab which fits into a choice of holes on the main strap. Levy’s Leathers has a video on how to properly adjust your length for a strap with a feed through system, as found on many of their leather straps:
Guitar Strap Materials
Guitar Straps are made from a variety of materials. Here are some of the most popular:
1. Leather
Leather is a classic material that is durable and long-lasting. It’s often used for high-end straps and provides comfort, durability, and class. Levy’s is a specialist in leather straps, and makes many designs, such as this one:
2. Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic material that is lightweight, strong and flexible. It’s often used for budget-friendly straps and is available in a range of colors and patterns. D’Addario offers a budget-friendly nylon strap:
3. Canvas
Canvas is a heavy-duty cotton material that is popular for straps due to its durability and comfort. As a natural material, Canvas is classic and comfortable, like this one from Levy’s:
4. Hemp
Similar to Canvas, natural hemp fiber offers advantages in durability and breathability compared to Canvas. It also has anti-microbial properties, which is excellent since I don’t expect you’ll be washing your guitar strap a whole lot!
5. Suede
Suede is a type of leather that has a softer surface than regular leather. Suede provides more grip than leather. The only downside is that suede is less weather resistant than leather. Here is a classy, black sude strap from Perri’s Leathers:
6. Polypropylene
Polypropylene: Polypropylene is a synthetic material that is strong, lightweight and water-resistant. It’s often used for straps that will be exposed to the elements. Ernie Ball offers a great budget strap made of polypropylene:
6. Neoprene
Neoprene is a synthetic rubber material that is durable, flexible and comfortable. It’s often used for straps with a modern design. This one from KLIQ is moisture-wicking and comes in 16 colors:
Standing vs. Sitting
Many players choose to use a guitar strap even when they are sitting down. This is particularly popular with jazz players, who often play larger-bodied guitars, and find that a strap enables them to achieve a more comfortable playing position and neck angle while seated. Either way, a good strap is an important piece of gear to have in your guitar case. Happy Playing—standing or seated!