Strap buttons
Ever wondered why the makers of acoustic guitars only fit one strap button to their instruments? The answer is that because they cannot please everyone, so they have chosen to please no one. There are two schools of thought to the placing of the second button. Some folk favour the flat triangular end of the heel of the neck, while others prefer the underside or floor facing part of the heel. In this latter position the guitar hangs perfectly on its strap but, if you are playing above the twelfth fret, the button and strap end get in the way of the left hand .
The alternative position has its own drawback. If the guitar is to be kept in a hard case then installing the button here will effectively raise the head of the guitar towards the lid and should the head touch the lid then this can create a strain on the head as it is forced backwards when the lid closes. So as they say if you can't please everyone then, please yourself. The fitting of a second button is a five minute job but if you are making 500 guitars a week then that is equivalent to someone's wage so the makers have something to gain by ignoring the problem.
My favoured solution.
While you can also tie the strap end to the guitar head with a shoe lace, the guitar will not hang in line with your body plus this also puts a strain on the neck joint. As I rarely go near the twelfth fret, I favour the underside of the heel but it really is a personal choice.
Strap buttons may be bought in most guitar stores. They will probably fit it for you for a small fee. To fit a button yourself, first hold the guitar between your knees and drill a hole into the heal using a small hand drill. The hole should be the same diameter as the body of the screw not including the thread. Check that it is deep enough by inserting a thinner drill bit and measuring that against the screw. Do not over tighten the screw, if you feel a lot of resistance, redrill using a slightly larger drill bit. Should you make the hole too big simply pop a used match into it and the screw should fit snugly.
No buttons at all!
Classical guitars do not have any strap buttons fitted. This is because the traditional kneck support for a classical guitar is a sling, rather like that used on a saxophone. It goes round your neck, down the back of the guitar then doubles back up the front of the guitar to the soundhole where it hooks onto the edge of the hole. One hand must support the instrument at all times otherwise there is one almighty crash.
Nowadays most players opt to fit a strap button on tail end of the guitar. There is a solid block of wood about 1 inch thick and 2 - 3 inches wide at the tail of every wooden classical or acoustic guitar. Follow the instructions in the section above. The photo below shows the correct position.
Straps
As for straps it is quite simple, use a leather strap. The fabric ones are cheaper but they will slip on your shoulder. If the guitar is head heavy it will swing to the floor if you let go. If it is tail heavy it will come up and smack you on the cheek, neither is good for your image so use a leather one and avoid embarrassment.
After some time the strap end may become too pliable and lose its grip on the button. Simply unscrew the button, make a small hole in the strap and screw the button right through the strap back into its original hole in the guitar.
Should the button screw itself become loose in its hole then remove the button, pop a piece of used match into the hole and reinsert the screw.
Avoid straps with metal attachments and especially studs as these will scratch the paintwork of your beloved instrument and, even if you think a beat up axe looks cool, if you try to trade it in or sell it, the next buyer will not be impressed.
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