Acoustic Bass -- Where do you put strap button?

**kirkdickinson** · #1 11-27-2012, 09:01 AM

Just picked up my new Michael Kelly Dragonfly Fretless tonight. Almost like early Christmas. I noticed that it didn't come with a strap button. The guy at the music store says that many of the acoustic instruments don't but they can put them on, "Where do I want it?"

I didn't know?? It is my first acoustic bass. He showed me other guitars and basses and had the button in different places on the back. I am worried about the bass wanting to roll forward if the button is in the wrong place.

Where should it go?

Here is the new bass:

DiabolusInMusic · #2 11-27-2012, 09:06 AM

Is there no button on the bottom?

Many acoustic guitars only have a button at the bottom, you have to get an acoustic guitar strap. It has one button hole on one end and the other end is two strap you tie around the headstock.

I would do that before I started drilling holes into an acoustic instrument, assuming the bottom button is there.

Technotitclan · #3 11-27-2012, 09:10 AM

I've played a few acoustic guitars that had a strap pin at the bottom and then you tie the other end of the strap to the headstock. Does yours have one pin on the bottom?

Wallace320 · #4 11-27-2012, 09:13 AM

I got an Eko Florence Acoustic and it sports a bottom button, sorry for wordy joke, while I wrap top end of guitar strap at the headstock (d'ya remember like Elvis and John Lennon did?).

Like that

Cheers,
Wallace

MD · #5 11-27-2012, 09:50 AM

This may get you started...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s....1.qdHx4BB9vjo

**kirkdickinson** · #6 11-27-2012, 09:55 AM

It has the strap knob on the bottom, it doubles as an output jack. The one on the neck side is missing.

I have seen guitar players run the strap out to the headstock, but with a full length bass neck and my big belly, I don't think they make a strap that long.

Kirk

hrodbert696 · #7 11-27-2012, 10:01 AM

I have that same bass but in a 4-string and mine came with strap buttons. Of course, I got it used so maybe a previous owner had put it on. One button is the output jack on the bottom; the other is on the neck heel where it joins the body. I'm actually not thrilled with it because it indents from the curve of the body and it's hard to get the strap to stay there; I wear the strap backwards because the narrow end fits in there better.

Wallace320 · #8 11-27-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirkdickinson

It has the strap knob on the bottom, it doubles as an output jack. The one on the neck side is missing.

I have seen guitar players run the strap out to the headstock, but with a full length bass neck and my big belly, I don't think they make a strap that long.

Kirk

Some regular straps like, say, Ernie Ball ones (every color, yet the black one with golden logo would better fit your smart bass) are long enough to grant you a decent descent (I'm terrible today, ain't I?) of the bass.

Cheers,
Wallace

Wallace320 · #9 11-27-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

I have that same bass but in a 4-string and mine came with strap buttons. Of course, I got it used so maybe a previous owner had put it on. One button is the output jack on the bottom; the other is on the neck heel where it joins the body. I'm actually not thrilled with it because it indents from the curve of the body and it's hard to get the strap to stay there; I wear the strap backwards because the narrow end fits in there better.

Kirk, believe me, tie it at the headstock, and just get used to.

Way better and you won't risk your beautiful new acquisition...

Cheers,
Wallace

Cougmeister · #10 11-27-2012, 10:13 AM

Ill have to take a picture of mine for you when I get back to the house. I have an olympia (same as tacoma thunderchief ) and the neck strap button is located on the heel of the neck on the backside of the body. It sometimes makes the bass want to roll forward, but it has a larger body than most.

**kirkdickinson** · #11 11-27-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

I have that same bass but in a 4-string and mine came with strap buttons.

What strings do you have on yours. I am not convinced that I like the ones that came on mine. They are roundwounds, which I like ok, but they have a bronze or copper color to them and with my skin PH, only 2 hours of playing the strings where my right hand plays look like they are rusted and tarnished.

The strings sound ok, but I don't know if I like the feel of them. Not sure what Michael Kelly puts on here from the factory.

I like my SR2000 strings that I run on my lightwave, but that would require a trip to a luthier for a bridge reset. Not going to do that.

Tapewounds?

TolerancEJ · #12 11-27-2012, 12:21 PM

I'd hate to see you drill a hole in your bass when it's not supposed to be there. I wonder if it may affect your tone. Bring the instrument with you to your local music store. Test some various straps for length.

the wako kid · #13 11-27-2012, 01:07 PM

if youre a plus size brother,take the above suggestion and buy an ernie ball poly strap. the strap is long enough to make kris novoselic look like he nipple rides his basses. it adjusts to 5 feet or something equally ridiculous,so it will most certainly allow you to wrap the strap around the headstock and be comfortable. plus it's just about the best cheap strap on the market. don't start drilling holes in that beautiful ABG.

edit:adjusts to 68 inches,now way you couldn't rock one of these.http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...l-2-poly-strap

**kirkdickinson** · #14 11-27-2012, 01:31 PM

Thanks, I will check it out.

"Plus Size Brother"... I like that.

Kirk

Quote:

Originally Posted by the wako kid

if youre a plus size brother,take the above suggestion and buy an ernie ball poly strap. the strap is long enough to make kris novoselic look like he nipple rides his basses. it adjusts to 5 feet or something equally ridiculous,so it will most certainly allow you to wrap the strap around the headstock and be comfortable. plus it's just about the best cheap strap on the market. don't start drilling holes in that beautiful ABG.

edit:adjusts to 68 inches,now way you couldn't rock one of these.http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...l-2-poly-strap

the wako kid · #15 11-27-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirkdickinson

Thanks, I will check it out.

"Plus Size Brother"... I like that.

Kirk

you're welcome

plus size brother sounds a lot more politically correct.

wolfmancharlie · #16 11-27-2012, 01:41 PM

A lot of companies have found it is easier and cheaper to not put the second strap pin on the guitar or bass. Different players want it on the guitar or bass in different places. I would let your local music store install one for you.Please don't do it yourself.Its not that hard to do but I like to put strap locks on all my acoustics as to the angle it will come off the AEB.I have mine put on the bottom side of the neck heel and have never had a problem there.It does not effect the tone,IMHO. I am a big guy too and have tried the super long strap,tied around the neck and hated it.If you have a strap pin installed you can also use the rubber washer trick and that will keep things where they belong too.

**kirkdickinson** · #17 11-27-2012, 01:45 PM

Oh, I don't much like those skinny poly straps. They cut into my shoulder. I have two of the Planet Waves padded straps. I guess I need to see if one of them can be extended out longer.

hrodbert696 · #18 11-27-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirkdickinson

What strings do you have on yours. I am not convinced that I like the ones that came on mine. They are roundwounds, which I like ok, but they have a bronze or copper color to them and with my skin PH, only 2 hours of playing the strings where my right hand plays look like they are rusted and tarnished.

The strings sound ok, but I don't know if I like the feel of them. Not sure what Michael Kelly puts on here from the factory.

I like my SR2000 strings that I run on my lightwave, but that would require a trip to a luthier for a bridge reset. Not going to do that.

Tapewounds?

It came from the guy who traded it too me with a set of black tapewounds. Not sure what exactly they are, maybe GHS? I like it's sound with them, pretty well catches an upright kind of tone.