Adding a strap button to my new 575

[Sim]

I'm excited because I just received my first ever Heritage guitar via UPS today.  It's a lovely 575--also my first ever proper archtop.

I noticed that the guitar has a rear strap button installed (where the tailpiece meets the back of the guitar), but no front strap button.  I suppose they intend for me to use a strap that ties to the neck?  I'd rather add a strap button so I can use a normal two-point strap.  

Two questions: Is this a bad idea for some magic archtop reason I don't know about?  If not, any thoughts on where I should drill to place the strap button?  For obvious reasons I'm not thrilled by the prospect of drilling into this lovely machine.

Thanks.

Sim

[yoslate]

Dealer's choice.  I did #2 on my Super Eagle.   https://www.stewmac.com/video-and-ideas/online-resources/hardware-installation/wheres-the-best-spot-for-your-strap-button.html

Congratulations on the 575, as well.  I've owned six Heritage guitars (and dozens and dozens of most everything else), all different, each unique!  Still have four, and they're keepers!

[Steiner]

Welcome Sim.  Not only are 575s proper, they're made of solid wood; not plywood.  Don't fret too much about drilling.

When I picked up my 575, Ren asked if I wanted one installed.  Sure!  He dropped the guitar on his bench (right there by the Plek/coatrack), threw the headstock on his shoulder and drilled the pilot hole...  It works well!

[Sim]

Thanks, guys.  I'm so jazzed about my new guitar (pun intended).

I've installed a gazillion strap buttons before but somehow this new territory had me feeling sheepish.  It's good to hear that I can move forward as usual.  I'll probably pin the second button to the heel of the neck.

The solid construction of the 575's top is really nice.  I have a laminate Collings I-35 (their version of ES335), which is a smashing, lovely guitar.  But the tone out of the 575 is very different--maybe due more to the fully hollow build rather than the material.  But in any case, the new 575 sounds great, and very different from the Collings, which is what I was hoping for.  I'm intending for this guitar to be mainly for traditional jazz playing.

[hallpass]

Funny you post this because I'm waiting on a H-575, hopefully getting delivered tomorrow and was wondering where people tend to like it installed on their H-575s!

[Gitfiddler]

Take your pick.

[hallpass]

10 minutes ago, Gitfiddler said:

Take your pick.

I'm leaning toward #1 at the moment myself...

Might it come with a strap button or should I order one? Mine's a customer return from a dealer, so I thought I'd check if it came with one before ordering one.

[Steiner]

2 hours ago, Gitfiddler said:

Take your pick.

#1 & 2 are going into endgrain and won't be as strong as # 4 & 5 over the long haul.  #3 gives me the willies!  I don't know how thick the rim is; it can't be more than 1/4".

[pressure]

Nice graphic Tim. My Heritages with strap buttons use position #4. The SuperLight Millie doesn't have a neck strap button, I thought it would add too much weight.

[skydog52]

44 minutes ago, pressure said:

The SuperLight Millie doesn't have a neck strap button, I thought it would add too much weight.

[hallpass]

9 hours ago, Steiner said:

#1 & 2 are going into endgrain and won't be as strong as # 4 & 5 over the long haul.  #3 gives me the willies!  I don't know how thick the rim is; it can't be more than 1/4".

Hmm, makes sense, now I'm thinking #4 given that info. I had an acoustic that used spot #5 and the angle didn't feel right to me.

[MartyGrass]

15 hours ago, Gitfiddler said:

Take your pick.

The 575 is pretty light, so end grain (1 and 2) should work.  It has for me.  #1 pushes the neck to the left further.  That might be too much for some players, particularly with a 25.5" neck.  #3 worries me if there isn't a block under the rim.  #5 rotates the guitar top to the floor a little.

The ones I've liked best are 2 and 4.  Some come from the factory with #3, which seems okay, too.

[Gitfiddler]

My H-575 came without a strap pin at the heel. 

Instead the boys put a pearl dot inlay marking the spot.  I bet Ren did this.

[hallpass]

I successfully installed a strap button in spot #4 of the above image. You might laugh but about 15yrs ago I broke the screw head installing one on an Eastman guitar. I didn't know enough to drill a pilot hole, dummy me! Thank God the H575 was a success, I would have cried!

Has anyone replaced the strap button on the other end (tail)? I'd like to put a Dunlop button that has a bigger lip to prevent the strap from slipping off.  I unscrewed the stock knob and it's screw doesn't fit the new knob right and I'm unsure if I can just screw in the new knob with It's slightly longer screw, drill a deeper pilot hole, etc? For now I put the stock button back on and can use a rubber washer I already have to prevent slipping off.

[Steiner]

Perhaps try a hardware store and see if they have the same screw a tad shorter.  Screws come in lengths that vary by 1/4".  I'd drill if you use the longer one.