How To Properly Wear A Guitar Strap

How to properly put on and use a guitar strap confuses beginners. In this lesson, you will learn how to wear a guitar strap properly and like a pro.

Caution!

Do not nail or screw your guitar strap. It will damage your guitar.

A lot of beginners think that you need to put a nail or screw your guitar strap to your guitar. No! You never do that. Even if your guitar does not have two strap buttons.

I will show you how to properly wear your guitar strap/ guitar belt with just one strap button. Learn and install your guitar strap the right way.

Things Required

To put on a guitar strap, you will require the following:

1. Guitar — Acoustic Guitar Or Classical Or Electric Guitar. You can also use the same approach for Bass Guitar and Ukuleles.
2. Guitar Strap/ Guitar Belt — A guitar strap is used to anchor your guitar and help you play the guitar while standing up. A guitar strap is like a belt that goes around your neck and over your shoulder. You can use any good quality guitar strap/ guitar belt whether it is made of leather, nylon, cotton, woven or any other material.
   
3. Strap Buttons(Optional) — A strap button is a piece of hardware mounted to a guitar or other instrument, as an anchor point for attaching a strap.  Most guitars come equipped with strap buttons. If your guitar does not have any strap button, you will need at least one.
   Some guitars, especially acoustic guitars, have just one strap button. That is okay. You will learn How To Wear An Acoustic Guitar Strap With One Strap Button.
4. A Strap Lace Tie/ Strap String(Optional) — If your guitar has only one strap button, you will need a lace tie/strap string or a headstock leather adapter. If your strap does not have a tie lace, you can also use a shoelace. If your guitar has two strap buttons, a lace tie/string is not required.
   

    

5. Strap Locks(Optional) — Strap locks help keep your guitar secure and ensure that your guitar never falls. Strap locks are optional but a great investment.
   

How To Put On A Guitar Strap

If you have an electric guitar, acoustic guitar, classical guitar or a bass guitar with two strap buttons. Follow the steps below to put on a guitar strap and wear it: —

• Step 1: — Put one end of the guitar strap in the strap button of the guitar body. Generally, the strap end with a length adjuster/buckle goes towards the guitar body strap button. The buckle piece should be pointed away from the guitar.
  
• Step 2: — Put the other end of the guitar strap in the strap button that is towards the neck of the guitar body.
• Step 3: — Ensure that there are no twists in the guitar strap and both ends of the guitar strap are anchored firmly and properly.
  
• Step 4: — Wear the guitar with a guitar strap. A guitar strap is like a belt that goes around your neck and rests over your fretting hand shoulder.
• Step 5: — Check for the strap length. If it is too long or too short, adjust the strap length accordingly.
• Step 6: — If you are playing an electric guitar, your guitar cable slips between your strap and guitar and then goes into the jack.

How To Wear An Acoustic Guitar Strap With One Strap Button

If your guitar has just one strap button, you will need a tie lace (also called strap string or strap tie). You can also use a headstock adapter or a shoelace. Once you have the lace tie or any other alternatives, follow these steps to put on the guitar strap with one strap button: -

• Step 1: — Slip one end of the guitar strap in the strap button of the guitar body. Generally, the strap end with a length adjuster/buckle goes towards the guitar body strap button. The buckle piece should be pointed away from the guitar.
  
• Step 2: — Loop the lace through the hole of the guitar strap at another end. Tie the lace to the guitar headstock. The lace tie goes just above the guitar nut and beneath the guitar strings.
• Step 3: — Ensure that there are no twists in the guitar strap and both ends of the guitar strap are anchored firmly and properly.
• Step 4: — Wear the guitar with a guitar strap. A guitar strap is like a belt that goes around your neck and rests over your fretting hand shoulder.
• Step 5: — Check for the strap length. If it is too long or too short, adjust the strap length accordingly.

How High Should Your Guitar Strap Be?

A proper guitar strap length is the one that makes you feel comfortable while playing the guitar. You should be able to comfortably rest your forearm on the body of the guitar, and you should be able to fret notes and chords as though you were sitting down to play the instrument. If not, readjust the strap.

Play the guitar for a few minutes and make any needed adjustments. Playing comfort is the most important aspect of adjusting a strap. If you like the guitar closer to your chest, leave it there. If you like it low, keep it low. It all depends on your style and preference.

For beginners, the guitar strap should be adjusted in a way so that the guitar stays in the same position when you are playing sitting down or standing up.

How to Adjust Your Guitar Strap Length?

To adjust your guitar strap length, first take the guitar off your shoulder. Adjust the length of the guitar by pulling one end of it through the buckle until the guitar sits across your stomach. Re-wear the guitar strap and make adjustments accordingly.

Secure Your Guitar Straps With Strap Locks

Over time, guitar straps loops tend to become loose and flimsy. A strap lock is an additional hardware that you can buy and install on your guitar or bass. Strap locks ensure that your instrument won't inadvertently fall off, allowing the instrument to plunge to the floor and suffer potential damage.

Also, if you wish to perform guitar windmill or other stunts while performing, strap lock is a must.

A wide variety of strap locks are available, ranging from simple rubber washers that help hold the strap onto the guitar’s strap button, to spring-loaded metal clasps that can withstand hundreds of pounds of force.

Best Guitar Straps You Can Buy

Guitar belts/ Guitar straps are made of several different materials like leather, nylon, cotton, woven or any other material. The choice of material completely depends from person to person. Some prefer leather while others prefer nylon or any other material.

What matters the most while purchasing a guitar strap is that it feels comfortable over long hours, keeps your guitar secure, and also looks great. Here are some of the best guitar straps that you can buy for your guitar:

Budget-Friendly Guitar Straps

1. Ernie Ball Black Polypro Guitar Strap: — The basic, reliable and budget-friendly guitar strap for electric guitars and bass guitar. This one is available in numerous colour options.

2. Best Sound Stores Guitar Strap With Headstock Leather Adapter: — If your guitar does not have two strap buttons, buy this one. It is reliable, comes with a headstock adapter and is on a budget.
   

3. D'Addario  Locking Guitar Strap: — The most secure guitar strap on a budget. This one comes with strap locks inbuilt.
   

Most Comfortable Guitar Straps

1. KLIQ AirCell Guitar Strap: — Nothing Beats a KLIQ Aircell when it comes to comfort. You can wear it for hours and hours. It is comfortable to wear. If you have a heavy guitar or bass, get this one without a thought. Most touring musicians own the KLIQ Aircell.

2. Perri’s Leathers Suede Guitar Strap: - Made with 2.5" suede padded strap for comfort. This one is also known for comfort and reliability.

3. Levy's Right Height Guitar Strap with RipChord Quick Adjustment Technology: — This one comes with a 3.5” strap and a quick adjustment feature that enables you to adjust strap height without taking the guitar off. 

Best Guitar Strap Brands

 Some of the best guitar strap brands are: -

• Levy's Leathers
• D'Addario
• Perri's Leathers
• KLIQ Music Gear

FAQ

Should You Wear A Guitar Strap Sitting Down?

If you have a guitar strap installed, you should always wear it. If you sit down and do not wear your guitar strap, it will be hanging loose and create a nuisance. Wearing a guitar strap also ensures that your guitar will not fall. So it is better to wear a guitar strap at all times.

Are Guitar Straps Useful?

Guitar straps are a must if you are playing standing up, and Guitar straps also ensure your guitar safety. If you notice any professional guitar player, they always have a guitar strap installed. Guitar straps are very useful. You never know when you might need to play standing up. So having a guitar strap installed is always helpful.

Do All Straps Fit All Guitars?

If you have a guitar with two strap buttons installed, all guitar straps will fit your guitar. If your guitar has just one strap button, you will need a guitar strap with a lace tie or a headstock leather adapter.

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