Seagull S6+CW - need advice on adding strap button/fixture

[mrbowes]

I recently bought on a Seagull S6+CW A/E and am very happy with the purchase. However, the guitar does not have a strap button on the base of the neck.

Adding a strap holder/fixture/button (what's it called btw?) seems relatively easy...drill a small hole and screw it in. I want to avoid getting this done at a guitar shop if possible.

Is the hole generally drilled in line with the neck or perpendicular (i.e. so that the button is pointing down towards to the ground)?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. If there are any particular types of strap buttons that seem to work well, please let me know. Thanks!

I'll try to get some pics up later as I imagine that will help clarify the install.

 

[Flamin Lip]

There are 2 ways/ places to do it. One is dead center of the heel of the guitar, the other would be 45 degrees toward the ground on the heel of the neck. I personally am into symetry, so I always drill them in the center. WARNING!!! Always drill a small pilot hole before you sink the screw in, and dont overtighten, that little felt pad is a good guide when to stop screwing.

Also, if you go to a mom and pop guit store, they will usually screw it in for you on the spot if you buy the strap button for no charge to a nominal charge.

 

[Frambo]

Pin danger

Hey there mrbowes
A word of warning re the heel where you are intending to put the strap pin... it is possible that your typical strap pin screw (e.g. Dunlop or Planet Waves)will be a 1 or 2mm too long and hit a bolt inside the heel. I work in music retail and this used to be a problem for us with Seagulls so we had to have some slightly shorter screws on hand. However, they may have made a change to recent production because the last pin we fitted was fine with a regular screw. Like Flamin Lip mentioned, the pilot hole and felt pad are a good idea. IMO the 45 degree position is better because it lets the strap end wrap a little over the heel and is less likely to slip off. Good luck
Seagulls prove that good things come out of Canada

 

[mrbowes]

I found a small guitar shop and they installed a nice metal strap button for $10, which seemed very reasonable.

Frambo, the guitar tech said he had to run to the hardware store to find a small screw, so I imagine he's aware of your obseravation regarding Seagull.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[hoops]

The store I work at has no problem putting on the buttons. If you drill 1" up from the base of the heel of the neck you will miss the screw in the neck.