How To Replace Guitar Strap Buttons With Strap Locks

In this guitar-focussed article, guest-blogger Marc serves up a step-by-step guide on how to swap out the standard strap buttons of your acoustic guitar, electric guitar or bass with strap locks. Rest assured, it’s easier than you think and all it takes is a screwdriver and a little bit of your time. Let’s get started.

In Short

• Strap buttons are used to secure a guitar strap. If the strap buttons of your guitar are too small for your strap or if the holes in the ends of your strap have stretched out over time and no longer offer a tight fit, then it’s a good idea to replace your strap buttons with strap locks or to start using strap blocks.
• Strap blocks are little rings made of rubber or plastic that you can slip over the strap buttons after fitting your strap. They’re a simple, low-cost and effective way to keep your strap firmly attached to your guitar.
• Strap locks have a two-part design and take things one step further in terms of safety and peace and mind. A set of strap locks typically includes two special strap buttons for your guitar and two strap locks that need to be secured to your strap.

I always swap out the factory-fitted strap buttons for strap locks with every new guitar I buy. This way, I can use my favourite guitar strap with any of my guitars. Installing strap locks is simple and requires nothing more than a screwdriver. To prevent accidents, it’s best not to use a drill.

Mounting Strap Locks

1. Place the guitar on a flat surface – preferably a guitar work mat or any other surface that doesn’t scratch the finish of the instrument.

2. Unscrew the old strap buttons of the guitar.

3. Screw in the strap buttons that came with your strap locks.

4. Secure the strap locks to the ends of your strap.

5. Secure the strap to your guitar.

See Also

» How To Replace or Adjust the Nut of Your Guitar
» Set Up Your Electric Guitar
» Locking Tuners On Your Guitar: How & Why?
» Ordering a Guitar Online: Why Hasn’t It Been Set Up Already?
» How to String and Set Up a Floyd Rose Tremolo
» How to Replace the Tuners of Your Guitar
» Repair the Electronics of Your Electric Guitar Yourself? Really?!
» How To Replace Passive Electric Guitar Pickups

» Strap Buttons & Strap Locks
» Guitar Tools
» Guitar Maintenance Gear
» All Guitars & Accessories
» All Bass Guitars & Accessories

Adjusting Your Guitar Strap: Playing Comfort or Looks? How to Replace the Tuners of Your Guitar How To Replace Passive Electric Guitar Pickups How To Replace or Adjust the Nut of Your Guitar When Do I Need to Change My Guitar Strings? Cleaning Your Fretboard