For those of you who have Martin guitars...

[samlee0519]

...I'm stuck in a dilemma. I think all Martins come with very wide strap buttons where the instrument cord plugs in, forcing players to buy only the Martin brand leather guitar straps that fit the wide strap button.

Well, I wanna use other straps universally for convenience, and I've found that it's impossible to fit it on there. I've drilled a wider hole on one of my straps, and when I put it on the guitar strap, it fit well. However, after a few months, it started falling apart.

I've also noticed that the strap button is wider AND shorter than some other ones.

I've been trying to look to replace the button because the martin buttons can be screwed off easily.


So my question is: What should I do? Can I just get any new button and screw/twist it on there, or do I need to do something more specific?

Thanks.

[RickG501]

My martin fits all my straps...? I have no dilemma. I don't have a neck strap button, and I don't really like the little strap that goes around the headstock though.

[samlee0519]

What kind of straps do you have? I'm pretty sure that Martin strap buttons are a LOT wider and don't fit normal straps. At least on mine it doesn't.

[imwjl]

Guitars that have or had a pickup are wider and that's not a Martin issue per se. All Larrivees have a wider end pin regardless of electronics.

Bob Colosi sells a bone end pin with standard size with larger end to accommodate guitars with the larger hole. He also sells a bone strap pin for your neck heel if you want that.

[eryque]

It definitely sounds like you're describing the endpin jack, which is always wider than a standard strap button regardless of the guitar's maker.

You can try using a strap made of softer leather that will stretch more, you could also find a tapered rod of some sort you could use to stretch you strap hole on. You could also try punching a bigger hold into the strap, being careful to locate it in a place where it won't likely pull out right away.

[studio1087]

That plug is called the end pin. Martin endpins are pretty standard. I can get a strap on any of my Martin endpins. If your peg hole is reamed larger for a 1/4" jack, you may have to find a sturdy strap that will not fray and cut the strap's rear hole larger to fit over the metal jack.

[samlee0519]

Originally Posted by imwjl

Guitars that have or had a pickup are wider and that's not a Martin issue per se. All Larrivees have a wider end pin regardless of electronics.

Bob Colosi sells a bone end pin with standard size with larger end to accommodate guitars with the larger hole. He also sells a bone strap pin for your neck heel if you want that.

I have a $99 Rogue that has a pickup/electronics but the end pin is normal, which also has a hole that I can plug a cable into.

That's what I'm talking about. Is there anything I can do to get something like that on my Martin?

I'm not gonna get the Bob Colosi bone end pins because
1) they're expensive
2) I would have to drill in a new hole on my guitar for that endpin. I want something to put on where the pickup leads out of the hole.

[blue metalflake]

I use a soft leather strap on my Martin, which has on board electrics. I've used a couple of different straps, as I like them to be interchangeable, and never had a problem.

[RickG501]

My straps are suede leather straps, nothing special, but my Martin doesn't have electronics either...

[Tdot]

Time out - Which Martin model do you have?

[samlee0519]

Originally Posted by Tdot

Time out - Which Martin model do you have?

I have a Martin DCME.


Hold on. I think it would be better if I showed pictures. (They're from my phone, so not the best quality)


This is my guitar. You can kinda see the endpin.






Now zooming in on the endpin:


As you can see, it's a little thicker/wider and shorter than most.




This is the endpin next to a standard sized strap (what I want to use):



Obviously, the endpin is way too thick for this.




Now this was my temporary solution (with a different strap):





On a different strap, I cut the hole open and put some tape around the edges. It worked well, but now it's starting to come off. Plus, recently, the endpin has been coming off being unscrewed!!




Can anyone suggest something?

[blue metalflake]

Understand your problem now Sam. Nothing like mine.

[Stefan]

Can you put a Dunlop straplock on it?

[Bluesbob]

I'm looking forward to some good solutions to this one. I haven't bought a strap for my acoustic/electric Guild DC5, but I will need one in a couple of months. Hopefully by then we'll have some answers.

[charlie cash]

My Martins don't have eloctronics, so they have standard endpins. What I would do in your case is, rather than cut the hole bigger, just cut the slit on top so that it is longer and can open up more and fit around the endpin jack.
Or you can replace the endpin jack.

[williamfriggle]

Most straps will go over that with some persuasion. I have also made the slit on the strap slightly longer to help get over the strap button. The slit that is by the whole in the strap end that goes ever the strap button. That is the type every acoustic electric comes with. This is not just a Martin issue. Either put more umph into putting it on. or lengthen the slit a bit with a sharp knife.

Bill

[garytlove]

would you consider installing a normal strap button a little behind it?

[Zebulon Bluze]

Take your strap to a shoe repair shop or leather craftsman and ask them to punch the hole a little larger. Should only cost a couple of bucks and won't tear up the hole like a drill bit.

[marvelous]

Do just certain Martins have this trouble? I don't have this problem with my D-41 with electronics.
Marvelous
2007 Martin D-41
1966 Martin D-18

[Jakedog]

All of my acoustics with electronics have that same end-pin jack. At first, getting the strap on was kind of a tight fit, really had to work it on there. After awhile though, the leather breaks in, and now it slips on and off with no trouble. I wouldn't go installing any extra pins or buttons, just work the leather to break in, and you should be fine.


Jake

[hekawi]

Originally Posted by Zebulon Bluze

Take your strap to a shoe repair shop or leather craftsman and ask them to punch the hole a little larger. Should only cost a couple of bucks and won't tear up the hole like a drill bit.

+1

[CatfishStudios]

I had same issue, took a larger sized leather punch (borrowed) and smacked a bigger hole in the strap..not too large..so it was still snuggish...worked great.

[Rizo]

Use the strap with the bigger hole, buy a 4 pack of Grolsch beer, drink said beer, put the strap back on your guitar, put the rubber band from the stoper on the beer bottle over the strap button, there by holding the strap on.

Problem solved and thirst quinched.

[swooda]

Originally Posted by Rizo

Use the strap with the bigger hole, buy a 4 pack of Grolsch beer, drink said beer, put the strap back on your guitar, put the rubber band from the stoper on the beer bottle over the strap button, there by holding the strap on.

Problem solved and thirst quinched.

I like the way you think....

[timmer]

Is it just me or does that guitar look like it has a pickup already?

[Colt W. Knight]

Originally Posted by marvelous

Do just certain Martins have this trouble? I don't have this problem with my D-41 with electronics.
Marvelous
2007 Martin D-41
1966 Martin D-18

I hope that 1966 D-18 doesn't have a pup installed.