Need some advice on moving strap button to neck plate

[ThatGuyFromTroy]

Hey folks. I've got a Telecaster Elite. I think it's a 2018. It came with built in strap locks. The strap locks are fine, but I feel that neck on the my Tele neck hangs too low/horizontal for me even with a 'grippy', e.g. not slippery, guitar strap. I really like the way my Gibson Explorer hangs with a higher neck angle almost more like an acoustic classical guitar sort of positioning even when standing. I'm guessing I could get more of that type of neck position by moving the strap button to the neck plate. Like this image I pulled off the web:

I just removed the strap button/screw and the upper right (when viewing from the back of the guitar) back plat screw. The back plate screw is too large to go through the (lockable) strap button that came with the guitar.

Anyone done this or familiar with this idea such they can point me to a vendor and/or product to help me implement this change to my guitar.

The other thing I think I need to consider is how this will impact storing the guitar in it's case, so maybe the replacement strap button will need to be "low profile"?

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[schmee]

My guess is it will probably still work in the case, although may wear a hole or certainly a deep dent at the button.

Maybe you can carefully drill out the button hole on a drill press to accommodate the large neck screw. You may need a ~1/4" longer neck screw.

The other thing is the guitar will hang with the headstock slightly further away from your body. Not too much, but with the button on the normal upper horn location it helps to hang the guitar with the nut easier to reach. Maybe an inch or so .

 

[mfguitar]

I did this years ago to the Peavey T60 for better balance. I countersank the button into the neck plate to eliminate the case issue. If you use one strap (like I do) you will need to put the strap hardware on backward to work, this might be an issue for you.

 

[teleplayr]

Get a strap with suede on the inside.

 

[lucius Mojo]

I had to re-locate the strap button on my HB Ovation because the guitar would simply not hang at the right angle.I moved the button from the right hand side to the side of the neck on the left hand side.Now it hangs just right!

 

[lucius Mojo]

 

[tubedude]

Give it a try first temporarily, with duct tape if you have to. The shorter distance will likely cause more neck dive than less as the center of gravity is shifted toward the bridge. Maybe something like a clip near the other end of the strap that hooks to a belt loop might keep the neck up.

 

[Trenchant63]

Hey folks. I've got a Telecaster Elite. I think it's a 2018. It came with built in strap locks. The strap locks are fine, but I feel that neck on the my Tele neck hangs too low/horizontal for me even with a 'grippy', e.g. not slippery, guitar strap. I really like the way my Gibson Explorer hangs with a higher neck angle almost more like an acoustic classical guitar sort of positioning even when standing. I'm guessing I could get more of that type of neck position by moving the strap button to the neck plate. Like this image I pulled off the web:

View attachment 1089494

I just removed the strap button/screw and the upper right (when viewing from the back of the guitar) back plat screw. The back plate screw is too large to go through the (lockable) strap button that came with the guitar.

Anyone done this or familiar with this idea such they can point me to a vendor and/or product to help me implement this change to my guitar.

The other thing I think I need to consider is how this will impact storing the guitar in it's case, so maybe the replacement strap button will need to be "low profile"?

Thanks,
Chuck

This is cool. I was recently dealing with too low hanging Tele neck as well because I was using a strap with built in ‘locks’ that grab the standard post. About 3-4” of the strap end is rigid which forced down the Tele Neck angle when wearing it - I was continually lifting the neck all night at gigs. I switched from this to a regular leather strap - problem solved. But there is another thing - putting the post behind the neck move’s the neck out from your body and fretboard angle is more perpendicular (vs angled back toward you) to the ground a bit and I really like the feel of that. This is the case on the Gibson Lucille which I own. But I find the standard slab Tele body w/o tummy cut gives a similar feel of neck out from body. This is why I don’t like belly contoured Tele bodies. It almost makes the guitar feel like a classical guitar neck angle in your hands when the fret board is more out from your body and straight up vs angled toward you. Super easy to fret all over the board and comfortable.

 

[Wrighty]

I did similar once on an old Antoria. I cut a piece from an old leather belt. Made holes in it that lined up with the plate holes nearest the neck. Can’t remember if I used longer screws or not but I put washers on them and screwed the belt to plate / guitar so as it protruded about 2” above the neck. I then made a hole towards the top and secured the Straplock button with a small nut, bolt and washers. Was concerned at first about weakening the neck / body joint but it never gave me a problem. I’ve still got a couple of similar set ups on acoustics where the end button is the jack socket.
Mind you, I don’t think it will improve on your issue, it’ll just mean a slightly longer strap pivoting at almost exactly the same place longitudinally.

 

[ponycar]

You would be moving the balance point lower, but also in the wrong linear direction. Think strat horn placing it farther toward the headstock, hence less neck dive than a Tele. I wear my Telecaster high, with headstock pointing up. I think you would not achieve your intended result. I'd take the screw out of the neck plate and put it through a hole in a leather strap, rig it onto your guitar strap and try it out.

 

[edvard]

If this isn't a guitar you want to keep in showroom condition, consider moving the rear strap button higher up on the guitar's rear end. That'll get you the angle you want, and is easier than finagling with neck attachment hardware.

 

[2HBStrat]

Hey folks. I've got a Telecaster Elite. I think it's a 2018. It came with built in strap locks. The strap locks are fine, but I feel that neck on the my Tele neck hangs too low/horizontal for me even with a 'grippy', e.g. not slippery, guitar strap. I really like the way my Gibson Explorer hangs with a higher neck angle almost more like an acoustic classical guitar sort of positioning even when standing. I'm guessing I could get more of that type of neck position by moving the strap button to the neck plate. Like this image I pulled off the web:

View attachment 1089494

I just removed the strap button/screw and the upper right (when viewing from the back of the guitar) back plat screw. The back plate screw is too large to go through the (lockable) strap button that came with the guitar.

Anyone done this or familiar with this idea such they can point me to a vendor and/or product to help me implement this change to my guitar.

The other thing I think I need to consider is how this will impact storing the guitar in it's case, so maybe the replacement strap button will need to be "low profile"?

Thanks,
Chuck

Before you do anything drastic just back that top neckplate screw out a little bit, just enough to get your strap on the screw, and try it to see if you like it before doing a more permanent change to the guitar.

 

[Singin' Dave]

See L Mojo's pic above. This is where to drill a new strap button hole into a Tele body for even balance (depending on your neck weight etc.)

But the other spot is interesting for sure = an extra 1/2" on your neck screw

 

[viking]

Sounds like a set of lightweight tuners could help ?

 

[blue metalflake]

Before you do anything drastic just back that top neckplate screw out a little bit, just enough to get your strap on the screw, and try it to see if you like it before doing a more permanent change to the guitar.

That’s a good idea.
I’d be afraid that the whole thing would want to turn away from you.

 

[mschafft]

Moving the strap button to the neck plate will make the problem worse.
The neck angle will increase with the reverse type of change, i.e. with a longer horn.
Heavier hardware on the body would help (thick bridge plate...) or lighter tuners (acrylic buttons).
This type of strap locks make the horn fractionally longer too (Dunlop duals) and can be used as regular strap buttons:

The bottom line is that most Teles will balance with a shallower angle than strats or explorers, but they're not as divey as SGs. Love them for what they are... The neck plate mod will be a waste of time and money as it will achieve the opposite effect to what you're aiming for.

Cotton strap buttons are more comfy than suede ones and still grippy enough to help with overall balance. D'Addario makes very decent ones (make sure you order cotton, not nylon).

 

[None77]

I move the strap button to the neck plate on all bolt on neck guitars. I had an Ibanez AS50 Hollow Body in high school, and it was my only guitar, the strap button was installed on the heel at the factory. When I got my first Telecaster it was hard for me to play because the neck was more parallel to the floor. If I raised the strap the guitar would get closer to my face, but the neck was still parallel to the floor. I stated moving the strap button to to the Neck Plate, and it made the guitar more comfortable for me to play.

I usually buy a Fender Jazz Bass String Guide. I enlarge the hole on my drill press, and I buy a longer neck screw. This allows me to move the strap button to the back of the neck, without it being pointy or uncomfortable. My tele is at my studio, but I can post a picture if anyone is interested. I know this is an old thread. I do this on my neck through guitars too. I actually came here searching because I'm trying to figure out the best strategy to move the strap button on my Charvel Type 2. It has a sculpted heel, with recessed neck screws.

I have noticed that in lots of pictures of famous guitar players playing hard solos, they will often elevate the head-stock of the guitar, this makes it easier to stretch 4-6 fret range. I have seen many pictures of guitar players with foot up on monitor, and head-stock elevated during fast solos.

Classical guitarists also play with a elevated head-stock, I'm assuming this is because high difficultly level of many Classical Pieces.

 

[ThatGuyFromTroy]

I move the strap button to the neck plate on all bolt on neck guitars. I had an Ibanez AS50 Hollow Body in high school, and it was my only guitar, the strap button was installed on the heel at the factory. When I got my first Telecaster it was hard for me to play because the neck was more parallel to the floor. If I raised the strap the guitar would get closer to my face, but the neck was still parallel to the floor. I stated moving the strap button to to the Neck Plate, and it made the guitar more comfortable for me to play.

I usually buy a Fender Jazz Bass String Guide. I enlarge the hole on my drill press, and I buy a longer neck screw. This allows me to move the strap button to the back of the neck, without it being pointy or uncomfortable. My tele is at my studio, but I can post a picture if anyone is interested. I know this is an old thread. I do this on my neck through guitars too. I actually came here searching because I'm trying to figure out the best strategy to move the strap button on my Charvel Type 2. It has a sculpted heel, with recessed neck screws.

I have noticed that in lots of pictures of famous guitar players playing hard solos, they will often elevate the head-stock of the guitar, this makes it easier to stretch 4-6 fret range. I have seen many pictures of guitar players with foot up on monitor, and head-stock elevated during fast solos.

Classical guitarists also play with a elevated head-stock, I'm assuming this is because high difficultly level of many Classical Pieces.

I appreciate the reply to this thread. I've actually not done any mods yet as my Tele has been my "bedroom guitar" for a while. The last guitar I play before bed/sleeping, laying down, some sort of exercise drills usually, but I digress ...

A couple of other replies suggest moving to the neck plate will have the opposite effect than what I want, which is moving neck angle higher to more of a classical sort of position - e.g. "elevated head-stock". I've not experimented, so I can't say for certain, but logically connecting to a spot lower on the body make me think would bring the neck up.

I'd greatly appreciate a pic both of the mod and you with the guitar hanging freely so I can see the resulting neck angle.

 

[Ron C]

A couple of other replies suggest moving to the neck plate will have the opposite effect than what I want, which is moving neck angle higher to more of a classical sort of position - e.g. "elevated head-stock". I've not experimented, so I can't say for certain, but logically connecting to a spot lower on the body make me think would bring the neck up.

I've put the strap button on the neck plate for about 6 years, for the same reason as you. I like that more classical / Joe Pass type of angle, makes instruments much easier to play (for me).

In my experience, it works well, but only if the guitar's weight balance allows it. i.e. weight at the headstock end is more likely to cause neck dive with the strap button on the neck plate. That's one reason why Strat shaped guitars so rarely have neck dive.

But with a light enough neck and tuners (relative to the weight of the body, especially the butt and jack area) the strap button on a neck plate works well on a Tele.

Hope that makes sense. Reading my rambling above tells me I need a cup of coffee. Just follow the advice of others who suggest backing out a neck screw a little bit and hooking the strap on that as an experiment. It's a low risk, no cost, 1 minute experiment.

And yes, I had to drill out the strap button to accommodate the diameter of the neck screw. I think I use a 1/4" longer screw for the combo strap button/neck screw.

 

[Guppy]

I really like the way my Gibson Explorer hangs with a higher neck angle almost more like an acoustic classical guitar sort of

The Explorer has a totally different geometry. The neck is "shifted" more to the outside. Just like an SG. Moving a strap button on a telecaster won't make it the same.