Should I put a heel strap button on my ES125?

[Lewy]

I'd rather not, but was wondering whether attaching the strap behind the nut poses any kind of stress danger to the headstock/nut area. It all looks fairly sturdy up there but any insight/advice anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated!

At the moment, it's attached like this:

http://myspace-204.vo.llnwd.net/01145/40/22/1145242204_l.jpg

Thanks!

 

[mazjr]

you will not hurt it that way, but there should be one on the heel already, right?

was it removed and filled in?

 

[Lewy]

Hmmm....there's no sign that I can see of there ever having been a button on the heel. Interesting .....

Glad to hear I can keep it as it is though. Thanks!

 

[mazjr]

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/GenSetup/StrapButton/strapbutton1.html

this is one of the places that tells you there is no harm in tying it at the headstock, fwiw. i have a '64 125, and used to have a 50's model. both have the strap button screwed straight into the heel. someone must have fallen asleep at the factory the days yours rolled out!

 

[Lewy]

He he he - thanks for that. Actually, I've just done a bit of googling and found pics of 125's both with and without buttons.

 

[Litcrit]

They didn't come with strap buttons on the heel (nor did many Gibson archtops) but many if not most players have added one, so most you see have one. I HATE the ones on the side of the heel, I prefer the straight in ones. They probably devalue the instrument slightly....
If you can manage the "cowboy strap" technique, it won't hurt the guitar.