heel strap button effect on value

[spiderman]

If one has an essentially original guitar over 25 y/o and adds a heel strap button, how would that affect the value. Assume a well done job of installation. Could always go with the old shoelace around the base of the headstock trick if it will seriously drop the value.

I have seen a similar thread but can't remember if it was here or another forum.
Thanks

Harmony H-173 bought in 1960 (retired)
Alvarez AC60S
Eastman AC320ce BOOKMATCHING BOOKMATCHING WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING BOOKMATCHING!
http://www.massstreetmusic.com/store/sh ... id-Cutaway
GAD-JF30E(blonde)
JF55 1997
D25M 1974 to arrive shortly

 

[dreadnut]

Spidey: I'm gonna tell you what my frined and pickin' buddy told me when I voiced the same concern on my '76 D-25, he said: "It ain't no frickin' Stradivarius!" :lol: i.e., put it where you want it, make it functional for your self, have fun

 

[earbleedz]

I agree. Besides, the old shoelace on the headstock strap holder must put a lot of strain on the neck joint. Over time.... who knows, maybe that would devalue your guitar more.

 

[GardMan]

As far as I am concerned, a neatly installed strap button on the neck heel neither adds nor detracts from the value. A nice button (bone or some nice wood) is more attractive than a cheap metal one.

On the other hand... a bad job could be a deal breaker (cracks, bad placement) I don't like strap buttons on the back of the heel thru the heel cap.

I use a leather lace at the nut on several of my guitars... my oldest is going on 38 years. Don't do it often... but I think the tension stress on the neck from a strap pales in comparison to the force of the strings (perhaps 5-6 lbs, relative to hundreds of pounds of tension).

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I have heard that a strap button will normally have no affect on the value of a guitar, but some collectors will pass on some vintage guitars that have a strap button installed.
Other collectors don't care.
Sounds like some people will try to make a strap button become an issue in order to lower the sale value.

For me, I like it when a guitar that I purchase, doesn't have a strap button installed.
This way I get to choose where it will be located and what button is used.

 

[southernGuild]

I agree with you all ( love your friends Stratavarious quote Dread! :lol: ) I debated TO or NOT TO n my upcoming D25......I decided TO. I am not even thinking about ever selling it.....I AIM TO PLAY IT.....ALOT!!!! that strap button will aide ME in my playing, at little cosmetic detriment. THAT seems fine to me. and alas...at the end of the day ....she's MY guitar....."she aint a Strativarious"!!! a good quality, well installed one......is just fine by me! :wink:

 

[Guildmark]

Guild - Made to be Played

If you want the peg, install the peg.
It won't affect value, but even if it does .....

 

[killdeer43]

"It ain't no frickin' Stradivarius!"

Now that's a classic.
And the rest of it is good, too.

If you buy your Guilds just to keep them in pristine condition so they gain in value, when do you get to play them? Did I just imagine it or didn't I hear/read somewhere that they were "made to be played?" Sound familiar? :wink:

I just like the end of my strap coming into the heel, mainly because it keeps the strap out of the way, but I never did like the old way of a loop of leather, shoestring, whatever, at the nut.

Heel!
Joe

 

[dane]

I don’t mean to be insulting to anyone with what I’m about to say, but I really don’t understand people buying any musical instrument, including a Stradivarius as an investment. As Guild so rightfully say’s, “It’s made to be played”, no matter what kind of instrument it is. The only reason it was ever created is to bring pleasure to people through music, and pleasure to the musician. So if putting a strap button on your D-25 will allow it to be played and be used for the sole purpose of which it was created, I say go for it, and don’t worry too much if it will devalue it a few bucks…if at all. The true value of your guitar is not measured in dollars, but in hours of bliss as you create music from silence. Collecting for the purpose of future investment is a fine thing…that’s what stamps are for, not guitars. IMHO.

Dane

 

[killdeer43]

The true value of your guitar is not measured in dollars, but in hours of bliss as you create music from silence.[/b][/u] Collecting for the purpose of future investment is a fine thing…that’s what stamps are for, not guitars. IMHO.
Dane

And there you go. Buy it, play it, and just enjoy the music you make. Take care of you Guilds and don't abuse them, but don't baby them either.

And check out his avatar! :wink:
Joe

 

[spiderman]

Actually when I put the heel strap pin on my Stradivarius it increased the value, because it was one of a kind :twisted: but I digress.

See the Members area/ ebay etc. thread, D25 on the Bay I guess the reason to obsess about this for me it is the first semi-vintage instrument in good shape I will have. I am inclined to have my luthier put one on the back of the heel, but not on the base of the heel which to me seems to be an awkward place. I guess I'll have to get another Guild strap now. Now to paint it like the Camaro Esteban and it will suit me perfectly.


Harmony H-173 bought in 1960 (retired)
Alvarez AC60S
Eastman AC320ce BOOKMATCHING BOOKMATCHING WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING BOOKMATCHING!
http://www.massstreetmusic.com/store/sh ... id-Cutaway
GAD-JF30E(blonde)
JF55 1997
D25M 1974 to arrive shortly

 

[Bikerdoc]

Guild players feel the same way I do about my Harley's. If you buy it for an investment, the craftsmanship is going to waste and some deserving soul is losing out as well.

Oh yeah, the strap button. Seems that Musicians Friend figures it to be a "3rd party" assault on a new guitar. Peronally I've not once thought of a strap button affecting the "vintageness' of any guitar.

Peace

 

[Brad Little]

I certainly agree that a guitar (and not just Guilds) are made to be played. To that end, this year I have given away three guitars (no Guilds, a Harmony Patrician archtop, a Harmony classical and a Favilla dreadnought) and a banjo. I have also leant out two other guitars (inclusing a synth ready Godin and a Roland GR-20) because I don't have time to play them. I do try to give all of my Guilds sufficient playing time, but sadly, some are still neglected.
Brad

 

[fronobulax]

If you are a player then you do what you need to do so that you can play it. If you are an investor you do nothing to it, including play it, that might possibly decrease its value. Unfortunately most people think they can craft some kind of middle ground where they can play it and preserve its value. There is an infamous, non-guitar example where an investor bought a large quantity of gold Krugerrands. He took delivery of them and would sometimes take them out of the container to fondle them or just let them cascade through his fingers. Needless to say the fact that there was minor damage to the coins, due to clinking and finger oils, effectively reduced the value of his investment by 40%.

So, I repeat. There is no middle ground. Either you play it or you put it safely away.

In this case I vote with others for adding the button in a way that does not effect the structural integrity of the guitar.

 

[killdeer43]

I offer, for your viewing pleasure/discussion, my D15 with the strap button that I installed as soon as it came into my hands.

Looks good to me and it works really well.

Heel!
Joe

 

[gilded]

I both like and need strap buttons, as I have a lot of calcium build-up in my shoulders that makes it very hard to hold a guitar neck up for any length of time without experiencing a lot of pain. For me a guitar strap (and a strap button) is a mighty good thing.

Having said that, I buy and sell a lot of guitars and my opinion is that more people will pass on a guitar because it HAS a strap button than will pass on a guitar because it DOESN'T HAVE a strap button. In that sense, the presence of a strap button will limit your market. I also agree with the earlier poster about button placement, correctness of install, location, etc. There is no universally accepted place or location on a guitar neck (or body!) for a strap button, either. Everybody wants something different...

If you are talking about a vintage instrument, well, 'period correct' strap buttons are less offensive to the prospective buyer than a brand new piece of metal. If I had a '50's F20 and I wanted to put a button on it, I think I'd be looking for an old Guild button to use.....

Harry

 

[killdeer43]

When I get a new(old) guitar and I want to install a strap button, I look for one that 'works' with the overall look/feel of the guitar.
There are tons of variations and it's easy enough to match the two strap buttons on any guitar.

Again, to each his own.

Joe

 

[Paddlefoot]

Not opposed to strap buttons but I would rather buy a guitar without one. I play sitting most of the time and rarely use a strap so most of my guitars don't have one added. There was a good discussion on Frets.com about tying the strap to the peghead and as you might suspect there was a good bit of disagreement about this being a good practice. Most of the good side said the evidence was that Gibson and Martin don't put a strap button on their guitars and Martin even sells a wrap around button to go on the peghead. I thought it was kind of interesting that some of these guys who said the peghead attachment was nothing to worry about also are in the camp that says it's best to have a jig to hold the guitar in playing position to set up the action because laying it flat on the bench would give a false setting......Let me see laying it on its back is bad but if I hang it around my neck and grab it and put the weight of my arms and the force of strumming on it into the neck joint that's OK.... :? All in all I guess it' all about the same, although I don't recommend using a leather boot lace to tie a strap on the peghead. I have seen several nice blonde maple guitars discolored by doing that.

 

[chazmo]

It has never impacted my decision to buy a guitar.

I have indeed been displeased about the placement of some of the strap buttons in my herd, but it simply has not been a purchasing factor.

I should also note that all current Guilds are coming from the factory with strap pins on the top side (screwed into a little block). I think this placement is a good position, but I don't like the fact that it comes at the expense of added material in the box. Personally, I'd prefer the strap button pretty much where Joe put his, a la Taylor.

 

[killdeer43]

Personally, I'd prefer the strap button pretty much where Joe put his, a la Taylor.

I've found that spot to be the best for a secure feeling when I'm counting on the strap to do its job and not pitch my guitar to the floor, thereby creating a problem much worse than where to put your strap button. :!:

If you have a nice leather strap, it wraps itself nicely around and caresses the heel. Ooops, getting off track here! :roll:

Joe