Starfire 4 strap button position question

[tonepoet]

Hello all,
I recently scored a 1997 Westerly Starfire 4 (something I've always wanted to try) and I was wondering if anyone has tried to move the strap button to the upper bout. Rickenbackers are semi-hollow and have their buttons on the upper bout, but I'm wondering if there's enough solid wood in the upper bout to support a strap button. Love the tone and sustain, but I don't like the way the guitar sits on my body. I'd like it to hang like a Rickenbacker or all my other guitars that have the strap button on the upper bout.

Thanks,

tonepoet

 

[tonepoet]

I think the answer is no. I removed the PUs (which end up being the Duncan made SD-1's) and it appears the the wood in the upper bout is just as thin as top.

 

[prairietelecaster]

I have seen luthiers craft a small block of wood shaped to the inside curves of the bout area and fish it through, glued to set. Then there is something for the strap button screw into. I dont think it is worth the hassle. Owner's call.

Edit: not sure if I would do this either: http://www.treeguitarworks.com/strap-button-on-es-guitars.html

 

[AcornHouse]

^^^
Unless a block is glued to the spot, the sides are about the same thickness as acoustic sides, and can not support a strap pin. To be able to go in and add a block would cost $$$, since working inside the box is not something techs look forward too.

 

[Guitarsetc264]

As a long-time fan and owner of several Rickenbackers (my SECOND favorite guitar company!), I appreciate the appeal of having the strap button on the upper bout, and I also understand why it it won't work here. As Chris noted above, Starfires (and most other semi-hollowbodies including Gibson ES-335s) have thin sides what would need a significant internal block to safely support a strap button there. In contrast, the Rickenbacker semi-hollowbodies start with a solid block of maple which is first cut to the correct body size, shape and full thickness. Then it's routed out from the back to create the hollow chambers, leaving behind the front, sides, bridge & tailpiece blocks, and bracing, which are all one piece of wood! Then a thin sheet of maple is glued on to form the back. This is true of both Rick semi-hollow styles, single-bound around the back and double-bound front and back. Of course, this leaves plenty of solid maple for that upper bout strap button.

It's pretty amazing and unusual work (there are goodpictures on the Rick website, and I got to visit the factory some years ago). But having the strap safely anchored at the heel is really no problem; you just make your strap a bit longer and you completely get used to it!

 

[prairietelecaster]

Here is some more discussion of this idea.
http://forum.gibson.com/index.php?/topic/65881-reposition-your-forward-strap-button/