# Whats the best way to tie a Guitar strap? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 10, 2003, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-tie-a-guitar-strap/194284 "2003-08-10T23:47:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Teelo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@Teelo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teelo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2003, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-tie-a-guitar-strap/194284/1 "2003-08-10T23:47:47Z")
I bought me a new acoustic guitar, and I am unsure of the “proper” way to put the strap on. What I mean is, one end of the strap pops on to the plug at the bottom of the guitar, and the other end has to be tied to the neck somehow. Where should it be tied, and how should it be tied? (Oh my god, this guitar sounds lovely)😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mariemarie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58f4c7/32.png) [@Mariemarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mariemarie)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-tie-a-guitar-strap/194284/2 "2003-08-11T00:11:29Z")
As I’ve been told, it’s best to have a knob installed at the “heel”-- where the neck attaches to the body-- and hang the strap on that knob and the knob at the bottom of the guitar. If you attach the strap to the other end of the neck, just above the nut, it places too much stress on the neck. ---
**Author:** ![bradministrator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a698b9/32.png) [@bradministrator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bradministrator)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-tie-a-guitar-strap/194284/3 "2003-08-11T00:47:25Z")
I just looped an old shoelace through the hole in the end of the strap and under the strings behind the nut and tied a knot. Works fine. ---
**Author:** ![Teelo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@Teelo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teelo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-tie-a-guitar-strap/194284/4 "2003-08-11T02:15:55Z")
Alright then, I worked something out. Thanks chums! ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-tie-a-guitar-strap/194284/5 "2003-08-11T02:22:16Z")
Whether to attach the strap to the heel or the neck is a matter of personal choice. I’ve never seen a neck attachment overstress the instrument, and there are plenty of folks who secure the strap there. The main differences have to do with the placement and angle of the guitar and possible interference with your hand. If you want to attach it to the heel, you need a strap button on the heel and a strap with both a second buttonhole and provision for adjustment if used that way. As mentioned, the common place to tie it onto the neck is just past the nut. The strap may have come with a lace for that purpose, or you may have to provide one. Simply slip one end of the lace under the strings next to the nut and loop it around the neck. Tie it with a zeppelin knot ( [http://www.geocities.com/roo\_two/Zeppelin.html](http://www.geocities.com/roo_two/Zeppelin.html) ) or a carrick bend ( [http://www.iland.net/~jbritton/fullcarrickbend.htm](http://www.iland.net/~jbritton/fullcarrickbend.htm) ) and it won’t give you any trouble. These are “good” knots–they won’t slip and they won’t jam. ---
**Author:** ![Teelo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@Teelo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teelo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-tie-a-guitar-strap/194284/6 "2003-08-11T02:28:33Z")
Thanks **Gary** , My dad showed me a “reef” knot which seems to work fine. It looks similar to both of the knots you showed me. And does the job just fine. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-tie-a-guitar-strap/194284/7 "2003-08-11T02:57:20Z")
I’m glad your dad was able to help. Sorry to be a nag, but if it is indeed a reef knot, also known as a square knot, it’s not really the best choice. It’s considered an excellent binding knot (e.g. for shoelaces or wrapping a package), but for this application it is not dependable in terms of holding. Info at these sites: [http://www.realknots.com/knots/reefk.htm](http://www.realknots.com/knots/reefk.htm) [http://www.4thtyldesley.co.uk/skills/knots/knot007.htm](http://www.4thtyldesley.co.uk/skills/knots/knot007.htm) [http://www.geocities.com/roo\_two/reefknot.html](http://www.geocities.com/roo_two/reefknot.html) Obviously, your situation is not as dramatic as some nautical applications, but it would be sad if it gave way and your guitar were damaged. ---
**Author:** ![BrianS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c6cbf5/32.png) [@BrianS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrianS)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-tie-a-guitar-strap/194284/8 "2003-08-11T04:27:55Z")
I use a Tillerman’s Hitch on mine. It’s very strong, and you can release it instantly with a tug. [http://www.troop7.org/Knots/Tiller.html](http://www.troop7.org/Knots/Tiller.html) ---
**Author:** ![Teelo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@Teelo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teelo)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2003, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-tie-a-guitar-strap/194284/9 "2003-08-11T05:17:17Z")
Alright \*\* Gary\*\* you win, i’ll go put a Carrick on my strap right now. Thanks for your advice/concern!