How to Replace Guitar Strap Buttons Securely

Why strap buttons fail

A strap button is a small metal post with a flange, held to the guitar by a single wood screw. The screw thread grips the wood, and the flange holds the strap slot. When the screw is too large for the pilot hole, it acts like a wedge and can split the wood along the grain. When the screw is too short, it won't bite enough wood to hold the button against the lever force of a heavy strap and guitar.

Acoustic guitars and electric guitars are built very differently inside. An acoustic has thin, braced top and back plates with hollow interior space. A strap button mounted near the neck joint or at the endpin passes through the side or the endblock, which is a solid block of wood inside the body. An electric guitar with a solid body may have a strap button screwed directly into the body wood. Knowing which area you are working with tells you how much wood the screw can safely engage.

If you are shopping for a guitar and worried about strap button location or body construction, the relevant specs on guitar family pages and body shape guides can help. You can also read the buying guides to compare specific models before you commit.

Tools and safety

You only need a few hand tools: a Phillips head screwdriver (No. 1 or No. 2 depending on the screw head), a drill with the correct bit size, and optionally a piece of masking tape and a wax candle. A hand screwdriver gives you the best feel for how the screw is engaging. A power drill is useful for drilling the pilot hole but you should set it to low speed and low torque.

Work in a well-lit space, and never hold the guitar by the neck while you are turning a screw near the body. Lay the guitar on a padded work surface or use a guitar stand that holds the neck securely. For a guide to using strap locks, see how to install strap locks.

Always remove the strap from the guitar before starting. Replacing strap buttons on a guitar that still has a strap attached can twist the button and strip the screw hole.

Removing the old button

Turn the screw counterclockwise with a hand screwdriver. It should come out easily. If the screw is seized or the head is worn, do not force the screwdriver at an angle. Try a larger screwdriver tip that fits the head better, or gently tap the handle with the palm of your hand clockwise first to break any corrosion, then counterclockwise to remove.

Once the screw is out, set it aside with the button. You may reuse the same screw if it is in good condition and the new button has the same screw hole size. Many replacement strap buttons use the same standard screw thread, but some premium buttons include their own screw.

Inspect the old screw and the old hole. If the threads are worn or the hole feels enlarged, you may need a slightly larger screw or a wood plug to repair the hole before installing the new button. For a thorough treatment of this issue, see how to fix a stripped screw hole in guitar.

Choosing the right screw

Standard strap button screws are typically around No. 4 or No. 5 gauge, with lengths from 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch for guitars. The exact size depends on the brand and whether the button is designed for a solid body or a hollow body guitar. Most replacement buttons clearly state the screw length and gauge on the packaging.

The screw must be long enough to pass through the button flange and still bite into about 3/8 inch of solid wood. On a hollow acoustic guitar, the visible side wood is often only about 0.1 inch thick, so the screw must reach into the endblock or the neck block. On a solid electric guitar, the screw engages the body wood, and a 1/2 inch screw is usually sufficient. If you are unsure about the construction of your guitar, check the acoustic guitar body depth guide.

Never use a screw that is noticeably thicker than the original, especially on an acoustic guitar. The wood around the existing hole is already conditioned to the old thread. A thicker screw can crack the side or the endblock. If the original hole is stripped or enlarged, repair it first or choose a screw of the same gauge but slightly longer, and fill the hole with wood glue and a toothpick or dowel.

Drilling the pilot hole

For a new button location, always drill a pilot hole before driving the screw. The pilot hole removes wood so the screw threads can cut cleanly rather than forcing the wood apart. The correct pilot hole size depends on the screw gauge and the wood density. As a rule of thumb, the pilot hole should be about the same diameter as the screw's inner core, not the thread diameter. For a No. 4 screw, a 1/16 inch bit is often right; for a No. 6 screw, a 5/64 inch bit may be needed. If you are unsure, test on a piece of scrap wood with the same density.

Mark the drill bit depth with a piece of masking tape. Drill to a depth about 1/8 inch shallower than the screw length, so the screw tip does not poke through the other side. On a hollow acoustic, the endblock is a solid block whose depth varies by model, so do not drill deeper than the screw length.

For an existing hole, you may not need to re-drill. Turn the screw in slowly with a hand screwdriver. The old threads should guide the new screw. If you feel significant resistance, stop and inspect the hole. It may have a splinter or old wood glue that needs to be cleared with a small drill bit.

Installing the new button

Place the button over the pilot hole and align the screw with the hole. Seat the screw tip into the hole and turn it clockwise with a hand screwdriver. Keep the screw perpendicular to the body. If you tilt it, you can split the wood or bend the screw.

Tighten until the flange of the button is snug against the guitar surface. Stop before the screw head starts to dig into the flange or the wood. Over-tightening is a common cause of stripped holes in soft woods like mahogany or sapele. The goal is a firm hold, not maximum torque.

After driving the screw, test the button by pulling on it gently. If the button rotates or feels loose, remove it and make the pilot hole slightly smaller by re-drilling with a smaller bit, or repair the hole with a wood plug and start again. A button that is only affixed to the finish will pull out the first time you use a strap.

Handling the endpin and electric guitars

On many acoustic guitars, the strap button at the end of the body is actually the endpin, which may also secure the strap or a strap lock. Some endpins are a tapered friction fit and do not have a screw. To replace one with a screw-type button, you must pull the original endpin straight out. This can require a bit of force, but it does not unscrew. If you have an acoustic-electric guitar, the endpin may be an output jack, and you should not force it.

For electric guitars, you can replace either the button on the horn or the one at the tail. On a guitar with a bolt-on neck, the neck joint area is reinforced with a neck plate and screws, so do not drill into that region. Choose a button that clears the neck plate.

Many players use strap locks, which replace the button with a post and a locking mechanism that attaches to the strap. You can install a strap lock at both the horn and the tail positions. The method is identical to a standard button, but the screw may be longer and must not bottom out in the wood.

If you install a strap lock on an acoustic guitar, make sure the screw is long enough to anchor in the endblock. A short screw on a heavy acoustic guitar can pull out, which is a common cause of the guitar falling. See how to install strap locks for more details.

After installation, always check the button from a few angles to verify it is not tilted. A tilted button can create a sharp edge that cuts the strap slot, and it also indicates the screw is not aligned with the pilot hole.

What to pick for your use

The right button for you depends on your guitar's body type and how you use the strap. If you gig often and want a quick release, a strap lock system is a good upgrade. If you only need a robust button for home playing, a standard metal button with a correctly sized screw is fine.

For acoustic guitars, choose a button with a wide flange to distribute the load. For electric guitars, the button can be smaller and more decorative. Always buy a button that includes a screw of the right gauge and length, and do not reuse a screw from a different brand without checking the fit.

If you are considering a new guitar and want to know how the strap buttons are placed and how the body is constructed, check the guitar body shapes guide and the best acoustic guitars or best electric guitars guides for specific models. You can also read the maintenance articles for your guitar brand to understand typical construction.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Can I replace strap buttons on any guitar?

Yes, as long as you match the screw size and length to the wood and use a pilot hole for new locations. Avoid forcing a thicker screw into an old hole on an acoustic guitar.

What size screw do I need for a guitar strap button?

Most guitar strap buttons use a No. 4 or No. 5 gauge screw between 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch long. The exact size depends on the button brand and the guitar body. Always check the button's packaging for the screw gauge and length.

Do I need to drill a new hole when replacing a strap button?

If the original button is in the same location, you can often reuse the same hole without re-drilling. For a new location, you must drill a pilot hole to prevent splitting the wood.

How do I know if the screw is too long?

Mark the drill bit with tape at the screw length plus 1/8 inch. If the bit passes deeper than that mark, the screw will likely poke through the inside of the guitar. On an acoustic, the endblock is solid but you should not exceed the screw length.

What if the old screw hole is stripped?

Repair the hole first by filling it with wood glue and a toothpick or small dowel, let it dry, then drill a new pilot hole of the correct size for the screw. Do not just use a larger screw, especially on a hollow body.

Can I use a strap lock on an acoustic guitar?

Yes, if you install it in the endblock at the tail and in the neck block at the heel. Use a screw that is long enough to anchor in the solid block, and do not over-tighten.