How to Set Up and Use Guitar Strap

Fitting a guitar strap properly takes about two minutes and makes an enormous difference to how the instrument sits and how comfortable it is to play standing up. Get it wrong and you're fighting the guitar all set; get it right and you barely notice it's there. Here's exactly how to do it, step by step.

What You'll Need

• Your guitar and guitar strap
• A strap with lace or cord (if your acoustic has only one strap button)
• Strap locks — optional but recommended for live use (Schaller or Dunlop)
• A Phillips screwdriver — only needed if you're installing strap locks

Step-by-Step: Fitting a Guitar Strap

1. Identify your strap buttons. On most electric guitars, there are two strap buttons: one at the base of the body (the bottom strap pin) and one on the upper bout or at the heel of the neck joint. On many acoustic guitars, there is only one button at the base — you'll use a lace for the headstock end.
2. Attach the wider end to the bottom strap button. The end tab — the leather or plastic loop at each end of the strap — simply slides over the strap button. Push it on firmly until the button head sits clear of the tab's edge. Give it a firm downward tug to check it's seated properly.
3. Attach the narrower end to the upper strap button (electric) or headstock (acoustic). For a guitar with two buttons, repeat the same process at the upper bout button. For an acoustic with one button, thread the lace or cord through the strap's end loop and tie it securely around the headstock below the nut — between the nut and the first tuning peg. The knot should be firm but not so tight that it compresses the wood. A simple double-overhand knot works well.
4. Put the guitar on and stand up naturally. Let the guitar hang where it falls. Now look at where it sits relative to your body — ideally, the guitar should be at roughly the same height as when you're seated.
5. Adjust the strap length. Find the buckle or adjustment slider (usually on the shoulder section of the strap) and slide it to lengthen or shorten until the guitar sits at a comfortable height. For most players, the top of the guitar body sits around the hip-to-waist area. Players who need easy access to the upper frets generally prefer a higher position; those going for a classic rock stance may prefer it lower — though keep in mind that very low guitar positions make fretting considerably harder.
6. Check the balance and comfort. Play a few chords and walk around. The guitar should feel stable and not pull forward or back. Your fretting arm should feel relaxed and free. If the guitar is swinging or the neck is dipping toward the floor, the strap may need repositioning or the upper button may need moving (a job for a luthier if it's not already in the right spot).

How to Install Strap Locks (Optional but Recommended)

If you're playing live or moving around, standard strap buttons rely on friction alone. A strap lock system completely removes that risk. Here's how to fit the most common type (Schaller or Dunlop):

1. Remove the existing strap buttons using a Phillips screwdriver — they unscrew anticlockwise. Keep the original screws somewhere safe.
2. Screw the new strap lock buttons into the same holes. These are slightly larger than standard buttons — if they're loose in the existing hole, use the supplied longer screw or wrap the original screw thread with a small amount of PTFE plumber's tape before re-inserting.
3. Fit the locking receiver onto each end of the strap according to the instructions. On Dunlop Straploks, this replaces the original leather tab; on Schaller S-Locks, it clips onto the existing strap end.
4. Clip the receivers onto the new buttons. They should click firmly into place and require deliberate pressure on the release mechanism to remove.

Common Setup Checks

• Does the strap slip off the button? The tab may be worn or stretched. Replace it, or add a small rubber O-ring (cut from a rubber washer) between the tab and the button — an old trick that works a treat.
• Is the guitar neck dipping? This is normal with certain body shapes (particularly Stratocaster-style guitars). Adjusting the strap attachment point on the upper bout can help. A heavier strap on the body end can also improve balance.
• Is the lace digging into the headstock? Slide a thin piece of soft cloth or felt under the lace before tying to protect the finish.

For help choosing which strap to buy in the first place, see our complete buyer's guide. If you're new to guitars, the beginner's guide to guitar straps covers the basics in a straightforward way. And for a breakdown of the different types of guitar strap available, read our Guitar Strap Explained article.

The Bottom Line

Fitting a guitar strap is a five-minute job that sets you up to play comfortably standing up for years. Take a moment to get the height right, check the tabs are properly seated, and consider strap locks if you're going to be moving around on stage. Once it's sorted, you can forget about it entirely and focus on the playing.

Frequently Asked Questions