How To Use A Headstock Loop

There are two main ways of attaching a strap to a guitar or mandolin.
 

In the photo above, the strap is attached to the top of the guitar body, known as the heel.

Here, the strap is attached to the headstock at top of the neck.

There are 2 reasons why you would choose one style or the other:

    1. The guitar does not have a strap pin at the heel, like this:

   2. You simply find it more comfortable one way over the other.

NO HEEL PIN?

All electric guitars & basses have a strap pin at the heel. It is only missing from some acoustic guitars. If your acoustic does not have a strap pin at the heel, then you can have one fitted.  This is done by drilling a hole in the heel and screwing in a new strap pin. If you have a valuable guitar then you may not like this idea!

WHAT IS A HEADSTOCK LOOP?

So, if you want to attach the strap to the headstock, you can either just tie it on using some kind of lace or cord, or use a special little device called a headstock loop:

The benefit of the headstock loop is that you can easily take your strap on and off the guitar, without having to undo any knots.  The little headstock loop stays on the guitar all the time.  To take your strap off, you just detach it from the headstock loop:

HOW TO FIT A PINEGROVE HEADSTOCK LOOP

Here's how to fit a headstock loop on your guitar:

MY STRAP GETS IN THE WAY!

One problem with attaching a strap to the headstock, using any method, is that it can get in the way of your fretting hand when you are down at the 1st fret:

Note how the headstock loop has been fitted right behind the nut, and is getting in the way of the player's thumb. This problem can be cured by simply adjusting where you attach the headstock loop. For example:

Need more help?
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Remember: When you put a strap on a guitar, always check it's on safely and securely!