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Ok, I know what you’re all thinking it.
He’s gone off the deep end and is all hyped up by…of
all things…a strap button!
However,
it’s truly an amazing gadget that is so simplistic,
yet so functional. Just as I did, you’ll wonder why
someone did not come up with it sooner.
Lets
go back to the start of our story. Not long ago, my eyes gazed
upon a new 2004 Fender American
Series Stratocaster, complete with the 50th
anniversary neck plate.
It
was a beautiful guitar, but nothing special as far as Stratocasters
go. The first thing I did was dig into the case to look for
the Schaller strap locks that Fender always provides with
their American Series guitars. They weren’t in the case
pocket. I tore open the “case candy” bag. Nothing.
After
a quick call, I learned that they don’t provide them
anymore because of the new strap
button design.
 Taking
a look, I saw that they did indeed redesign the strap buttons
by cutting a deep 90-degree groove all around the button near
the base. When you put your strap on the button, it slides
down and drops into the groove. Because of the high 90-degree
sides, it does not come out. Functionally, it works just like
a strap lock without the bulk and extra cost.
Since
I’m in a newly formed band, I could not test it at a
gig, so I did the next best thing. I took it to band practice.
No matter what I did, it stayed in place. I did all the usual
bending and jumping and it stayed in place, just like it would
with a strap lock.
In
fact, it worked so well that the other guitar player asked
if I could get him a set for his ES-335. At the same time
I thought I’d pick up a set for my 10-year-old son’s
new Gibson Les Paul, notoriously in need of some kind of strap
locks.
I
made what I thought was going to be a quick call to Fender
to order a couple of sets. The quick call ended up being a
long call because the part was so new that it did not show
up on any of their lists or databases. After being put on
hold, I was cheerfully given the part number and the phone
number where to call to order them.
After
calling the Guitra Part Guru, I was told again that the part
was so new that it did not show up in their computers, even
with the correct part number. I was told that they would call
me back in a day or so when he was able to get more information.
Two
days later, I received a call and was told the cost was $2.86
per button, but they were so new that they could only be ordered
as a special order item and it would take a few months to
get them. Away went my credit card information and I now anxiously
wait for them to arrive.
Maybe
if enough people order them, they will make it into their
regular supply chain so we can all get them much faster.
You
can order as set of these engineering marvels by calling the
Guitar Parts Guru at 847-202-5185
and asking for part number 006
326 7000. It will take a while, but it will
be well worth the wait!
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