Just bought a new 05 D2H. Need to install a strap button. I noticed on the Collings website the diagram for the location. Anybody got any thoughts on this?

Cody,

I did it that way and I like it.

Me too...go for it.

I had an authorized dealer do mine. It was $10 and flawless. I watched at even at that my heart was racing. Imagine if I had the drill in my hands!

I don't think Collings means for the suggestion to be much of an optional thing. I think anywhere less meaty and you risk a crack, anywhere more meaty and your risk hitting a bolt in the neck. Of course, I may be wrong.

Cody, does your sig line mean the Bourgeios Slope D has been converted to a D2H? Care to compare and contrast??

I want planning on getting the strap button installed differently than what Collings recommended. Its just the same lump in the throat feeling I get every time I have one put in. Nice to see I'm not the only one that feels this way!

On the Bourgeois to Collings conversion, you are correct. How did you know? Anyway, the Bourgeois was an outstanding guitar. I loved the quality craftsmanship of the guitar, and the tone was just amazing also. The thing is, I got the Bourgeois on kind of a spur of the moment situation, and while I loved the guitar, it still just wasnt the sound I was looking for. For one thing, I already had a mahogany guitar in my D18, and I was really wanting that "boom" that comes from rosewood. I have played several Collings guitars over the past few years and have fell in live with all of them, so thats what I bought. I had tossed up the thoughts of buying another Bourgeois that I had found(vintage d,honduran and adi), but I decided on the Collings. Another big factor in my decision besides the tone, was the neck. I love the way the Collings neck(std., not wide) feels to my hand. It feels more like my old Martin, where the Bourgeois had a wider and thinner neck. The Bourgeois had more of what you could call a "fast" neck, but the comfort was more important to me. I'm sure theres a Bourgeois out there that would have suited me better than the one I had, and I cant say anything bad about Bourgeois. He makes a very fine guitar, and so does Bill Collings. I love 'em all!

quote:

Its just the same lump in the throat feeling I get every time I have one put in.

Nausea is more like it. I would really suggest having a Collings dealer do it. They are more likely to know about the need for a relatively specific location, and then you have at least some recourse should something happen (but don't worry, it won't!).

quote:

On the Bourgeois to Collings conversion, you are correct. How did you know?

I'm a huge Bryan Sutton fan. It's almost a full on man-crush, but don't tell my wife . I have seen some of your posts on his BB (I'm "David in Texas") and have listened to some of your sound clips.

I've been pretty clear on my Collings v. Bourgeois views over there. I agree with you on the neck completely. I have a recent Martin with a "fast neck" and I was having some chronic pain in my left hand. Since purchasing my D1A I play more and have virtually no pain, and my hand seems to naturally find the right place to be when moving from one position to another. I always thought the idea of one neck being more comfortable than another was silly. Especially when people would say that a thick and/or wider neck was more comfortable. It doesn't seem logical at first, but I'm a believer now. So much so that it will be as big a factor in my next guitar purchase as sound, and probably more important than overall appearance. Does that mean that I'm maturing as a guitar buyer!?!

Cody and I don't know each other, but some of you should check him out. He was the second place finisher in the 2002 National Flatpicking Competition and plays with a great band called Common Tyme. You can hear some clips of him and his bandmates at http://www.commontyme.com

Again, no financial interest. All other disclaimers apply, yadda, yadda, yadda. I just like to point others towards good music. Cody is the real deal.

Thanks for the very kind remarks emandnatesdad! You're going to make me blush.

So anyway, I took my new D2H to the local music store this afternoon where I give guitar lessons. I had the tech install the strap button according to the measurements I got from the Collings website. He measured right and drilled in the right spot, but the angle is off just a tad. That instantly made my heart sink. I dont think its a HUGE deal, but there is just a little bit of space where the strap button isnt flush with the guitar neck. Should I worry about that at all? I shouldve had the button installed when I bought the guitar, but I guess I was so happy getting the thing I didnt even think about the strap button. Now, that dealer is 3 hours away and I've got a gig tomorrow night, so I had it done locally. Hind sight is always 20/20.

You're welcome. Just telling it like I see it, or hear it as the case may be.

I'm not sure I understand what your saying regarding angle. Did the tech use a felt pad between the strap and the neck block? I would think that would take care of any gap cause by a slight angle issue.

Of primary concern is how solid the button is. A friend of mine dropped her guitar on stage. It hit right on the corner of the body/back at the lower bout and it virtually exploded. I think it would be worth a three hour drive, but I'm admittedly OCD when it comes to my guitars.

quote:

Originally posted by CodyFrost:
Its just the same lump in the throat feeling I get every time I have one put in. Nice to see I'm not the only one that feels this way!

Hey guys...I was a bit curt in my first response. Yeah, I feel pretty nervous too when installing strap buttons. I got a 5-minute crash course in strap button installation from a music store owner where I bought the button. Then I went home and installed it on my Taylor 510 per the Taylor spec. Everything went well. Then I installed one on my Taylor 710 and that went well. By the time I bought a Collings I was a pro and installed one on my D1A...not without fear and trembling though. I haven't worked up the nerve to install one on the CW!

The felt washer under the button should disguise any misalignment. You can get black felt washers from Elderly for $0.50 (plus S&H). The tech probably should have used one.

He did put a felt washer on there, but its not thick enough. I think I will order one of the thicker ones and it will be ok. It seems really solid.

quote:

Originally posted by emandnatesdad:You can hear some clips of [Cody] and his bandmates at http://www.commontyme.com

Cody,

Your picking sounds great! If only I could approach some semblance of that skill...

Eric,

FWIW, I didn't take it as curt.

When the tech did mine, he stood the guitar on the end pin, leaned the string side of the neck against his body, then reached across the guitar with his left hand to pick up a very large cordless drill. He raised that above the body and began the procedures. I seriously had to turn away. Solid as a rock though, and perfect alignment.