Flatiron A5 Jr Strap Button Installation

Hello, all! I was finally able to purchase a Flatiron. It's not an '84 Carlson like I'm still hoping for someday, but it's pretty great so far. It's a '96 A5 Jr. I have a strap button that I was going to install, but as soon as I got the drill out, I remembered that when it first arrived and I was giving it the once-over, I noted that the neck was bolted on. I wanted to see if anyone had experience with strap buttons and Flatirons of this era. I really want to get the strap button on, but don't want to hit metal with the drill. I appreciate any advice or experience.

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Great Flatiron! I wouldn’t install the strap button.

I had a '96 Gibson F-5G (Weber signed made in Bozeman, MT) that had 2 bolts installed through the end pin hole to stabilize the neck as the glue dried. The screws are not structural and can be removed (albeit not easily). Is that the "bolted on" you're talking about? Do you have an elevated fingerboard on this A5 Jr.? If so, tie a loop of leather under the fingerboard around the narrow upper bout and forget about drilling for a strap button. Works like a charm......or drill a hole and screw a strap button in.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

On instruments where the heel is less substantial for a strap button, I just tie a strip of leather behind the first row of tuners. Many A style straps have the leather exactly for this purpose.

Thanks! I definitely wanted to do my due diligence before installing.

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Originally Posted by lenf12

I had a '96 Gibson F-5G (Weber signed made in Bozeman, MT) that had 2 bolts installed through the end pin hole to stabilize the neck as the glue dried. The screws are not structural and can be removed (albeit not easily). Is that the "bolted on" you're talking about? Do you have an elevated fingerboard on this A5 Jr.? If so, tie a loop of leather under the fingerboard around the narrow upper bout and forget about drilling for a strap button. Works like a charm......or drill a hole and screw a strap button in.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

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The two screws are what I called "bolted on." That sounds like an interesting building strategy. Fingerboard is elevated, and for now, I do have an F style strap looped around. Worked pretty well at a jam last night.

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Originally Posted by Bill McCall

On instruments where the heel is less substantial for a strap button, I just tie a strip of leather behind the first row of tuners. Many A style straps have the leather exactly for this purpose.

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Thanks, Bill. I would say that this heel is somewhat less substantial that others I've seen. The screw with the strap button seemed to be too long for it.

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I've posted this before, but this is what I do. Don't know where the Fender pics came from, and can't seem to get rid of them. Sorry

I think I would shy away from a strap button on the heel of a mando because my hand would hit it when I played up higher on the neck. If you pull the endpin and look through that hole, you can probably figure the elevation of the screws and aim for in between them. Also, the screws may be only going into the tenon or dovetail and not through into the heel.

Brandon--I would ask Bruce Weber.

I've had a strap button on my 1991 Flatiron A5 Jr since I bought it new.

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Originally Posted by pops1

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I've posted this before, but this is what I do. Don't know where the Fender pics came from, and can't seem to get rid of them. Sorry

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Thanks! Never seen a strap connected to tuner post before. That's pretty cool!

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Originally Posted by Russ Jordan

Brandon--I would ask Bruce Weber.

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Thanks, Russ. I thought about that. Might go ahead and reach out. Could get good intel on the button but also on what the screw are about...

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Originally Posted by Dave Hulse

I've had a strap button on my 1991 Flatiron A5 Jr since I bought it new.

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That looks almost identical to my mando, Dave. That's a helpful look. It's placed closer to the fretboard that I would have expected.

I've found the combination of a Lakota Leathers mandolin strap and the short scale of my mandolins, mandola and ukulele obviate the need for any neck heel button. I just run one end of the strap under the strings above the nut and the other end goes to the tail block button/endpin/output jack as the case may be.