Calling all Petersen OM/zouk/cittern owners

[Rob Meyer]

I am a happy owner of Petersen OM and for years I have used a strap that is attached on one end to the head stock (other end on end block, obviously). I recently acquired a Trillium OM with a strap button on the heel and I prefer the balance of the instrument with the strap attached there. As my Petersen OM does not have a strap button on the heel I was wondering if any of you have one on the heel, especially those of you that might have had it installed by Bill Petersen, and where you have it positioned. I am most interested in knowing if there is anything about the instrument construction that would restrict the position of a button. My preference would be to place it midway up the treble side of the heel. Any reason that would not work? I would ask Bill, but he seems to have retired (website is gone) and I have no contact information.

[Rob Zamites]

Rob,

There would likely not be an issue, if you're careful and pre drill the hole for the threads. If you have trepidation about the process, get thee to a luthier.

[Bertram Henze]

Not a Petersen owner here, but generally the heel of the neck is the most massive wood block on the instrument. A tiny pre-drilled hole in there (listen to Rob) and the short button screw cannot possibly do any structural damage there. I have placed mine on my Fylde OM heel, approx. 45 degrees to the treble side (visible here), without problems.

[Sweetpea44]

My Petersen zouk does not have a strap button .... would need to check the cittern. Don't know if this is still active, but here's Petersen's email from a few years prior:

zouki254@cox.net

[jvkelly]

I have a Petersen OM (as well as a Trillium) and had a local Chicago guitar install a strap button on the lower heel. This was about four years ago and there have been no problems.

[bbrown]

I have a Petersen OM and Bill installed the heel strap button. Not sure how to post a pic of it here.

[Dan Hulse]

I have a 15 year old Petersen level 2. The strap button on the heel is in the same location as Bertram's. I don't know if it is original, but it works. The only caveat is that since the zouk is neck heavy it helps to have a wide non-slip strap.

[mcsulla]

I have a Petersen OM where Bill installed the strap button. Here is a pic.

[Rob Meyer]

Thank you, thank you, mcsulla! Exactly what I needed.

[mcsulla]

No problem at all, happy to help.

[dulcillini]

Yes. Put it there. I even did the unpardonable by putting a strap button in the same location on an "F" style. Guess what, it works better than the strap through the scroll and it doesn't wear the finish off the scroll ! Follow the advice above by using a short screw for the button. The screw that comes with some buttons is too long.

[Bertram Henze]

I even did the unpardonable by putting a strap button in the same location on an "F" style. Guess what, it works better than the strap through the scroll and it doesn't wear the finish off the scroll !

Exactly what I would do if I had an F-style. Better balance and no spoiling of the stylistic element you've paid so much money for.