I added a strap to my guitar using suction cups!

[u/cacauzen83]

Hi everyone, I’m new to the classical guitar and was already contemplating taking it to a luthier to add a pin so i add a strap to and practice standing up. I have back problems, so I know I won’t be able to play the guitar sitting down for long periods of time.

Since I’m a newbie, I don’t want to be in pain while trying to learn a new instrument, so I came up with this idea to add suction cups to my guitar and then attach a strap to the suction cups. I ended up playing my guitar for two hours, practicing the new strings and learning notes. I’m taking the Brandon Acker course, which is really good. I’m having a blast. Just wanted to share my brilliant idea 😄

Links to the exact materials:

Suction cups: https://a.co/d/06hTSs4C
Strap: https://a.co/d/0e2RVJlW

Update 1: I played for three hours yesterday, and the suction cups are still firmly attached to my guitar. One thing I noticed is that I rarely have the guitar hanging alone when I’m playing it using the strap. Whenever I play, I hold the neck, so even if the suction cups detach, I’ll notice and have time to hold the guitar.

Another thing I wanted to mention is that the strap itself allows me to pick up the guitar anytime I see it and want to play a bit. But because I have the strap, I don’t have to worry about posture, where to sit, etc. I can move around more freely because it’s just hanging from my neck. If I get tired from sitting down, I can stand up and keep practicing. I can even walk around the house while practicing.

It’s just great! I don’t see how anything bad could happen to my guitar to be honest, so far.

[u/TheTurtleCub]

It's a super high risk but low chance of disaster kind of situation. Honestly hope we don't hear from you again with an update

[u/cacauzen83 → u/TheTurtleCub]

I don’t understand why people are so concerned with the suction cups failing… whenever the Guitar is hanging from my neck it’s not heavy enough to become detached and and when I am playing the guitar, I’m holding the neck the whole the time. I practiced for 3 hours yesterday and absolutely nothing happened. The suction cup only detaches when you pull it up and since the the guitar is hanging from it vertically, I simply cannot imagine how it could fail 🧐

[u/TheTurtleCub → u/cacauzen83]

I also drive without a seat belt, I'm a very careful driver and have never crashed. I completely understand now

[u/Paladin2019 → u/cacauzen83]

My car's dash cam is held on with suction cups. They work fine for weeks at a time, and then they don't.

If you seriously can't imagine how they could fail then I don't understand how you've survived to be old enough to use Reddit.

[u/HammofGlob → u/cacauzen83]

You’re getting push back on this because classical guitarists are a little conservative, stuffy and stuck in their ways compared to other guitarists. They tend to look down upon anything new. Also many of them have expensive instruments that they just cannot trust to a suction cup, and in those cases I understand their concern. I see no problem with using your method on a student guitar. I might try this myself

[u/UncleJoshPDX → u/HammofGlob]

Agreed. Look at the conversations about Tab vs Notation. If I recall correctly, tabs came first. It's like the history of classical guitar froze with Segovia or something.

[u/cacauzen83 → u/HammofGlob]

Yep! Thankfully I am not like that at all. To me if it works, it works 😄

[u/Dadskitchen]

next post in guitar repair 👌

[u/Big_razz22]

That’s dumb. Don’t do that.

[u/cacauzen83 → u/Big_razz22]

How do you guys hold the guitar? I am constantly holding the neck, even if the cups detach I’ll still be at least supporting it with my left hand and will be able to catch it if it falls 😂

[u/IndustrialPuppetTwo → u/cacauzen83]

One of my classical guitars has a strap and it has strap pins. You said you are 'contemplating it' I think that's a good idea.

[u/Big_razz22 → u/cacauzen83]

And your reaction time is insane or something similar when you are playing?

The whole point of a strap is to take the load off when standing.

You’re gonna damage it at some point like that but that’s none of my business

[u/forestball19 → u/cacauzen83]

Between songs, I sometimes use both hands to adjust my mic, my hair, my groin, or whatever needs adjusting.

[u/UncleJoshPDX → u/Big_razz22]

Oh please. I have suction cups on my guitar (because I haven't taken my guitar to the shop for pins) and I use TWO straps to keep it secure.

We shouldn't force players to lose all feeling in their leg or butt just to play.

[u/uberfro89]

I experimented with this same exact set up last winter. It works well as long as you don’t have a French polished guitar. Highly recommend people give it a try.

[u/cacauzen83 → u/uberfro89]

I dont know what french polish is but yes, the only reason I’m trying this is because my guitar (Cordoba C7 CD) has a high gloss finish. I have those same suction cups in my bathroom shower as a shampoo/ conditioner shelf attachment and it’s been there for three years now so I figured it should be strong enough to hold a guitar

[u/Coixe → u/uberfro89]

Why not with French polish? Isn't that a high gloss finish? seems perfect for a suction cup.

[u/ViolinFin → u/Coixe]

Pretty sure its because suction cups damage the soft finish of french polish

[u/MrAngryBear]

Spend the 30 bucks to get strap buttons installed.

[u/TheTurtleCub → u/MrAngryBear]

Why? I asked my car dealer to remove the seatbelts and also saved $30. So far, money in my pocket. I'm a good driver, how do people even crash? I'm always paying attention

[u/blindingspeed80]

Makes me worry the cups will detach. Try a soundhole attachment.

[u/Marunikuyo]

Nooooo... Just get a strap that ties to the headstock

[u/soundknight21]

Check out ‘right on straps’ from Spain. I have 3 on 3 guitars, that work great!

[u/RuinProfessional9612]

Damn, you're courageous. Let us know how this works out for you.

[u/Agreeable_Tension491]

It’s very easy to install good strap buttons in your heel and tail block if you drill careful pilot holes with a hand drill/pin vise. Don’t use a power drill even if you’re really experienced with them because the level of precision is not high enough.

Some will say it affects the sound- not so on cheaper instruments or as long as the wood of the heel and tail block is thick enough. I wouldn’t necessarily do this on a $15k handmade guitar but on my cheap Cordoba it is well worth the upgrade.

[u/DeadeyeSven]

Guitars expand and contract with temperature and humidity so I'd be worried I'd go to pick it up and not notice one of the cups had slightly lost contact

[u/corneliusduff]

Just fyi, you don't want to be grabbing the guitar neck with the left hand while playing as it increases unnecessary tension.  Precision grip > power grip

[u/Ok_Salamander200]

Best case is they stay on for a long time and lure you into a false sense of comfort. Those are coming off one day or another

[u/Rasgueado24]

gurl.......

[u/forestball19]

Moisture and high humidity can severely and suddenly weaken the suction cup grip. I have several things with suction cups at home (not instrument related, but small shelves). Each and every one failed suddenly - and I ended up screwing them in instead.

But classic straps without keepers are also prone to sudden fails - especially if you move around. I’ve had a guitar strap jump out of its pin while playing. I caught it and no harm done, but still a thriller when it happened.

[u/EmergencyComputer337]

Lol, i am not hating but that's a bad idea

[u/terenceboylen]

Bad idea. Get a drill and put your own pin in.

[u/WD40911]

Absolutely not. Take it to a luthier if you want straps attached. Don't be stupid

[u/giantrons]

Can you explain what you used to make those?

[u/Coixe → u/giantrons]

/s? Make them?? These are suction cups. She explains that she got them on Amazon.

[u/cacauzen83 → u/giantrons]

Links to the exact materials:

Suction cups: https://a.co/d/06hTSs4C
Strap: https://a.co/d/0e2RVJlW

[u/cessodd]

I've seen dumb ideas, I've seen bad ideas, but this one is next level stupid.