Kelly strap buttons question

[skullfunkerry]

While I was stripping down my CS Kelly for the airbrush guy the other day, I remembered something that I've been meaning to ask on here for a while:

Why is the rear strap button on the US Kellys not on the centre-line of the guitar? On my KE3 it was, and after I'd moved the front strap button to the middle of the heel it balanced perfectly.

The CS and the KE2 both have the rear button a few inches up from the centre-line, and even though the front button is in the middle of the heel they're neck-heavy.

And more importantly, apart from the trauma of drilling into my #1 prized possession, would there be anything bad about moving the rear strap button down to the centre-line?

[leftykingv2]

In my opinion Jackson probably does that because the top wing is very big on the Kelly. If you center the rear strap holder the back wing is going to be pretty far up into your armpit. Just my opinion though. They may do it for a completely different reason for all I know.

[warlok]

I don't know about USA's but on my Kelly XL, the front is on the back of the top point, not at the neck joint. And the rear is at the center line. I wish the rear was a few inches up from the center line because the body tends to want to fall forward as I'm playing. I don't really want to drill another hole so I wrap my strap around the front of the back wing and it holds it in place.. But to answer your last part, I think you would also have that problem if you move the rear button to the center line.

[skullfunkerry]

Yes, my KE3 used to tip forward slightly... I don't mind that though, as my arm holds it in place. And I don't mind the top wing being a bit higher, as I wear my guitar really low anyway. Think I might try drilling a new hole (gulp)

[toejam]

While I was stripping down my CS Kelly for the airbrush guy the other day

Your red CS Kelly? Are you getting the face graphic covered?

[Jayster]

And more importantly, apart from the trauma of drilling into my #1 prized possession, would there be anything bad about moving the rear strap button down to the centre-line?

It 'may' affect re-sale value, if it's a keeper then I wouldn't worry about it...

[BayRocker]

I don't know about USA's but on my Kelly XL, the front is on the back of the top point, not at the neck joint. And the rear is at the center line. I wish the rear was a few inches up from the center line because the body tends to want to fall forward as I'm playing. I don't really want to drill another hole so I wrap my strap around the front of the back wing and it holds it in place.. But to answer your last part, I think you would also have that problem if you move the rear button to the center line.

When I did my refin project on my Kelly XL, I moved the rear button up from center and filled the old hole. It did make a huge difference in the balance, and no longer falls forward. I used to do the strap across the body to stop the roll too...

[skullfunkerry]

It 'may' affect re-sale value, if it's a keeper then I wouldn't worry about it...

Ha, I definitely won't be selling it, so that's not an issue

Your red CS Kelly? Are you getting the face graphic covered?

Yes, and yes... further explanation shortly

[straycat]

Just add a strap button where you want and leave the original on there.That way you have options.

[toejam]

Yes, and yes... further explanation shortly

Interesting. I look forward to the explanation.

[Newc]

On the import KE I had (bolt on, but not the KE3, think it was a KX10D or some such), I moved the rear pin almost to the very tip of the wing. Basically run the screw through the pin then hold it against the outside edge of the body and starting at the tip, run it along the edge down the edge of the wing until you find the point where the tip of the screw would not poke through the front (where your arm crosses the body). That's where you mount the pin.
While this didn't fix the neck dive, it did put the bridge in a more comfortable position so that my picking hand was not over my opposing side and hitting an F was not so much work.

However, because the pin is angled, the strap will want to pull it straight, thus you get neck dive no matter where you put it.

Someone else on here some years ago mentioned mounting the pin on the back in one of the trem cavity cover holes as well, with the front pin behind the heel. IIRC he said it was like the guitar was seatbelted on, but it stayed wherever he put it.

[ALZ]

well imho it depends on the year ? iv'e seen , and owned a few that were in differnt spots , that said i belive the early ones were off set center , like the early randy rhoads models ? i am reffering to the 1983/84's rhoads !
i belive by 1985 the rhoads were all pretty much in the same spt , as for eary kellys,stars,firebirds, iv'e seen many that were placed differnt spots ? ide need more info , i also hope your project works out well, best wishs, see ya , alz / 2013 --rock on j.c.f. !