Strap Button Question

[crazy4ukes]

Hi All! This may have been asked and answered, but would I be de-valuing a solid koa Hawaiian ukulele if I had strap buttons installed?

 

[Oldscruggsfan]

Hi All! This may have been asked and answered, but would I be de-valuing a solid koa Hawaiian ukulele if I had strap buttons installed?

No.
…is the short answer, but that would be unnecessarily curt. If your only reason for buying the uke was to resell it, you could possibly devalue it.
If you bought it to play, and using a strap makes playing easier or prevents you from dropping & damaging it (which will definitely devalue it), by all means, install at least one strap button at the butt of the body, then buy a strap that can loop under the C and E strings just past the G and A tuner posts.

 

[kkimura]

Don’t think of it as possibly devaluing a Hawaiian ukulele but rather greatly increasing the value of your strap buttons.

 

[man0a]

The base model Hawaiian ukuleles are meant to be played, so go ahead and play it. Use a strap if you have to. The deluxe model ukuleles (Kamaka HF-3D, Koaloha black label, etc) have some collector value, so the value may drop if you drill them, but you have to balance that with your enjoyment from playing the ukulele.

 

[Wiggy]

If I were ever to consider its resale value, I would never play the instrument. You could start with just a bout button...

 

[crazy4ukes]

Thank you @Oldscruggsfan , @kkimura @man0a , @Wiggy !

My question comes from hardly ever seeing the high-end ukuleles come with buttons as a standard feature, and few "expert" players using a strap. I play better with a strap, and will want to add the buttons. I've tried the tie on the neck and the soundhole straps, and they just don't fit the bill for me, so it will have to be bout and neck buttons.

I also play guitar and I know that some instruments can be extremely devalued by adding "aftermarket" strap buttons. I would only worry if I might want to resell to upgrade...

 

[richntacoma]

I always play with a strap, but not one that requires a button. I have rarely bought a high end uke with a strap button, and see it almost as a defect. I know this is a major IMHO, but I know others feel the same.

 

[bilbo56]

I have two buttons on all my ukuleles, including my KoAhloa. Many Pros do use straps.

 

[ripock]

My kamaka HF-3 came with strap buttons (because I requested it). If you're looking to realize profits from your investments, I suggest getting into real estate rather than ukuleles.

 

[Patty]

There are stunning strap buttons out there. You don’t have to get the ugly chrome ones. Look for nice woods ones, like Waverly.

 

[badhabits]

Look for small ones made for ukulele... last time I got some they were gotohs, I believe, from the Strum shop in Sacramento/Roseville. Oh and somebody pass me the popcorn...

 

[merlin666]

Thank you @Oldscruggsfan , @kkimura @man0a , @Wiggy !

My question comes from hardly ever seeing the high-end ukuleles come with buttons as a standard feature, and few "expert" players using a strap. I play better with a strap, and will want to add the buttons. I've tried the tie on the neck and the soundhole straps, and they just don't fit the bill for me, so it will have to be bout and neck buttons.

I also play guitar and I know that some instruments can be extremely devalued by adding "aftermarket" strap buttons. I would only worry if I might want to resell to upgrade...

You are correct with your observations and concerns. But you have to do what you have to do after exploring all options, and potential value and aesthetic loss are secondary to ability to play and enjoyment.

 

[Joyful Uke]

Hi All! This may have been asked and answered, but would I be de-valuing a solid koa Hawaiian ukulele if I had strap buttons installed?

The strap button would ADD value to me, because then I wouldn't have to install one. I always use a strap.
But to others it would devalue the ukulele. So there is no single answer.

The important thing, as noted by others, is to play the ukulele and if a strap button helps you enjoy playing more, add that strap button.

 

[Oldscruggsfan]

Pass me some o’ that popcorn, @badhabits!

 

[UkingViking]

On a <$500 ukulele, I would think that adding strap buttons might even increase that value. I would assume that people buy them more to play than to collect, and since the button makes them easier to play, better. The price of nice buttons and the hassle to install them would be nice to save.

On an expensive Hawaiian build ukulele, it probably reduces resale value a bit. Those who want them will find the effort to install them themselves, since that allready spent a lot on the ukulele, and those who dont will see more collectability ruined. The more expensive, the more people will want to honour it by not modifying it.

That being said - if adding strap buttons take $50 to $100 off the resale value - should that stop you? You allready accepted the loss which is the difference between new price and second hand price. Probably a bigger loss. And you will spend money on the buttons themselves. It would be silly to deny yourself the ability to play it the way you like best, unless you are allready thinking of selling.

Edit:
Perhaps a bit clearer on the difference between cheap and expensive ukuleles:
I think that if the buyer likes strap buttons, having them preinstalled will have a value that is not relative to the price of the ukulele.
If the buyer dislikes strap buttons, they will feel that the value of the ukulele will go down with a percentage, e.g. 10%. So the more expensive, the more the percentage will count. Weight it with the number of potential buyers who will be pro/con buttons at a price level, and I think it makes sense that it is more safe to put them on moderate priced ukes.

 

[crazy4ukes]

On a <$500 ukulele, I would think that adding strap buttons might even increase that value. I would assume that people buy them more to play than to collect, and since the button makes them easier to play, better. The price of nice buttons and the hassle to install them would be nice to save.

On an expensive Hawaiian build ukulele, it probably reduces resale value a bit. Those who want them will find the effort to install them themselves, since that allready spent a lot on the ukulele, and those who dont will see more collectability ruined. The more expensive, the more people will want to honour it by not modifying it.

That being said - if adding strap buttons take $50 to $100 off the resale value - should that stop you? You allready accepted the loss which is the difference between new price and second hand price. Probably a bigger loss. And you will spend money on the buttons themselves. It would be silly to deny yourself the ability to play it the way you like best, unless you are allready thinking of selling.

Edit:
Perhaps a bit clearer on the difference between cheap and expensive ukuleles:
I think that if the buyer likes strap buttons, having them preinstalled will have a value that is not relative to the price of the ukulele.
If the buyer dislikes strap buttons, they will feel that the value of the ukulele will go down with a percentage, e.g. 10%. So the more expensive, the more the percentage will count. Weight it with the number of potential buyers who will be pro/con buttons at a price level, and I think it makes sense that it is more safe to put them on moderate priced ukes.

Thank you for your very detailed reply @UkingViking ! Your thoughts are much appreciated.

 

[Woodsy]

It's like putting a pool in at your house. Some prospective buyers will like it and some will be turned off. If it floats your boat in the meantime go with it, because it's likely to sell either way. I'd rather be happy with what I have than worrying about resale years down the road.

 

[Oldscruggsfan]

TOPICAL LIMERICK:
https://forum.ukuleleunderground.co...other-fretted-instruments.158026/post-2396585

 

[ailevin]

What is this resell ukulele concept of which you speak?

 

[Cadia]

In my opinion, no.