Guitar Stuff

Ernie Ball Acoustic Guitar Strap Review: Simple, Affordable, and It Just Works

Written By: Andrew Siemon


If you play acoustic guitar sitting down and struggle to find a comfortable position, a good strap can quietly fix a lot of problems—especially if your guitar doesn’t have a front strap button on the body. That’s exactly the situation this Ernie Ball strap is designed for.

This is a straightforward, budget-friendly acoustic strap that does one crucial thing really well: it lets you attach the strap to the headstock and sit or stand comfortably without fighting the guitar.

You can grab one on Amazon if you’re interested.


Overview / First Impressions

The Ernie Ball acoustic strap is a no-nonsense, functional piece of gear:

  • It’s long enough to work for pretty much any body size.
  • It adjusts easily and stays where you set it.
  • It’s designed to attach at:
    • The headstock (for acoustics without a front strap button), and
    • The usual strap button at the bottom of the guitar.

In use, it does exactly what you need it to do: holds the guitar in a comfortable playing position, especially when you’re seated.


Headstock Attachment: The Key Feature

The main thing most acoustic players want to know: can this strap wrap around the headstock securely?

Yes—very easily.

Here’s how it works:

  • 1. Position the front end
    The small strap piece goes under the strings and above the nut, right behind the nut on the headstock.
  • 2. Wrap and fasten
    You bring the strap around the back of the headstock, then button it up using the built-in fastening system (a simple, secure button-style connection).
  • 3. Attach the rear end
    The other end of the strap attaches to the bottom strap button on your acoustic guitar, just like any standard strap.

This setup is ideal for:

  • Guitars without a neck or upper-bout strap button.
  • Players who prefer the traditional headstock-hanging acoustic feel.
  • Anyone who wants a comfortable seated playing position without the guitar slipping away.

Comfort, Fit & Adjustability

The strap length is adjustable to around the halfway point shown in the video, which is where many players find their sweet spot. In practice:

  • It will work for almost any height or body type.
  • You can raise or lower the guitar to:
    • Sit comfortably with proper posture.
    • Stand and play without hunching over.

Once set, the strap holds its position well and doesn’t require constant readjustment.


Build Quality & Value

For the price, the strap performs exactly as you’d hope:

  • Sturdy enough for regular use.
  • Simple design—no unnecessary bells and whistles.
  • Excellent value considering the low cost.

From a working guitarist’s perspective, this is the kind of strap you buy, put on your guitar, and then stop thinking about—because it just works.


Limitations / Things to Know

A few practical notes:

  • This is a functional, budget strap, not a luxury leather piece.
  • It’s designed primarily with acoustic players in mind, especially those:
    • Without a front strap button.
    • Who prefer headstock attachment.

If you’re after fancy aesthetics or premium materials, this isn’t that. If you just want something that works reliably and doesn’t get in the way, it’s spot on.


Final Thoughts

If you need to change the way you sit with your acoustic guitar and want a simple, inexpensive solution, the Ernie Ball acoustic strap is a solid choice. It:

  • Attaches cleanly to the headstock and bottom strap button.
  • Fits a wide range of players.
  • Delivers great functionality for the cost.

No real complaints—just a practical, dependable strap that solves a common acoustic guitar problem.


Resources & Further Study

If you’re looking for something musical to work on once your guitar is comfortably strapped on, check out this fretboard memorization cheat sheet:

Fretboard Cheat Sheet (Triads in Every Key)

It covers:

  • Major and minor triads in every key.
  • Octave mapping and other visualization techniques.
  • How to use triads to:
    • Memorize the fretboard.
    • Improvise in multiple keys.
    • Understand the harmonic foundation behind chords.

You can also join the associated forum community to talk guitar, music, and related topics with other players.

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Hey — I’m Andrew Siemon, the creator behind Andrew Reviews Everything. I’ve been a guitarist for years, and along the way I’ve gone deep into the world of music gear, recording, and production — not just the fun creative side, but the real-world side too: what gear is actually worth buying, what’s overrated, and what’s just marketing.