Cheap bass, schaller strap locks, and gutiar spins

Shroom · #1 07-15-2007, 12:25 PM

So, I recently switched from drums to bass in my ska band, and so I want to learn some stage tricks for our shows, including the guitar spin. My question is if my bass will be safe swinging around my neck without flying off into the face of a fan.

It's only an Ibanez jumpstart (IJXB190) bass, but it's my only baby for the time being. It's got a mahogany body, and I have a pair of Schaller straplocks I want to put in it. Does anyone with experience know if I can trust the wood and the straplocks to hold? Or do you have any tips on how to keep the screws from stripping the wood, etc?

JimmyM · #2 07-15-2007, 05:50 PM

No matter what you do with Straplocks, it's always a possibility that they could pull out and send your bass flying. But you can do things like glue them in with an epoxy-covered toothpick in the hole to help prevent them from pulling out.

SGT. Pepper · #3 07-15-2007, 05:56 PM

Learn how to play the bass first before you try to do stunts.

Johnny Crab · #4 07-15-2007, 05:59 PM

I use JB Weld-JB Kwik: http://jbweld.net/products/jbkwik.php
in the screw holes and on the screw threads using Dunlop StrapLocs.
Some "woods" allow the screw to work it's way loose if they aren't glued. Other glues tried came loose. JB Weld has not.

PS:
the first use of this was to glue screws that kept coming out back into a kitchen cabinet door.
THEN I knew it worked for work quite well.

Shroom · #5 07-15-2007, 06:30 PM

To Sgt. Peppers remark, I've been playing bass for 2 years and my skills are not only decent (at least enough for my ska band) but always improving. I figured after two years of playing and now having the opportunity to move around on stage and have some fun, I'm gonna make the most of it.

Anyway, to everyone else, I take it that gluing s the way to go? I was planning to actually use the toothpick method, but I don't know what glue to use. I've heard both wood glue and super glue work really well, and it sounds like epoxy and JB Weld are options too. I don't know if the latter will work though with my screws because they've got some sort of black coating.

SGT. Pepper · #6 07-15-2007, 06:52 PM

My bad on the remark, I apologise.
If you want to glue and screw use liquid nails, those straplocks will never come off with that stuff. Im not sure if they sell small tubes of it, but it is readily available in the large tube in which you need a caulking gun for.
The good thing is it's not expensive and any household, hardware, or lumberhouse carries it.

Pilgrim · #7 07-15-2007, 06:56 PM

If I were going to do this (never), I'd replace stock screws on those strap mounts with much longer ones...like at least 1.5 inches long. But pilot drill them so you don't split the wood.

0--+LoveBass · #8 07-15-2007, 06:59 PM

Dont worry about stage tricks. Practice playing
Id prefer a bassist who stood in one spot and held the groove to an acrobatic bassist who was grooveless

JimmyM · #9 07-15-2007, 08:54 PM

Not me. When I go to a show, I want to be entertained and I'll take a few occasional bad notes. Besides, Victor Wooten does it and I don't hear anyone complaining.

Shroom · #10 07-15-2007, 09:04 PM

Hmmm... Not sure if I want to buy enough of something to fill a caulking gun. Actually I'd prefer to use something I already have around the house (wood or super glue). And I still want to know what people think on toothpick method vs. glue and screw (sounds kinky

). As far as longer screws go, I think the screws that came with the strap locks are longer than the screws that are in there. I'll have to check up on it.

And as far as comments go on my stage theatrics: I'm in a ska band. In high school. I want to have fun. My band wants to have fun. Our audiences want to have fun, and the non-musicians in the audience (70%) don't usually notice, let alone give a crap, if I miss a note or two. And it just struck me that the tone of this last paragraph was kinda hostile. Sorry about that, I just meant to make a point.

John Herzog · #11 07-15-2007, 09:26 PM

I've never had the screws for a strap lock come off a bass, but I have had the strap end of the strap lock come loose from the strap. And I'm not even doing "tricks"

Shroom · #12 07-15-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiantSlacker

I've never had the screws for a strap lock come off a bass, but I have had the strap end of the strap lock come loose from the strap. And I'm not even doing "tricks"

Do you happen to know what type of strap locks they were?

ibz · #13 07-15-2007, 09:38 PM

No one seems to have given you a clear answer yet. Go ahead and use the schallers and install them with the toothpick method and that they're snug in there. The schallers have worked fine for me. Make sure you use a strap that doesn't catch or grip onto you're shirt too much too.

Anyway, best way to practice these stunts is with a high ceiling, lots of room in all directions, and a cheap bass... You seem to have all of these as you're disposal.

Have at it!

Justin Tuskey · #14 07-15-2007, 09:56 PM

hey man, a while back I started flipping my bass around, and I installed these strap locks, http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...rap?sku=364661
I dont flip my current bass now, but I have used dunlops, and schallers and they both stripped out, luckily only one time my bass flew off and recieved no damage (scared me to death though) I got this strap (look for a 3 inch version elsewhere) and it is the best. its kinda hard to see them really working but the clips REALLY DO hold, i promise you. basically there are 3 parts, to end pieces that screw right into your bass, and the middle strap that clips into the two end pieces. It holds better than the dunlop or schallers, and its only around $20 (which includes the freakin strap) i cant stress enough how well these clips hold, i was super super doubtful until i tried them. So theres my story, and i highly recommend them! they are made for flipping basses and guitars, that what I used them for. Get one. Also, the black one is the most slippery (its made of seatbelt material, and its great) check ebay too

John Herzog · #15 07-16-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shroom

Do you happen to know what type of strap locks they were?

I've had this happen with both Schaller and Dunlop. The problem sometimes is with the strap having too big of a hole and the strap lock slips out when there is too much play. Usually on the horn end. The schallers have nut you tighten up to attach them to the strap and I've had those come loose. The Dunlops use a locking ring but sometimes there is too much play. I fixed that with some big washers I bought from home depot. I've only dropped a bass once when this has happened and it fubared a tuning key, the other times I was able to hold on with my left hand.

JimmyM · #16 07-17-2007, 12:22 AM

I have always wondered why these straplock makers use screws that are smaller than the standard strap button screw. It makes no sense to me whatsoever.

BellBottomBlues · #17 07-17-2007, 12:32 PM

its a conspiracy to make people buy more screws

Shroom · #18 07-18-2007, 03:46 PM

Man I'm liking the amount of answers I'm getting here. Thanks to everyone who's given advice! It looks like I'm gonna go ahead with the straplocks, but I think I'm gonna use longer screws and bigger washers than what came with them.

pkr2 · #19 07-18-2007, 06:38 PM

I would be afraid to use super glue to glue the screw in. That stuff can seize what you're gluing so quickly that if it seized the screw threads before the screw was tightened all the way it might be hard to get the screw out or in all the way.

I have never used SG for that purpose, so I'm not speaking from actual experience. Just seems likely.

Preplanned stage antics aren't my bag, but to each his own.

Shroom · #20 07-19-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkr2

I would be afraid to use super glue to glue the screw in. That stuff can seize what you're gluing so quickly that if it seized the screw threads before the screw was tightened all the way it might be hard to get the screw out or in all the way.

I have never used SG for that purpose, so I'm not speaking from actual experience. Just seems likely.

Preplanned stage antics aren't my bag, but to each his own.

i was thinking of using the super glue for filling the spaces between the inside of the hole and the toothpicks that i'm gonna jam in the hole, ot for the screws.

and hey, its not totally preplanned. just a skill to pull out whenever theres an empty spot in a song