Crappy Warwick strap locks

Mezmeron · #1 11-14-2007, 09:45 AM

Hey everyone, I'm new

Just getting annoyed with the rubbish recessed strap locks you get in old Warwicks. I have a Corvette, and every other gig the bloody thing falls off. I'm on about the 3rd or 4th set of Dunlop strap locks, but they seem to wear down after an inordinarily short time. I swear the next time this happens there is going to be some proper rock n roll axe smashing on stage!

Do any of you knowlegable peeps have any suggestions for alternatives? Otherwise there will be bass homicide...

Cheers and have a good day

Neil

stabbicus · #2 11-14-2007, 02:03 PM

Sell your bass to me?

From your post, I am assuming you are using a combination of Dunlop straploks on your strap, and Warwick strap locks in your bass? If so, I can see how the Dunlops would wear out more frequently. My suggestion, try out the Warwick strap buttons on your strap. You can buy them...

http://shop.warwick.de/index.php/cat...rity-Lock.html

Mezmeron · #3 11-14-2007, 06:21 PM

Yeah I got some on the way. I first had Warwick locks but they went down, hence the Dunlop fiasco. Which, incidentally, seem to be harder and harder to find, presumably because they are of poor quality.

Thanks for the reply

joelc1319 · #4 12-06-2007, 01:22 PM

I have a 4-string Corvette. Strap buttons hollowed out within the first year of ownership (moreso on the one closer to the neck). Nearly lost my bass to the floor. I have three words for you:

Schaller Strap Locks.

Less than $20 bucks. Best purchase I ever made. They actually hold the button in a sort of cradle of metal type thing, and they also have a spring-loaded pole piece that goes into the button (similar to Dunlop). You'll have to unscrew the old buttons and put the new ones in, but I managed to use the old screws. Also remember to save the 2 rubber washers as you'll need them as well.

Simply put, Warwicks in general are too heavy for Dunlop StrapLocks or even the ones that come stock on Warwicks. Schaller is the way to go.

Hope this helps!

joelc1319 · #5 12-06-2007, 01:24 PM

Ah very sorry...I misread your post. I thought you were having problems with the newer Strap Locks on Warwicks (they're bad as well haha). Maybe Warwick will redesign them for future basses, we can only hope...

TrevorOfDoom · #6 12-06-2007, 01:27 PM

to be fair, i've never had a problem with my Dunlop's. and i'm not nice to my basses onstage.

but i can understand the whole Dunlop/warwick no compatability issue. my condolences.

if you do go with Schaller, use the screws that you already have. Schaller's come with screws that are smaller than the standard, therefore pop out regularly. most guys use the toothpick repair method, but that too only works for so long.

jasonbraatz · #7 12-06-2007, 01:30 PM

Yup, I had this issue all the time on my older Warwicks, and all of them had the recessed straplocks so I couldn't switch to Schallers.

Every time I complained to Dana B Goods about it they sent me a brand new set of inserts, which seemed to take care of the problem for a year or so. I'd shoot them an email.

joelc1319 · #8 12-06-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevorOfDoom

to be fair, i've never had a problem with my Dunlop's. and i'm not nice to my basses onstage.

Oh I agree completely. My guitarist has had his for over a year and he's a maniac on stage too. It's unfortunate they don't work on Warwicks though, they're a great buy otherwise.

Peabodius · #9 11-26-2008, 03:52 PM

Having a similar problem with the old Warwick strap locks. I'd like to just fill in the holes and put a set of Schallers on it. Any suggestions on how to fill in the hole and safely anchor the new strap locks? My first thought is some wood filler and some really long screws to anchor deeper into the body, however I'm totally open to criticism and second opinions.

Showdown · #10 11-27-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mezmeron

Yeah I got some on the way. I first had Warwick locks but they went down, hence the Dunlop fiasco. Which, incidentally, seem to be harder and harder to find, presumably because they are of poor quality.

I've used Dunlop straplocks on all my basses (currently 22) for 15 years with no problems at all. The only thing is you have to make sure they are locked tightly by pulling on them after inserting them. They work great. Not poor quality at all. They may not work well with the Warwick straplock insert, but that is not because of poor quality.

Showdown · #11 11-27-2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peabodius

Having a similar problem with the old Warwick strap locks. I'd like to just fill in the holes and put a set of Schallers on it. Any suggestions on how to fill in the hole and safely anchor the new strap locks? My first thought is some wood filler and some really long screws to anchor deeper into the body, however I'm totally open to criticism and second opinions.

Wood filler would be a bad idea. Fill the hole with a hardwood dowel of the same size (of the same wood if possible, or stain a lighter wood to match), glued in with wood glue. Then drill a new hole in it.

Rick Auricchio · #12 11-27-2008, 10:53 AM

I used Schallers since the late 70s, and my Pedulla Buzz came with 'em in 1991. But they can squeak if the strap is slack (as when sitting down). I had to play a re-take in the studio one time because of it. Switched to Dunlops somewhere along the way.

My Dunlop experience is virtually identical to Showdown's. Make sure they're locked and you're good.

JustDavid · #13 11-27-2008, 11:14 AM

I'd fill the hole with toothpicks after they've been dipped in wood glue (wipe off the excess around the hole when done. Once dry, trim them to the surface. Then drill a pilot hole for the screw (about 1/2 the outside diameter of the screw's threads) to the proper depth. Then screw the straplock or strap button on.

Anyone had a repair like that last a short time?

Showdown · #14 11-27-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustDavid

I'd fill the hole with toothpicks after they've been dipped in wood glue (wipe off the excess around the hole when done. Once dry, trim them to the surface. Then drill a pilot hole for the screw (about 1/2 the outside diameter of the screw's threads) to the proper depth. Then screw the straplock or strap button on.

Anyone had a repair like that last a short time?

That works good for regular screw holes, but the early Warwicks had the recessed straplock insert, which is a much bigger hole (the Dunlop version is 3/8", I assume the Warwick is about the same, but metric). It would take a lot of toothpicks, and probably wouldn't be very stable. A hardwood dowel of the appropriate size would be better.

JustDavid · #15 11-27-2008, 01:07 PM

3/8" is a LOT of toothpicks!!

I stand corrected; a hardwood dowel IS the way to go.

blubass · #16 11-27-2008, 01:36 PM

I haven't had that happen with my Warwick yet, but I have had the strap button break inside. The groove inside wore out quickly, so the ball bearings don't lock inside. Sounds like Warwick has more than one problem with strap lock design!

ipodeloc · #17 03-24-2010, 11:30 AM

I had a Warwick FNA Jazzman, with standard strap attach, not locking.

The screws that were in the bass didn't pass through the Schaller straplock : head to much large, "screw" a little to large.
I bought some screw the same size a the warwick, and filed their head so they can enter into the strap. Not difficult at all.
Then I had to force a little to help them go into the strap hole, but nothing very destructive for the strap or the screw!

For information, I used 4,5mm diameter and 35mm long screws....

If it helps someone...