Naive question about replacing strap locks with a different brand

[dave64o]

I'm not sure if this is something to be concerned about but since this is the first time I'm messing around with installing my own strap locks I thought I'd ask just to be safe. I'm also not sure if this qualifiers as a "repair" for the "Hardware, Setup, and Repair" forum. If any mod thinks it would be better addressed in a different forum, please feel free to move it to the right one.

I bought my current Stingray about two years ago and the original owner installed a set of Dunlop Strap locks. He didn't include the strap attachments but he did leave the strap pins on. So I bought a set of Dunlop strap locks and put them on the strap. Things worked well. Then I got another strap for Christmas and I wanted to transfer the strap attachments to the new strap. However, while doing that I bent the clips that hold them on the strap and they didn't seem to be very secure. So I thought this would be the right opportunity to put on the Musicman strap locks that I had lying around.

When I removed Dunlop strap pins from the bass, I noticed that the screws they used were shorter but wider than the screws that came with the MM's. It seemed like the original screws would still work, so I installed the MM's using the screws that came with the Dunlop set. It seems secure, but since I never installed my own set of strap locks (all the used basses I bought already had them on) I wanted to be sure about this.

So my question is ... which is the right way to do things? 1) find a way to use the screws that came with the MM set because they're the ones that are supposed to be used, 2) re-use the Dunlop screws because they're the ones that fit in the screw holes that are now in the bass, or 3) either set of screws is fine as long as I get them to hold securely.

I'm hoping it's a stupid question and I'm worrying about nothing because the strap pins feel secure, but I thought I'd ask since I love this bass and I don't want to do anything that will increase the risk of dropping and damaging it.

Thanks.

[JustDavid]

Dave, I'd await word from someone who has experience with the EB straplocks before doing much.

But that sounds just like the issue folk experience when they go from 'normal' to Schaller straplocks. A routine fix is to 'rim' the hole with some toothpicks dipped in wood glue, then insert the new screw. That's one method; a Search for 'strap button' will likely lead you to others (along with sometimes spirited discussion about the relative pros & cons). You also might want to consider further tapping out the screw hole to the depth of the new screw.