Schaller Strap Lock Failure (POS!)

[capnsandwich]

I agree with everyone that said Dunlops!

[AciDBatH666]

Originally Posted by crack-boom

DiMarzio Cliplock Straps

+1

I've got 4 sets of these, and I ordered my 5th for my project bass yesterday. Started using them on guitar 15 years ago. NEVER had a single problem with them.

[PhatBasstard]

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

I agree with everyone that said Dunlops suck!

Fixed it for ya'.

Actually, since the actual stupidity of the nay-sayers that misinstalled they're Schallers was brought out, even the OP is scared to show his face again.

They're probably too embarassed as their whole argument against Schallers was based upon misimplementation.

You have to be smarter than the equipment.

RE: Loose screws.
That's a screw size/hole in the wood problem, not a strap lock issue.

[MVE]

I've used both for many years. I think the dunlops are great if they are custom installed and recessed the way Alembic uses them.

But as a direct replacement for standard strap buttons, I would strongly recommend the schallers.

Dunlops (when used as direct replacements) push your strap 3/4 of an inch away from the point they should be connected to. This is not only kinda uncomfortable, but it creates a greater turning moment at the connection and much more tension stress on the screws that go into the instrument.

PS: LOL on all the posts (and especially the article) about using the schallers upside down. I guess we all do stupid things from time to time.

[okcrum]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Are You being serious???

Why on earth would someone do that?

Regards
Sam

"He's an idiot. Comes from upbringing. His parents are probably idiots too."
Sam Baines, Back to the Future

[bobunit]

Originally Posted by rojo412

I think it's fair to say that any metal strap locking system used should get some sort of lubrication applied to it. I am a bike mechanic by trade, so I always apply some sort of lube to anything that has unnecessary friction going on.
Tri Flow, Graphite, Gun oil, any of those can make a huge difference in performance of a strap lock.
The dunlops won't squeak and are less likely to lose a ball bearing, the schallers won't unscrew or cut through themselves.

+1
The pins in the Schallers can stick and a little lubricant can go a long way. The key with any parts of your instrument is periodic maintenance. Unless your straplocks are Ron Popeil branded, set it and forget it doesn't apply.

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by rkingly

I use rubber washers either from a hardware store or Grolsch
beer bottles. Never had a failure.

Ditto

[JSK5String]

Originally Posted by Stilettoprefer

If you installed the part that stays on the strap properly the pin shouldn't have any wear on it.... Should have the open end facing up when the strap is on. And actually with it like that, there is no pressure on the pin at all..... Just the closed end of the lock. I use schallers on all of my guitars and basses and use the same strap on all of them (never changed the parts that stay on the strap because they have never broken!)

+1 I have Schallers on both of my basses and I use the same strap for both. I put epoxy on the nut to keep it from coming loose and have had zero failures or problems since I installed them on the strap over 15 years ago. I'm a strong Schaller advocate...

[fenderhutz]

I mean seriously. Who wouldn't think it helps support the bass?

I have seen Dunlops fail and a nice 80's Les Paul hit the floor when that little 1/32 bead fails. You have no recourse. When a Schaller fails, it just sits in the horseshoe. Unless the user failed and installed the hooks wrong.

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by roberthabraken

LOL... I was looking for Schaller strap pin reviews and such, for my new build. I found this thread on TB. And directly after it I found this review:

http://www.theopeningset.com/music-a...r-strap-locks/

I didn't read it yet. Just look at the pictures...

"Dumber than a bag of hammers." - Ulysses Everett McGill

Fortunately one of the comments corrects the writers' error.

[Big B.]

Love my schallers. Bought one straplock, a good strap and a handful of schaller buttons ten years ago. Every bass that comes in the house gets straplock buttons first thing. I tend to have between 5 - 10 instruments at a time and I like being able to have one strap that I find comfortable and can be used for all my basses. As far as sawing through the button, damn guys thats a lot of jumping around!

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by PhatBasstard

Fixed it for ya'.

Actually, since the actual stupidity of the nay-sayers that misinstalled they're Schallers was brought out, even the OP is scared to show his face again.

They're probably too embarassed as their whole argument against Schallers was based upon misimplementation.

You have to be smarter than the equipment.

RE: Loose screws.
That's a screw size/hole in the wood problem, not a strap lock issue.

I still like Dunlops over Schallers though. That's what makes the world go round, differences of opinion. Good luck with your Schallers.

[boynamedsuse]

Originally Posted by roberthabraken

LOL... I was looking for Schaller strap pin reviews and such, for my new build. I found this thread on TB. And directly after it I found this review:

http://www.theopeningset.com/music-a...r-strap-locks/

I didn't read it yet. Just look at the pictures...

I can almost understand "Joe Average" putting it on upside-down (or sideways, for that matter), but to publish a review like that on the Internet--wow.

[roberthabraken]

Originally Posted by Big B.

Love my schallers. Bought one straplock, a good strap and a handful of schaller buttons ten years ago. Every bass that comes in the house gets straplock buttons first thing. I tend to have between 5 - 10 instruments at a time and I like being able to have one strap that I find comfortable and can be used for all my basses. As far as sawing through the button, damn guys thats a lot of jumping around!

So your mad scientist fretless 5 competition bass will also receive Schaller strap locks? If that's the case, I'm almost certain of doing it myself too on my next build.

Originally Posted by boynamedsuse

I can almost understand "Joe Average" putting it on upside-down (or sideways, for that matter), but to publish a review like that on the Internet--wow.

Funny, isn't it?

[mikecd1]

I've been using Schallers for many years like a lot of the folks and am not ashamed to admit that at some point I had them on wrong. The problem I have had with them over the years is that the chrome plating sometimes wears away on some I've had which can cause a little slippage. I think the nickel ones look better and wear better. I'd bet it was the chromes that chipped away a little bit. Used the dunlops in the 70's, but agree that they pulled my bass too far away and that is part of what attracted me to the Schallers along with how they fit my Fenders into the case. I even have them on my Hofner and love 'em. Whatever works for the player, but that post about pulling the strap away from the bass was key with the Dunlops and I felt it. Schallers all the way!

[Killcram187]

I've had dunlop fail on me and I've used schaller without fail. But I believe the most foolproof ones are the marvel strap locks. But the BEST is the dimarzio clip lock

[Kerry_King]

If you want some that will not fail, check out LOXX. Guitar Center carries them. They are made in Germany. They were invented in the 1920's for the automotive/marine industries, and have sold 100 MILLION sets. They were designed for heavy use and weathering, so they will not rust. Here's the Schaller/LOXX comparison:

Product Comparison - LOXX USA

Read it carefully as there are many details.

[PhatBasstard]

Originally Posted by Kerry_King

If you want some that will not fail, check out LOXX. Guitar Center carries them. They are made in Germany. They were invented in the 1920's for the automotive/marine industries, and have sold 100 MILLION sets. They were designed for heavy use and weathering, so they will not rust. Here's the Schaller/LOXX comparison:

Product Comparison - LOXX USA

Read it carefully as there are many details.

They might be good, but all the "issues" they try to bring up about the Schallers is crap marketing. One of my sets of Schallers, that is still in use, is about 20 years old, still basically Gold and has given me none of the issues this article claims are problems. Same with my other in use set and spare set. They're both 10 years old.

Been playing Spectors all that time and they aren't light.

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by rojo412

Dunlop.

+1

[Kerry_King]

Originally Posted by PhatBasstard

They might be good, but all the "issues" they try to bring up about the Schallers is crap marketing. One of my sets of Schallers, that is still in use, is about 20 years old, still basically Gold and has given me none of the issues this article claims are problems. Same with my other in use set and spare set. They're both 10 years old.

Been playing Spectors all that time and they aren't light.

That's awesome that you haven't had any problems. I'm not knocking Schallers. I used them for 10+ years on ALL of my guitars. Personally I didn't have any outright failures with my Schallers either. However I did have to make sure they were tight regularly, which was inconvenient at worst.

That being said, anecdotal evidence is not solid evidence. Of course there will always be people who have never had any issues or problems. The strap lock market is in the hundreds of thousands/millions of people. One person not having problems is great for them, but means very little in the long run.

The comparison was made because real people expressed their concerns about their current strap locks. It wasn't just made up out of the blue. Also, each of the things addressed are problems you hear people talking about all the time. I could probably reference threads on this board where people talk about the same issues that are in the LOXX comparison.

Oh yeah, and to further address that the comparison is not "crap marketing", look at picture 5 of the LOXX/Schaller comparison to see why the thread starter had his problem!