Straplocks

HELLonWheels187 · #1 01-05-2007, 03:42 PM

I put dunlop straplocks on my P-bass a while a go and i didn't really know what i was doing when i put them so I got frustrated when the screws that came with locks were to small for my bass and the orginal screws wouldn't fit in the straplock, so i took the screw that came with it and i glued it in because thats what the guy at the store told me to do when i tried to return them, so i glued it in on the upper horn but on the lower horn for some reason the smaller screw fit and has stayed there until yesterday. Now I don't want to glue in the screw what alternatives do i have?

Brandon

tbrannon · #2 01-05-2007, 03:47 PM

I've always taken a small wooden dowel or a larger diameter toothpick and filled the hole with that.

find a dowel or toothpick that will fit in the hole- glue that sucker in there and let it dry for a few days- then screw you straplock in there.

I'm sure you'll get a few more refined options, but this has always worked for me. Just make sure you're using a quality wood glue so that you get a good bond between the bass and whatever you decide to fill the hole with.

Good luck.

tplyons · #3 01-05-2007, 03:48 PM

Insert toothpicks and woodglue into the hole... wait 24 hours, trim the toothpicks flush to the bass and install the screw. Simple as pie.

Ampeg SVT · #4 01-05-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

Insert toothpicks and woodglue into the hole... wait 24 hours, trim the toothpicks flush to the bass and install the screw. Simple as pie.

i need to do this as my schallers ripped out of my stingray...wow never buying scallers again...dunlop is the way to go for me

tbrannon · #5 01-05-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ampeg SVT

i need to do this as my schallers ripped out of my stingray...wow never buying scallers again...dunlop is the way to go for me

I'm exactly the opposite- I've had Schallers for years with no problems, but had 2 sets of dunlops fail on me. Whatever floats 'yer boat.

vindy500 · #6 01-05-2007, 04:38 PM

do you guys wait with your tooth picks, i just screw mine in straight away....

tbrannon · #7 01-05-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindy500

do you guys wait with your tooth picks, i just screw mine in straight away....

I always wait for the glue to dry- i guess your way would work equally as well so long as you resist the temptation to strap up and play for a few days while the glue is still wet.

vindy500 · #8 01-05-2007, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbrannon

I always wait for the glue to dry- i guess your way would work equally as well so long as you resist the temptation to strap up and play for a few days while the glue is still wet.

hmm, nope

i had to do it at a camp once, played 2 hours later....

Rattman · #9 01-05-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ampeg SVT

i need to do this as my schallers ripped out of my stingray...wow never buying scallers again...dunlop is the way to go for me

May I add that I decided to put Carvin straplocks on all four of my axes several years ago. There were no modifications needed, and the screws that came with them fit the stock screw-holes fine. They were just perhaps 3mm longer.

The other thing I discovered was that the knob mounted on the instrument can also be used with any strap, just takes a little gentle manuvering to get the leather to fit over it.

tbrannon · #10 01-05-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindy500

hmm, nope

i had to do it at a camp once, played 2 hours later....

was that at a band camp by any chance?

I think you probably got lucky on that one- letting the glue dry would seem to be an integral part of the process.

Magneto · #11 01-05-2007, 05:25 PM

Something that has always worked well for me with wood is superglue. Yeah.. It wicks into wood very well and dries fast. Some thin s-glue can wick into wood threads and harden them, keeping them from stripping out. With some toothpicks, I'd probably use some medium or not-too-thick gel or something, but any of it will work.

Mag...

Sumosized · #12 01-05-2007, 11:46 PM

I use a medium gel superglue on my wood lathe. I know this is not about my bass, but I spin some unbalanced wood at like 2000rpms just 15 min. after using the super glue. I would think a bass and some toothpicks would be fine pretty fast.

BTW, my Schallers didn't fit either. The screw ole on the body was too big. I bought the next size larger wood screw (in black) and drilled out the hole on the knob to make the new screw fit. Worked great.

Johnny Crab · #13 01-06-2007, 12:58 AM

Basses like the avatar shown don't like hitting the floor.
Since some basses SEEM to have "less strong" wood than others....JB Weld gets put in the screw holes and a bit on the tips before screwing Dunlop Straploc screws in. Yes, the screws get put THROUGH the Straploc button BEFORE JB Weld is applied...

Ain't coming out and ain't no collector...buy 'em to play 'em or they go to eBay.

HELLonWheels187 · #14 01-06-2007, 01:47 PM

I have Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Glue at my house will that work sufficiently?

lonotes · #15 01-06-2007, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HELLonWheels187

I have Elmer's Carpenter's Wood Glue at my house will that work sufficiently?

Yes.

ogrossman · #16 01-06-2007, 02:31 PM

The repair guy that I take my basses to (also a bass player) says he doesn't use straplocs anymore because the screws are always coming loose. I think it's because the strap pulls on the screw so far away from the bass body (about 1/2 inch for Schallers and 3/4 inch for Dunlops). He convinced me to go to a strap button with "wings" to prevent the strap from slipping off. I never disconnect the straplocs anyway so it won't make any differnce to me (except the screws won't come loose anymore

)

tadawson · #17 01-07-2007, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogrossman

The repair guy that I take my basses to (also a bass player) says he doesn't use straplocs anymore because the screws are always coming loose. I think it's because the strap pulls on the screw so far away from the bass body (about 1/2 inch for Schallers and 3/4 inch for Dunlops). He convinced me to go to a strap button with "wings" to prevent the strap from slipping off. I never disconnect the straplocs anyway so it won't make any differnce to me (except the screws won't come loose anymore

)

I dunno about Dunlops, but my Schallers are the same distance from my bass's body as the stock strap buttons, so I don't really buy that argument. I think what is more likely is that either folks put 'em on way too tight, and strip the wood, or the screws are too small, and folks don't recognize that fact . . . .

- Tim

stefaniw80401 · #18 01-08-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogrossman

... He convinced me to go to a strap button with "wings" to prevent the strap from slipping off. I never disconnect the straplocs anyway so it won't make any differnce to me (except the screws won't come loose anymore

)

Strap locks rule -- not just because you can snap a strap in/out quickly and securely --- but for me, I often double on another instrument (while looping) and simply sling my bass around behind my back. The bottom button could let go of your strap if it weren't a strap lock. - Mark

ogrossman · #19 01-08-2007, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tadawson

I dunno about Dunlops, but my Schallers are the same distance from my bass's body as the stock strap buttons, so I don't really buy that argument. I think what is more likely is that either folks put 'em on way too tight, and strip the wood, or the screws are too small, and folks don't recognize that fact . . . .

- Tim

Try measuring from the body to the strap. With a stock strap button the strap ends up only about 1/8" from the body. I can post pictures if your not getting my meaning...

Ray Salamon · #20 01-08-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogrossman

Try measuring from the body to the strap. With a stock strap button the strap ends up only about 1/8" from the body. I can post pictures if your not getting my meaning...

I flushmount my straplocks. They're closer to the body than any buttons can dream to be...