Straplocks

Wannaflea · #1 06-14-2011, 01:45 PM

Hi all,

Been playing bass just over a year, and investing lots of time and effort (and money

) into it. I put a new bridge and new pickups into my jazz bass and I'm considering (not seriously, it's just brushed my mind) putting straplocks on it.

However, I have no idea what they are, apart from (slap face and correct if wrong) locking your strap to your bass.
Could you please give me some details as to what they actually are, and are they worth a buy?

Please excuse my ignorance, I'm relatively new to bass and very new to this forum (I'm loving being here

)

Thanks!

goraiders02 · #2 06-14-2011, 03:25 PM

Yep you got it...locks your strap to your bass. My only advice is don't buy from cheapest they have. If you buy crappy quality strap locks, it won't be worth it. I made the mistake of getting cheap plastic ones and needless to say, they suck. I've also heard the strap locks that act as buttons (like on a jacket) are useless as well.

Decent strap locks shouldn't cost too much money.

Floyd Eye · #3 06-14-2011, 03:34 PM

Schallers are less than $20.

Gearhead17 · #4 06-14-2011, 03:35 PM

I highly recommend you get the Dunlop Strap Locks. The Schaller strap locks have broken on me with two different basses with NORMAL playing. No spinning the bass around my shoulders or any of that garbage...

Strap locks are super helpful for ANY style of playing. They keep your bass attached to your strap. Simple as that. Well worth it and I will never use a bass without a set of strap locks.

http://www.music123.com/Accessories/...364008.product

Every now and then, take some WD-40 and clean the strap locks with a Q-tip. It will ensure the strap locks will keep working well.

scottbass · #5 06-14-2011, 03:40 PM

The majority (but not all) of us who use strap locks use either Dunlop or Schaller. Many others will tell you to just use big rubber washers such as the gaskets from Grolsch beer bottles. I prefer Dunlop Dual Design locks because they are secured to the strap with a locking clip rather than with a nut (Schallers) and they also work with "normal" straps that don't contain the locking mechanisms.

Amazon.com: Dunlop Dual Design Straplok System, Nickel: Musical Instruments

Amazon.com: Schaller Guitar Strap Locks and Buttons (Pair) Nickel: Musical Instruments

Wannaflea · #6 06-14-2011, 04:34 PM

Wow, thanks for the info guys, the Dunlop ones seem good. (to my eyes :P )
Am I right in saying that means, to intall the Dunlop ones, you need to take the existing strap buttons (sorry if I'm using the wrong vocabulary here, I'm talking about the metal thing that the strap hooks on to) out of my bass in order to put these ones in?
And also, do they work with any type of strap, or do you need a special strap in order to work with these?
Thanks for your patience guys, it means a lot!

Muzoid · #7 06-14-2011, 04:39 PM

I love my Dunlops, all my basses have them.

...and yes, they come with new strapnuts to install on the bass....any strap should work.

Bonus they come in black.

Wannaflea · #8 06-14-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muzoid

they come with new strapnuts to install on the bass

okay, how would I do that, just screw it in? or a job for a luthier?
thanks a lot by the way

Muzoid · #9 06-14-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wannaflea

okay, how would I do that, just screw it in? or a job for a luthier?
thanks a lot by the way

Very easy...use a good philips screwdriver, remove the old ones, and screw in the new ones....they come with 2 new screws, and felt washers as well, or you can use the old ones.

I always use the new ones.

(just take your time, and careful not to strip the screws, super easy job, no luthier required)

theduke1 · #10 06-14-2011, 05:48 PM

I too use Dunlop on all three of my basses. Black on my G&L 2500 and Gold on my Carvin AC50 and Michael Kelly Club Custom.
You will not be sorry!

audiophile21 · #11 06-14-2011, 05:53 PM

right now, get off of your comuter and go buy dunlop strap locks. If you drop your bass and it chips you will be very very sorry, straplocks cost around 13 bucks and have saved me countless times. There cheap easy to install, and if you don't want your strap on you can easily take it of, it dosnt perminantly bond your strap and bass but rather links them in a way that your bass wont fall... one day I was talking to a guy outside of guitar center that he should get strap locks for his les paul, and he was like nah i never drop my guitar, right as he said that his strap came loose and his guitar smashed on the pavement leaving a huge chip in the beautiful finish. It was instant karma at its best. you can also use them to do guitar spins but be carefull... theyll come loose after a while (the screw to the wood) so be sure to check them once in a while

Audiophage · #12 06-14-2011, 05:59 PM

I like the Dunlop ones myself. They're basically two strap buttons in one, so if you can't find the one with the locks installed you can throw on another one on the pins. However, Schallers are just fine too, and they're easier to install on a strap.

Although, nothing looks quite as punk as a couple of strips of duct tape holding your strap to your bass body.

StereoPlayer · #13 06-14-2011, 05:59 PM

Dunlops, 1st thing I do to a bass. Love the way they work.
Sometimes I've had a hard time putting the button part on the strap. I use thick heavy, wide leather straps.

Gotta have them!

Muzoid · #14 06-14-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiophile21

one day I was talking to a guy outside of guitar center that he should get strap locks for his les paul, and he was like nah i never drop my guitar, right as he said that his strap came loose and his guitar smashed on the pavement leaving a huge chip in the beautiful finish.

That is totally freakin hilarious...I would have burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Wow, talk about a fail.

klaus486 · #15 06-14-2011, 06:29 PM

I find the biggest advantage of the Dunlop Dual Design strap locks is that they put the point of attachment of the strap almost a half inch farther out from the body. On Fender style basses this almost entirely eliminates neck dive. I have them on all 4 of my basses. I have also found that which ever you buy a tiny bit of lube is a must. Otherwise thay can scrape or make a creaking sound which can be audible through your amp. Nothing a miniscule dab of Vaseline won't cure!

ChasBass · #16 06-14-2011, 07:19 PM

I use these - Lokstrap from Stewmac. Just have to check occasionally to make sure they are tight.

Pilgrim · #17 06-14-2011, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChasBass

I use these - Lokstrap from Stewmac. Just have to check occasionally to make sure they are tight.

Ditto...but I use the Dunlop version, and only on the top strap button. My local music store carries these.

darkstorm · #18 06-14-2011, 09:16 PM

I stopped using straplocks more then 20 yrs ago. With sole ewxception being a warwick that came with them. Instead I use wide top strap buttons and either punch new holes in strap or close off most of the strap slit by sewing it smaller. Then load strap onto button from the rear. The new hole is to small to get it off the top of wide top button. Then of course screw srtrap button back into bass. All done. None of the pesky thing of straplkock problems. Strap cant come off except by unscrewing strap button and removing strap from rear side. Of course each bass and guitar has its own strap adjusted for desired length. So no neen to take strap off em ever unless selling the instrument. Instrument goes on easy overhead.

**TheMutt** · #19 06-14-2011, 09:44 PM

Welcome to Talkbass!

As earlier confirmed, straplocks are for more securely attaching your strap to your bass. They are not just for players who like to swing their bass around their back and jump around all over the stage, but also for anyone who hates when the ends of their strap start to fall apart from attaching and detaching the strap from their bass. (the leather or whatever material will eventually stretch out/fray over time and will become loose enough to where the strap won't hold; takes a long time, but it is still something to consider)

I have Dunlop Dual Design Straplocks on all of my Fender instruments (a Jazz Bass and two Stratocasters) and a Schecter Hellcat VI. They work amazingly well and the threading of the replacement screws matches that of the stock screws pretty well, but with a little more bite into the wood which feels nice and secure.

I have a set of Ernie Ball straplocks on my Musicman because the screws fit in similar fashion (for obvious reasons).

With both types of straplocks, you just need to make sure that there is positive locking contact with the button. When I first started using them, I did not know this and had to catch my bass (which I luckily did) before it fell first on my foot, and then the floor. A simple tap or two and a tug is all it takes to make sure that the locking mechanism is properly seated.

I am using these straplocks with some very thick straps. Most of the Dunlops and the Ernie Ball are attached to Comfort Strapps with the mechanism going through both strap holes. I also have a Dunlop that is attached to a Mono Cases Doolittle strap, which has to have one of the thickest ends on it that I have ever encountered in a guitar strap. I also have one Dunlop that is attached to a vintage style tweed Fender strap which has very very hard leather ends. The locking mechanisms are a little difficult to get onto the strap at first, but once they are on there, it's good to go.

Wannaflea · #20 06-15-2011, 05:49 AM

Right, I really can't thank everybody enough here, you've all been so helpful!

If I'd have known this was the case I would have got a set long ago... the amount of times I've caught my bass, I'm sure I've broken some form of record!

I'm going on holiday to the US next week (I live in the UK), where I'm guessing they'll be cheaper, and I shall get a couple sets of the Dunlops.

Once again, thanks a lot guys, the response has been overwhelming and I really appreciate it! I'm not sure how I would have learnt about strap locks otherwise, so thanks!