Levy's Straps and Schaller Locks

[Tankdave]

I've narrowed my next new strap choice down to the Levy's MSS1 or the MSS2 strap.

These two straps appear identical but are contructed from different types of leather, MSS1 is a "carving" leather and the MSS2 is "garment" one. I'm assuming the carving leather is much thicker than the garment one?

Moving on to the Schaller straplocks, I've measured them up and they seem capable of taking leather up to 4mm thick or not much more than 1/8"

Can anyone confirm Schaller locks work with either the Levy's MSS1 or MSS2 straps before I part with my hard earned cash?

[COBRARI]

I use Levy's MSS1's with Jim Dunlap original Straploks and there is plenty of room.

[Tankdave]

Thanks for the info.

I've ordered an MSS1, it's one of a few strap makers that go short enough for my "bass under the chin style" of playing

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by Tankdave

I've ordered an MSS1, it's one of a few strap makers that go short enough for my "bass under the chin style" of playing

I guess that makes up for Levy never having made a strap long enough for me to even use.

And I absolutely ~HATE!!~ Schaller straplocks...even more than I hate other straplocks, which is plenty...so much so that I am actually going to spend time and money [incredible, yes, but true!] to replace the Schaller strap buttons on the fifteen or so MIA Fenders I have that are currently OEM-equipped with them.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

I guess that makes up for Levy never having made a strap long enough for me to even use.

And I absolutely ~HATE!!~ Schaller straplocks...even more than I hate other straplocks, which is plenty...so much so that I am actually going to spend time and money [incredible, yes, but true!] to replace the Schaller strap buttons on the fifteen or so MIA Fenders I have that are currently OEM-equipped with them.

I've got Schallers (or in some cases the GC store brand, which are interchangeable) on all my guitars and basses and I like them just fine. Sometimes they squeak a little when I am mounting or dismounting an instrument, but that's my worst complaint. I've never had one let go unexpectedly, and I move around hands-off with no worries. I like the pull-to-disengage design because it's not likely to happen accidentally. What's to hate?

[Tankdave]

Got my strap delivered to work today, it's very nice and the Schallers will fit, the holes need enlarging a tad but they will indeed fit.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Tankdave

Got my strap delivered to work today, it's very nice and the Schallers will fit, the holes need enlarging a tad but they will indeed fit.

Tighten the nuts on the strap ends securely (I use a crescent wrench to hold the "horseshoe" and a socket wrench on the nut), and then tighten them again after a few days. As the leather compresses the nuts will loosen a bit.

[Tankdave]

Originally Posted by ggunn

Tighten the nuts on the strap ends securely (I use a crescent wrench to hold the "horseshoe" and a socket wrench on the nut), and then tighten them again after a few days. As the leather compresses the nuts will loosen a bit.

I shall, I've had this problem on my 17 year old ones, a drop of locktite should persuade them to stay too?

[basswave]

Originally Posted by Tankdave

I've narrowed my next new strap choice down to the Levy's MSS1 or the MSS2 strap.

These two straps appear identical but are contructed from different types of leather, MSS1 is a "carving" leather and the MSS2 is "garment" one. I'm assuming the carving leather is much thicker than the garment one?

Moving on to the Schaller straplocks, I've measured them up and they seem capable of taking leather up to 4mm thick or not much more than 1/8"

Can anyone confirm Schaller locks work with either the Levy's MSS1 or MSS2 straps before I part with my hard earned cash?

yes they work fine (I use both and Schallers on all my basses)

Just one little issue (if you can call it an issue) the leather might need a little trip at the corners of the split to fit the post). To me that is not a big deal.

Good Luck.

[Tankdave]

Originally Posted by basswave

yes they work fine (I use both and Schallers on all my basses)

Just one little issue (if you can call it an issue) the leather might need a little trip at the corners of the split to fit the post). To me that is not a big deal.

Good Luck.

I noticed that, I'll trim a bit off when I fit them.

Thanks for all the advice chaps

[73jbass]

The Ernie Ball straplocks work great on leather straps. The threaded section is a lot longer than the Schaller,and a lot easier to work with.

[Randall]

I believe the new schaller have a longer "post" for thicker straps. When I went to retrofit my 30 year old schallers to a new levy strap it would not handle the thicker leather. New one did no problem.

[RONQUITO]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

I guess that makes up for Levy never having made a strap long enough for me to even use.

And I absolutely ~HATE!!~ Schaller straplocks...even more than I hate other straplocks, which is plenty...so much so that I am actually going to spend time and money [incredible, yes, but true!] to replace the Schaller strap buttons on the fifteen or so MIA Fenders I have that are currently OEM-equipped with them.

Why do you hate them? I´m a new user, i just want to know what to expect...

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by RONQUITO

Why do you hate them? I´m a new user, i just want to know what to expect...

FWIW, I asked the same question. I have them on all my guitars and basses and the oldest ones are six or more years in place. I have had no problems at all with them other than a little squeaking sometimes when I put on or take off an axe. I am very happy with them.

[Tankdave]

I've not actually fitted the locks to my new MSS1 strap, but this is about the thickest strap they will take, i.e. 4mm.

I going to make a proper hole punch of the correct size, before fitting them.

[Randall]

If i compare my 30 year old schallers to my 30 year old dunlop straplock I would take the schallers for longevity. The dunlop "ball bearings" have a worn (chrome coating worn off) appearance that leaves me a little suspect that they will hold in place for much longer. Schaller design seems a lot more "bulletproof" if you locktight the nut after you tighten it a few times to compress the leather. IMHO

[Mr.Bassie720]

6 basses 2 straps. Schaller straplocks have worked perfectly for me for more than ten years. Using a crescent wrench and the correct size socket is the perfect way to lock em down tight. Ggunn is right on with his advise!