Strap Locks

[monti2889]

I've always used dunlops, and they've never failed.
If I remember when I first used/installed them, it took a little getting used to, because the strap isn't held up against the body of the bass (like they are with standard strap buttons). It changes the balance just a little bit, but it was still noticeable at first. Once you get used to it, you'll be fine. On another note, I have played basses with standard buttons or other types of strap locks and there doesn't seem to be a transition period to go backwards. So, like I said before, just getting used to them the first couple times you play, then you're golden.

[NorCal Dog]

Originally Posted by neebs

The dunlops work like this keychain here.

by design, they work exactly like this keychain,, ball bearings, springs, & friction to keep the connection together

over time the ball bearings get deformed, due to friction / pressure / plugging them together thousands of times,, they will & do fail,, sometimes a ball bearing will pop out on it's own rendering the connection useless

i work in construction & use pneumatic tools constantly,, air hose ends are the same principal connection as the Dunlops, ball bearings & friction to hold the connection fast. i go thru numerous female connectors a year, because the ball bearings fail over time

as i stated earlier, Schallers will not fail at any time because the end pin is held fast in a cup, even if the locking pin in the strap end fails somehow, the endpin is still held fast by design, gravity instead of friction. imo, a no brainer

Yes Dunlop Straplocks Fail,, read these

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...cks-for-anyone.
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=79026



.

[bassgod76]

Dunlops and Schallers are both fine. I've used both.

I used to have all my basses outfitted with Dunlops.
My biggest beef with Dunlops is that it seems like there is a lot more pressure placed on the screw that fastens the receptacle to the horn. Why?

The strap attach point is like a 1/2" away from the horn.

I know some manufacturers used to countersink Dunlop receptacles into the body of the bass. I did this with two of my basses. Questioning the resale value of this mod, I switched to Schallers.

Schallers require some strap trimming to get the straplock attach point to fit through the strap end. Once you do that, you wrench the nut on, add a dab of super glue, let it dry, and you're ready.

I now have all my basses with Schallers, and you can buy either the genuine Schallers, Fender Schallers or knockoff varieties. All will fit.


Lastly, if you forget your strap, you can get away with using a "lockless" strap on a bass equiped with Schallers.

This is just my .02

[Ezmar]

Originally Posted by bassgod76

Lastly, if you forget your strap, you can get away with using a "lockless" strap on a bass equiped with Schallers.

This is just my .02

Yeah, I know that. I've been doing that since I got the bass. I think that's partially why they're so ready to remove. I don't think I'd be having problems with the strap coming out while playing, but they're effortless to take off, which I'm taking as a warning sign.

[Ezmar]

Originally Posted by neebs

Do you have more than 1 instrument? I don't know if you can buy the strap end of the schallers, but if you have two instruments and already own the end pin side you might as well go with the schallers. Just use some loctite.

No, I just have the one. What's the loctite for?

[neebs]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dog

...Schallers can't fail, as the endpin is sitting in a cup, can't really fall out...

Oh... I can think of a few.




sarcasm aside, I have to agree.. less chance for mechanical error with the schallers. Considering they have less mechanical parts, and do not increase the moments force on the screw in the bass body.

[neebs]

Originally Posted by Ezmar

No, I just have the one. What's the loctite for?

Same thing as the superglue. Threads are an awesome thing to work with, but without a mechanically locking force added to the threads (lock nut/washers, loctite) the bolt and nut will come undone.. eventually. Best to just use loctite.. or superglue. Or nailpolish. I can't vouch for the superglue, and nailpolish... but I can for loctite.

[NYCbassist]

I have had Dunlops fail on me. As stated above, the Little Ball Bearing lock mechanism gets worn and allows the pin to slide out. However....I still use them exclusively but in a modified fashion. I just don't attach the Lock to the strap. I simply attach the strap in the traditional manor and then pop the lock pin in the hole as a backup. There's no wear at all and it's 100% fail proof.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

I have had Dunlops fail on me. As stated above, the Little Ball Bearing lock mechanism gets worn and allows the pin to slide out. However....I still use them exclusively but in a modified fashion. I just don't attach the Lock to the strap. I simply attach the strap in the traditional manor and then pop the lock pin in the hole as a backup. There's no wear at all and it's 100% fail proof.

Can you post a pic of this?

[neebs]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Can you post a pic of this?

I think he's placing his strap on the female side of the strap lock, then doing nothing with the male side.. except insert into female side. Sorta like that grolsch beer rubber washer..

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Can you post a pic of this?

Sure, Just gimme 5 minutes to upload them.

[DWBass]

Ahhh......I see. Thanks. I still like the Dunlops but I think I may go for the flush mount versions on future basses.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Ahhh......I see. Thanks. I still like the Dunlops but I think I may go for the flush mount versions on future basses.

Sounds great. I have about 5 sets of these so I just stick with them even though they're antiques.

[Lee H]

I swear by schallers on all my basses (even my big 12 string)
Lighter guitars I will use Dunlops on

[Baird6869]

I like Schallers but they can come undone.

Dunlops are more secure IMO.

Ernie Balls are big, look cool but can come undone just like the Schallers can.

I just started trying out Dunlops and Ernie Balls after 25 years of using Schallers.... Dunlops IMO are the best as the round clip rarely comes undone. The nut/washer on Schallers and EB locks WILL come off eventually. I am pretty good at checking them quite often for tightness, but they still can come loose.

Just IMO/IME.

[bloobass]

I've had Schallers for 20+ years and no major issues except: i had a basswood body and the pin screws stripped out (the regular strap pins did this too). I changed to a slightly larger stainless steel screw, squirted some 2 part epoxy into the hole, and wal la! no more issues. I did trim the hole on my strap to make it fit better, then cranked the nut down using a pair of pliers to hold the cup and a wrench on the nut. Never came loose. Every new bass i get I change the strap pin screws out...a preventative maintenance thing becasue i used to bend them do that whole neck bend vibrato thing. I've always agreed with Billy Sheehan that bass is a strength instrument, and I take precautions accordingly, although i don't bend the necks on my newer more expensive basses.

[No Malarky]

I like Loxx.

http://www.loxxusa.com/

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by No Malarky

I like Loxx.

http://www.loxxusa.com/

Wow. I'm liking those.

[greggster59]

Check out Ernie Ball Super Locks. Easy to use and solid locks.

[Lee H]

for all those saying that the nut on schallers can come loose

there is a wonderful new invention called Locktite. They have started using it on pertinent bolts on your vehicles. It is made by the same company that makes super glue, but it is made and marketed as a thread locker...

But I understand why you have never tried it...it being new and all...