straplocks are the devil!!

blackmail man · #1 05-17-2008, 05:30 AM

the other night at practice i decided to take along my warwick.
i normally play my p-bass in this group, but seeing as the 'wick hadn't had much love, i took her along for the ride.

during one of the quiet moments when we were all talking i felt something jolt, and then watched as my (reasonably expensive) toy fell flat on her face!!!!
it dropped over a meter (im reasonably tall and wear the bass high)
and just smashed into the ground!! EEEEEPPPPP!!!!!!
ok, so it didn't actually smash, but it fell pretty hard. all because of a straplock that hadn't quite locked in properly. sickening..

luckily she walked away with only a broken nut!!

message to all: lock up your loved ones. carefully.

mongo2 · #2 05-17-2008, 05:42 AM

OUCH!!!

Dunlops?

Mon Rominee · #3 05-17-2008, 05:46 AM

Yeah, kinda why I don't use them...not necessarily the straplock's fault, just don't like to invite the opportunity.

CrashClint · #4 05-17-2008, 05:53 AM

Sorry to hear about the accident and I am glad it was only the nut that was broken.

Yeah, I have used Dunlop strap locks for around 20 years. Because of such an accident with a cheap bass I had, I always make sure they are pushed all the way in then I give them a tug to make sure they locked. It has become second nature to me to check to make sure it is secure.

Fezzey · #5 05-17-2008, 05:57 AM

I've never had a problem with Straplocks and prefer them to Schaller. The Schaller strap devices squeak and the noise can be heard through the instrument.

hasbeen · #6 05-17-2008, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

Sorry to hear about the accident and I am glad it was only the nut that was broken.

Yeah, I have used Dunlop strap locks for around 20 years. Because of such an accident with a cheap bass I had, I always make sure they are pushed all the way in then I give them a tug to make sure they locked. It has become second nature to me to check to make sure it is secure.

+1. A BIG +1

DanGouge · #7 05-17-2008, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fezzey

I've never had a problem with Straplocks and prefer them to Schaller. The Schaller strap devices squeak and the noise can be heard through the instrument.

Squeek? I never heard mine do that.

snaverb · #8 05-17-2008, 06:06 AM

Try the new Ernie Ball Straplocks, they are awesome

If I had to explain them, the EB's take what the Dunlops and Schallers do best, and combine them.

Bassist4Life · #9 05-17-2008, 06:07 AM

The Schaller locks cradle the strap button. Even if the lock didn't work for some reason, it would still hold up your bass. I've never had a problem with the squeaking sound that was mentioned (while playing).

Joe

puff father · #10 05-17-2008, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fezzey

I've never had a problem with Straplocks and prefer them to Schaller. The Schaller strap devices squeak and the noise can be heard through the instrument.

I had Schallers years ago. Mine squeaked also and would regularly come loose (unscrew themselves). It was a big enough pain that I went to no strap locks for many years. Recently I got a set of Dunlops. I like the Dunlops so far.

Jim Carr · #11 05-17-2008, 07:57 AM

The only basses I have ever had fall, fell off of crummy stands. I guess I'm not as likely to jump off my amp as some of the younger guys.

Smallmouth_Bass · #12 05-17-2008, 08:04 AM

Yeah, I like the Schallers too. I've heard this story a few times now from Dunlop users.

ibanezcollector · #13 05-17-2008, 08:13 AM

Schallers for the win... I dont play out so usually I never use a strap anyways.. LOL

But I prefer the Schallers when I do use one, for the reason it cradles the strapbutton as a second measure of safety

oh and no squeaks either..

cb56 · #14 05-17-2008, 08:15 AM

Yep, I used dunlops on all my basses for years with no problem but when I got my warwick with the recessed dunlops I had the same thing happen. Fortunately I was able to catch my bass with no damage every time it happened. Does yours have the recessed ones?
Anyway I've since switched to Schallers and have yet to have a problem. It's been 8 years since the switch and I've never heard any squeaking.

roberthelpus · #15 05-17-2008, 08:15 AM

The squeaky straplocks get the oil

Way back when I used to take a piece of leather and put it under the strap pin, around the strap and on top of the pin. Put a hole in it and run the screw through it. Each axe (3) had it's own strap that stayed with the guitar.

Jjango · #16 05-17-2008, 08:16 AM

In 20-some years of using both Schallers and Dunlops on all my basses and guitars, I've never had one unintentionally come off.

Maybe I'm just lucky...

nastyn8c · #17 05-17-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrashClint

Sorry to hear about the accident and I am glad it was only the nut that was broken.

Yeah, I have used Dunlop strap locks for around 20 years. Because of such an accident with a cheap bass I had, I always make sure they are pushed all the way in then I give them a tug to make sure they locked. It has become second nature to me to check to make sure it is secure.

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fezzey

I've never had a problem with Straplocks and prefer them to Schaller. The Schaller strap devices squeak and the noise can be heard through the instrument.

And another +1

JLubinsky-Mast · #18 05-17-2008, 08:27 AM

I use the rubber washers that come with grolsh bottles. The red sticks out a bit, but when they're on they do not come off.

Would'e? · #19 05-17-2008, 08:31 AM

Schallers (

) all the way. Never had a squeak or a failure. Dunlops (

) are another story.

Muddslide · #20 05-17-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLubinsky-Mast

I use the rubber washers that come with grolsh bottles. The red sticks out a bit, but when they're on they do not come off.

Man, I like the sound of this.

On another thread about strap locks, someone mentioned some little plastic washer-type locks. Can anyone elaborate on those? where to find, how sound they are, etc?