Currently have a set of the dual design Dunlop straploks on my Warwick Thumb. They've been on there for about 6 months. The last couple of times I've played the lock on the horn has started coming loose on its on. I know I've got it connected correctly and that they are installed correctly. I have seen people mention on here that they maintenance their straploks. I thought about oiling them because maybe the ball bearings are getting hung up and not coming out all they way to catch in the groove in the strap button. Is this is a good idea, if so what do I use and will it fix my problem? Thanks in advance for all your input
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Another straplok thread
- Thread starter leehinson
- Start date
WarwickOfficial
Guest
leehinson,
Yes, it would be a good idea to give them a light lubricant if they aren't locking properly. Also, I try to swap the lower button with the top button every once in a while, as the top button bears the load more. Hope this helps...please let me know if you have any questions or if I can assist in any way. Thanks!
Yes, it would be a good idea to give them a light lubricant if they aren't locking properly. Also, I try to swap the lower button with the top button every once in a while, as the top button bears the load more. Hope this helps...please let me know if you have any questions or if I can assist in any way. Thanks!
That's funny, I've been using then since the 1979 on all my basses. Never had any problems. Never did any maintenance on them either.
I use Dunlops on all my basses, always have. First thing that goes on them when they become mine, usually even before a string change.
The closest I've ever seen to what you describe is a few times that I didn't quite click one in the whole way and didn't notice. Never had one fail though, and I've been playing since 1981.
The closest I've ever seen to what you describe is a few times that I didn't quite click one in the whole way and didn't notice. Never had one fail though, and I've been playing since 1981.
NO!!! WD 40 will cause problems!
Almost all of my straplocks are Dunlops and I've found that light oil works, but isn't best. It's too thin and tends to dry out too fast. What I use on mine is white lithium grease. You can get it in a small spray can. It's thick enough to stay in there and also thin enough to not bind the locking balls. You just spray them and wipe off the excess.
Black lithium grease (usually for cars) works as well but it tends to get black all over everything.
The key to Dunlops is the white grease and making sure they are fully locked. They tend to bind going in the holes if you don't lubricate them and then they don't lock completely and then the bass comes loose. White grease and double check the lock does the job.
bassbenj said:
Dunlop recommend wd40 so I guess if anything goes wrong it's there fault just get them to send a free set over?
I had a Thumb NT for a while. The short upper horn makes stripping of the straplock a near certainty if you're aggressive on stage. I had the original Warwick lock strip on-stage (the body side, not the strap side), then had Dunlops do the same. Schallers were the solution.
Perhaps a light ceramic grease or (better IMO) oil? (It's available at bike shops.)
Oil you may have to apply more frequently than grease, but grease will get gunked up faster and in the long run potentially be more problematic by clogging the mechanism once dust, dirt and other debris contaminate the grease.
WD-40 was invented to displace water. It has mild lubricating properties, but I find it works almost like a solvent for loosening seized screw threads etc. I wouldn't use WD-40 as a lubricant.
YMMV
Oil you may have to apply more frequently than grease, but grease will get gunked up faster and in the long run potentially be more problematic by clogging the mechanism once dust, dirt and other debris contaminate the grease.
WD-40 was invented to displace water. It has mild lubricating properties, but I find it works almost like a solvent for loosening seized screw threads etc. I wouldn't use WD-40 as a lubricant.
YMMV
Truthfully, this thread makes me glad I use Schallers - sure, I have to put a spot of blue locktite on the threads before tightening the nut down on the strap, but atleast I don't have oil or grease in my case with my instrument... I have never had a Schaller fail, nor needed to lubricate one in any way - just a one time application of locktite, and they've never given me any trouble...
To each their own, though...
- georgestrings
georgestrings said:
+1.
I like to use a washer and just permanently secure the strap to the instrument more, though. But I still have 2 basses with schallers on them because I like to be able to switch up straps on them.
With schallers you just have to make sure not to put the strap side piece upside down!!!!! Otherwise it WILL FAIL!!
I see people advocate a washer or some such variant, and think to myself that they must not use form fitting hardshell cases, like Fender or EBMM - because permanently attaching the strap is not an option with those cases... I really don't care about being able to "switch up" straps, since I pretty much always buy a strap and straplocks for each bass - but like to use good quality form fitting cases, which make being able to remove the strap a necessity to case the instrument...
- georgestrings
I have been using Dunlop Strap Locs since my first bass way back in 1981. I have never once used any oil, lube, or grease or even maintained them. They have never failed me. They are consistantly perfect. Never a problem. Now, I have had the reciever end come loose. Nothing a piece of tooth pick, some glue and a reattachment doesn't cure in a moment, but that is not what the OP was talking about as far as I can tell
