Are strap locks actually terrible or is it just me?

[Bryan R. Tyler]

This problem has been fixed with the new version, making it the best on the market.
Invalid Link Removed

Looks like they still stick really far out though- that’s certainly not better than the Dunlops.

 

[marqueemoon]

I too dislike straplocks. Not really loving the silicone washer-style ones I got either since they tend to contribute to my strap button screws backing out.

Once I get my bass refinished I’ll probably get an Original Fuzz, Mother Mary, or other tight fitting strap and call it a day.

 

[Vinny_G]

Looks like they still stick really far out though- that’s certainly not better than the Dunlops.

Apparently, you don't like them, and that's ok.
What you are talking about is not a problem. If it were, it certainly would not be the best-selling product of its kind. Personally, I find the Dunlops ugly, so you need something for everyone.

 

[Bolsyo]

I have Dunlop strapbuttons on all my basses and guitars, and a strap with their straplock. I just click the strap onto the bass I'm playing. The straplock itself is about 15 years and still going strong, it has survived several straps. Awesome product!

 

[byacey]

The only strap locks I don't like are the ones that use and rely on little ball bearings to lock the two pieces together; I've seen these wear out and come uncoupled at most inopportune times. The Schaller and others that lock and have a U shaped captive coupling are the best.

 

[JKos]

There are also these...
Diago Twistlock straplock

- John

 

[seanm]

I don't like strap locks. I use oversized buttons and just never remove the straps.

I have used Dunlaps, but had them let go at a gig, luckily I caught the bass. This was almost guaranteed to be user error, but this is what strap locks are supposed to protect against

I have also used Schaller. I liked them better, but I find they tend to rattle.

 

[byacey]

Are those Dunlops the ones with the little ball bearings? I had a pair of those years ago and threw them out after the bass came uncoupled when someone bumped into me on a crowded stage. They must have bumped into the "press to release" button

 

[Ryan L.]

Many, many years and well into the thousands of gigs, rehearsals, etc, I’ve never once had a Dunlop straplock fail me. Ever. In any way.

So I guess I’ll stick with what I know works for me.

 

[byacey]

Never say never (or ever). After my experience, the Schallers looked like a no brainer because they don't only rely on the captive pin to remain coupled.

 

[12BitSlab]

15 years of near full time playing, at least 2,000 gigs, at least 500 rehearsals, and an untold number of practice hours, I have never a strap come off of a bass unless I took it off myself.

So.....

For me......

Strap locks are a solution in search of a problem.

 

[Passinwind]

That's good to know. I'll keep that in mind if I ever have a problem with my washers. But they have been working pretty well.

On my current instruments rubber washers are the least effective solution, but I know they work fine for many people. I had a nearly new bass with a one piece sapele body crack pretty substantially when the strap let go on the bottom pin and the pin hit concrete. I have a Schaller set, a single recessed Dunlop, the inexpensive plastic Dunlop top lockers with the eccentric hole, and nothing at all on one bass. One size definitley doesn't fit all in what passes for my world...

And as a very longtime sound deWd, I've seen amazing amounts of carnage on stage. We all do what we gotta do, or not.

 

[bass12]

I have Dunlops on all my basses except for one and I've never had an issue with them. On the one bass I own that doesn't have strap-locks I use washers. The washers work but they can be a bit annoying if you remove your strap regularly, which reminds me of that time in Switzerland... I was in a rush to hit the stage and I didn't want to fuss with the washers. I figured, "I'll be fine just this once". Well, wouldn't you know it: between songs I reach for my water bottle and... KLANGGGG - my bass hits the floor. Intimate room with a seated, attentive festival audience - and I just broke the silence. The sound of that bass connecting with the stage filled the room and I instantly felt like an idiot. An experience I'd rather not repeat. So, yeah, some kind of strap lock/washer is not a bad idea (though I have to say that I don't like the look of those Fender locks at all).

 

[Vinny_G]

I don't like strap locks. I use oversized buttons and just never remove the straps.

I have used Dunlaps, but had them let go at a gig, luckily I caught the bass. This was almost guaranteed to be user error, but this is what strap locks are supposed to protect against

I have also used Schaller. I liked them better, but I find they tend to rattle.

The newer ones don't.

 

[Ryan L.]

Never say never (or ever). After my experience, the Schallers looked like a no brainer because they don't only rely on the captive pin to remain coupled.

Well, like I said, I’ve *never* had a problem (ever). If I do have one, I’ll no longer be able to say never, or ever. Like I also said, I have thousands of gigs/rehearsals using them, without a single failure. They’ve proven themselves to me. YMMV, obviously.

Nothing wrong with Schallers either, I’ve used them on a few basses that came with them (but have always swapped to Dunlop buttons since the straps I normally use have Dunlop’s on them). I just prefer Dunlop locks based on experience.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I have no problems with straps on my basses; I sit to play, no strap required.

 

[Watchootognbout]

The problem was that you bought FENDER straplocks.
Not Schaller straplocks.

Doing without straplocks is not a problem.....
......until your bass slips off the strap!

 

[briandavismurph]

Dunlop dual designs use a different attachment method so there’s nothing that can come unscrewed- I switched to them and stopped using Schaller type straplocks many years ago because of the random nut loosening thing.

I have used Dunlops on 10 different bases with one strap for 20 years and I finally had my first one self-destruct two weeks ago but overall I’d say that’s a pretty good track record and they’re ultimately stable and solid.

 

[Jon Moody]

I don't like strap locks. I use oversized buttons and just never remove the straps.

I have used Dunlaps, but had them let go at a gig, luckily I caught the bass. This was almost guaranteed to be user error, but this is what strap locks are supposed to protect against

I have also used Schaller. I liked them better, but I find they tend to rattle.

I've had all of this happen as well. The original set of Dunlops I had came on my '96 Warwick Corvette (where the strap buttons were recessed into the body). They let go at a gig, and thankfully I caught it as I was playing. I bought a dowel and some Schaller straplocks the next day, and installed them.

Nowadays, I just get the oversized buttons and call it good. Most of my gigs are sitting down, so the need for a straplock isn't there.

 

[DirtDog]

Got Dunlops on all my basses. Zero failures so far.

Same - close to 20 yrs on all my basses and guitars. No failure. I started using strap locks after my bass slipped off the strap (non strap lock) in the middle of a song during a fairly high profile gig.