Use Schaller straplocks on just about all my basses. Never had an issue in 6 years. But, I'm not as active a gigger as a lot of folks on here. That blue loctite option intrigues me...
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Are strap locks actually terrible or is it just me?
- Thread starter KoalaOnBass
- Start date
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- strap locks
Dunlops on all my basses and all my straps except the one I use on my ABG.
Dunlops are very intuitive , they look good and are a very reliable design.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...bQKFwlFhHSld-D-SvMoMsyrZ5JyVOLXRoCqo4QAvD_BwE
Everyone has reasons why they like/dislike whichever brand or type of straplocks. For me it came down purely to functionality. The only setup that has yet to fail me and ended up being the lowest cost by a long shot has been *insert generic name here* hardware store brand. See attached photo.
Hey talkbassers, I need your insights. I've always heard people raving about strap locks and how essential they are to keeping instruments safe. It made perfect sense, so I bought these a few years ago.
Only problem was...they kept coming apart randomly (the two metal bits screwed together with the strap sandwiched in between). If that had happened while standing up, my bass would've ended up on the floor. I thought the whole point of strap locks was to PREVENT this from happening??
So I stopped using them and resorted to rubber washers (which actually work great). Recently, though, I bought a used bass which came with a different brand of strap locks installed - same problem, the two parts keep coming apart. I can't use rubber washers on this one, as I'm using a thick leather strap that the washers won't fit over.
So what's going on here? Am I doing something wrong? Are there better-designed strap locks out there that actually work (the ones I had are well-reviewed, though)?? Am I just crazy?
Go Schaller, or go home.
Strap locks are a God-Send, and, though I never dropped a bass (thank you, Lord!), it only took one slip of the strap, during rehearsal, to get my attention. That was in 1981.
I purchased, what is now considered the "Older" version, for my Carvin LB50, and they have performed perfectly, since 1981. Yes, you have to re-tighten the mechanism, every so often. A small price for bass/strap security.
Today, all of my basses have strap locks, and I have been buying up all of the older versions I can get. However, I do own some of the news ones, which I think are too large, and not as minimalist as the old. Oh, well.
Regardless, you cannot go wrong with strap locks, and you cannot fail with Schaller's.
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I’ve used Schaller with a drop of Loctite, super glue, clear nail polish, or nothing for years, no issues.
Recently, I got a Dunlop Dual Function locks. On my Yamaha, having the strap kicked out that half inch or so on the front makes it feel more balanced. It wasn’t really neck heavy before, but feels noticeably better now.
Recently, I got a Dunlop Dual Function locks. On my Yamaha, having the strap kicked out that half inch or so on the front makes it feel more balanced. It wasn’t really neck heavy before, but feels noticeably better now.
my husband has had straplocks on every guitar he's owned, including a very heavy les paul he gigged with at punk shows and rehearsals for years, and he's never had anything go wrong. maybe he's been lucky, but if so, he's been lucky with many guitars over well over 20 years.
I found Dunlop strap locks when they came installed on a new bass. I liked using them and decided to commit. At the time I had three straps and 28 basses. Buying 27 full sets would have been costly and wasteful. So I asked Jim if I could buy just the anchors that are installed on the bass. He sold me a bag of 50 at a very good price. My collection has shrunk to about 20, but I love that they are all equipped.
I use these as well, never had any issues, but I still check them every week or so to ensure they are tight, they do loosen a bit on occasion, and I'm sure, if left for a few months maybe, may even spin loose enough to come off at a bad time. Never tried the blue Loctite, but sounds like a good idea, as they can still be taken off if needed.
That's pretty darn clever, and seems completely obvious now that I've seen it. Kind of pissed off that I hadn't thought of though
CosmicRay
Supporting Member
So the same things you can buy from a hardware store for $5 or $6 are now available from Fender for $40? Hell of a marketing team there!
One slip long ago was enough to convince me that strap locks are a necessity.
Have Dunlops on all my guitars and basses. But, now, after surgery I found a great Levy's strap that is wide and well padded for my shoulder but the leather ends are too thick to get the Dunlops on. They've been very reliable for many years and would love to keep using them but may not work.
Some good options on this thread to consider, once you pick through all the naysayers who insist that strap locks are a silly non-necessity. I wonder if they'll feel that way some night when they're picking a damaged bass up off the floor?
Have Dunlops on all my guitars and basses. But, now, after surgery I found a great Levy's strap that is wide and well padded for my shoulder but the leather ends are too thick to get the Dunlops on. They've been very reliable for many years and would love to keep using them but may not work.
Some good options on this thread to consider, once you pick through all the naysayers who insist that strap locks are a silly non-necessity. I wonder if they'll feel that way some night when they're picking a damaged bass up off the floor?
I use the rubber ring but my confidence in the pool is increasing.
I'm another that has had straplocks fail me. For the last 10 years i've used the Grolsch style rubber washers which have never failed me.
Recently I got some of the Planet Waves Eliptical end pins. So far they seem to be doing a very good job.
Recently I got some of the Planet Waves Eliptical end pins. So far they seem to be doing a very good job.
I gave up on strap locks long ago. I’ve used both Dunlop and Schaller. These Oversized Strap Buttons from allparts are now the only thing I use. I believe they are made by Gotoh.
+1 for the dunlop dual design locks. They're on all my basses and any straps that I use live. It helps that you can buy just the pins as I have way more basses than straps.
I’ve probably gone through 4 sets of Schaller (and schaller style) strap locks.
Most the time they work great, but you have to keep them tight or they fall apart. I got over it after a while.
I started using the rubber washers from Grolsch bottles and so far, they are working better than the Schallers!
Most the time they work great, but you have to keep them tight or they fall apart. I got over it after a while.
I started using the rubber washers from Grolsch bottles and so far, they are working better than the Schallers!
