Are strap locks actually terrible or is it just me?

[chadhargis]

I've never had an issue with my Shallers. I have the buttons on all of my basses (which you can buy separately) and the other half on my strap. Never a problem. But there will always be a horror story and someone who believes it's a widespread issue.

I've seen strap buttons rip out of instruments...so maybe we should all set down to play and don't use a strap. Or sit on the floor...that way you can't drop the bass.

 

[dwade]

Dunlop for 30+ years. A drop of 3-in-1 oil once in awhile, just to keep the the little balls free....because they will rust in place. A friend uses the Schaller setup & is ALWAYS losing the nut.

There's no wrong answer. I started using Dunlops because I had access to them. They've never failed me, so I've continued using them.

Use straplocks if you want. Bolt the strap in place if you want. The big rubber washers work great. Or just use the little nubs that come on almost every bass/guitar.
(The only bass drop I ever had was using the nubs. Just a few years back. A local luthier insisted I use his brand new bass, just completed bass. Face down in the middle of the stage. Not a scratch on it....but it made on heck of a sound through the PA)

 

[ak56]

I never take the strap off of the bass.

A buddy of mine dropped a Les Paul on stage and cracked the headstock due to a strap lock failure.

Not sure the brand.

I use Mono straps with the black Fender brand rubber Grolsh washers.

Nice and tight. Easy too. It works very well for me.

Same here, and no need to modify any of my basses.

 

[TexasEdition]

I've been using Dunlops for decades. Never, ever had a problem.

 

[Cannabis]

Been using dunlop dual designs for years and love them, had a slight affair with cliplocks for a while but the strap and buckle hanging off the bass when theres no strap on it looked kinda goofy after a while. My guitarist uses these knockoff schallers, they're pretty awful IMO.

 

[Adhesive_X]

I used the Dunlops for years and never had any issues. I got sick of buying them every time i bought a new bass,
so I switched to a locking strap instead.

 

[Sav'nBass]

I have no problem with that .... All my basses are Dunlop equipped except my newest one .. and all three of my straps are Dunloped.

 

[Lagado]

I've used Dunlop dual design locks for around 20 years, never had a problem. Not all of my basses have them, some have washers. I don't rate the Schaller locks, anything that screws down to tighten against leather is more than probably going to loosen off over time. Very narrow ends too, I'd rather the wide flat Dunlops if I have to lean the bass for any reason. A lot of internal wear in the Schallers too, the cradle type grind.

 

[klokker]

Get strap. Put on bass. Never take it off. To each his own, but straplocks.........well just no.

 

[ElectricBass72]

Strap locks were standard on my Carvin 747, 7-string guitar. I've never had any trouble out of them. But, I use cheap $7 straps from either AMS or MF on all of my other basses and guitars. I've never been picky about straps.... and I couldn't justify spending the cash on adding strap locks to all my instruments. I'd rather buy new strings, cables, accessories, etc.

 

[unclecharles]

Here's a trick: use garden strimmer blades (Bosch) snip the "tail of the blade" to size and voila! Your strap holds forages. Only problem is the blades are green in colour. One pack of these blades will outlive you and your bass collection.

 

[flametop]

Did anyone use the XL pins that you can get separately, instead of the standard pins? Experience? Too long? More secure?

 

[ScotRFM]

I never found any strap locks that I liked, that didn't wear out too fast, or weren't incredibly noisy. I stopped using them and looked for a while for locking straps that actually worked and found Lock-It Straps. I have 3" Lock-Its on all my basses now. Easy on, easy off, hold tight, no noise.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I've had Schallers on my Lull for 15 years. Never an issue, and you can use regular straps on the pin as well.

 

[The Petro]

I’ve never had the strap locks fail.
I did have to catch my bass before hitting the floor before strap locks though.
I had my wireless transmitter taped to my strap during gigs so it couldn’t fall off where ever I had put it. For guitar changes, mute, unplug and remove the strap and put on the other guitar. Worked for me.