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Bass Guitar Strap

#21
Jeff K said:
Neoprene washers from any hardware store. About .40 or .50 cents each. Put your strap over the strap button, then put the washer over the strap onto the pin. They come in various sizes. Just make sure that the hole in the center of the washer is smaller than the head of the strap button. They go on or off easily, but only if you stretch them a bit. Then they automatically resume their normal shape.

I sold all my Schaller strap locks years ago and have been using these ever since.

100_0867.jpg
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This.

callofcthulhu said:
Get a 4 pack of Grolsch beer. The rubber washers on the caps are the perfect dimensions for strap locks. No screwing/unscrewing, and for half the price of a single set of strap locks you get an extra pair to put on a back up bass or to share with your guitarist - and you get to drink beer
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Or, that.
 
#22
Yes, strap locks. As for the strap itself, as a couple of people have said, wider straps are more comfortable for bass - usually about 3" is good. It distributes the weight better and creates more friction to resist neck dive. Beyond that, it's just aesthetics - do you want some kind of attractive graphic, or just plain black or brown, or what.
 
#26
While talking strap locks, let me mention that I've had a pretty consistent issue with dunlop strap locks: Only a screw with a very narrow head fits inside them, and those don't get made in anything long than 1". It would be great to have a 1 1/2 or 2" screw to sink deeper into the upper horn, but I've never found one with a head that can fit inside the strap lock button. The short screw tends to wriggle loose over time even though the lock itself holds great, and when I try to screw it down harder I wind up stripping out the screw head.

The solution I've used is to drill out the hole in the bass, insert a piece of dowel and some really strong glue (like gorilla glue or an epoxy) and screw the strap lock into THAT (thanks TB for that tip). I'm not at all a "handy" guy but it's an easy fix. So far no problems, but just a heads-up that you may finding yourself needing to do it.
 
#28
Alex_Of_Icarus said:
My strap locks kept coming loose, so I went for a more 'permanent' fix...

Straplock2000_zpsc1a05ef9.jpg


Just a big ol' ring bolt and a carabina clip! Easy to fit, durable, and looks pretty badass too! Highly recommend it to anyone, especially if you like to jump around on stage ;)
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You've really had good results with that?

I guess I've just never seen a carabina clip that wasn't a cheap piece of crap.
 
#30
Apology accepted *43 lb Ban Hammer of Thor* put away...


hrodbert696 said:
While talking strap locks, let me mention that I've had a pretty consistent issue with dunlop strap locks: Only a screw with a very narrow head fits inside them, and those don't get made in anything long than 1". It would be great to have a 1 1/2 or 2" screw to sink deeper into the upper horn, but I've never found one with a head that can fit inside the strap lock button. The short screw tends to wriggle loose over time even though the lock itself holds great, and when I try to screw it down harder I wind up stripping out the screw head.

The solution I've used is to drill out the hole in the bass, insert a piece of dowel and some really strong glue (like gorilla glue or an epoxy) and screw the strap lock into THAT (thanks TB for that tip). I'm not at all a "handy" guy but it's an easy fix. So far no problems, but just a heads-up that you may finding yourself needing to do it.
Click to expand...

I also have thi issue with the Schaller (and Fender made by Schaller) strap locks. And I have done the same thing, drilled it out to replace the substrate. The real problem as you note, is the the GOSHDARN screw is too short and the head is machined to fit the diameter of the hole, so unless you have a metal lathe handy, you have to settle for the drill out fix.



callofcthulhu said:
You've really had good results with that?

I guess I've just never seen a carabina clip that wasn't a cheap piece of crap.
Click to expand...

That's not a carabiner clip. That is a chain connecting link, and the nut on the opening screws shut tightly to the link on the other side of the opening. That would not fit in my case though and it's a bit, uugh, industrial for my taste.

Of course, I don't jump much on stage, my knees aren't what they used to be. They still hold me up, but why push it?

Go with the neoprene washer fix first, and if you are not happy with that, try a set of strap locks.

Italia straps have served me well, 2.5" wide, suede on the inside, no slip and comfy all night. They often have two for one sales. Check the Talkbass bazaar.

Welcome to TB, btw.
 
#34
strap locks suck. they make screeching sounds come through your amp when you move around any. we noticed it recording one time. after that we took them off and went back to normal. the key to keeping the strap from coming off is putting black duct tape if you have a black strap or whatever color to match your strap. tape the part around the strap just behind the hole part of the strap. if that makes sense? the hole in the strap is kindof like a key hole. it is round with a straight line going down. put tape all the way around the strap over the straight line part. do this and it will never come off jumping around or whatever. it makes it a bit harder to put the strap on and take it off but it's worth it.
 
#36
I use the schaller type. The pin type used by Warwick too only use spring loaded ball bearings in a groove and pop out all on their own at bad times.... 12 lb WW corvette nearly fell twice... I've been using them (the schaller type) ever since I got them on my 88 Carvin LB90 (god I miss that one)
These use a cup to hold the pin very secure... Let me confidently jump around like a fool do the assinine 80's hairband flip move with confidence.
 
#37
Strap Locks always go wrong SOMEHOW. Used 'em for years and WASHERS are the way to go. Simple, easy, cheap, super sturdy. Put a drop of woodglue in when you screw the strap back on and you have a pretty long-term reliable strap.

Strap locks get stuck, rust, have strange rings and washers that are impossible to find, etc. SOME will work, but it always seemed like they didn't work the way they should.

Who needs to remove their strap anyways? One less thing to lose before a gig.
 
#38
I use a Comfort Strapp. It has two holes for the strap button on each end so I hook onto the first hole and fold the flap over and double hook the strap. Works well for me. I had a couple of basses with locks and never liked that the locks were good at scratching or dinging my basses. YMMV.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1374642165.971244.jpg
 
#39
callofcthulhu said:
You've really had good results with that?

I guess I've just never seen a carabina clip that wasn't a cheap piece of crap.
Click to expand...

The clips i've got on there at the minute are relatively cheap but they've held up through at least 40 shows and had no problems so far. Upgrading to some better one's from a climbing supplier though because they've got a quick release for taking the strap off :)
 

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