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Can anyone educate me about straplocks?

#61
I dunno I dont spin my bass around, but I do move a lot when I am playing I guess? I have always worked the washer/nut loose on the top end. I suppose if I stood still or didnt have a tendency to emphasize changes/bridges for the drummer etc this might not be a problem. But then thats why we use straplocks right?

Also, in a pinch you can just drill a hole thru a tortex, thats what I used to do before I got straplocks.
 
#62
lol ... the "show off" bit was totally in jest. i think.

i'm a pretty big guy - 6' and more than 300 lb. and i have a bad knee, and just play at home any more, so granted my locks don't get the workout they used to.

but ya, when i used to play out, i had a tendency to bounce all over like a fool, and never had an issue with either my peavey or my performer slipping. I usually tightened my straplocks when i changed strings - and using blue steels and then elixirs, that was usually about every 6 months.
 
#65
Sorry to revive the thread but is there anyone (lazy enough) not to remove the strap when putting the bass into the gig bag after the gig, and feeling uncomfortable with the protruding strap lock on the bottom of the gig bag? I'm concerned that it will dig a hole under the gig bag. When putting away, I always stand the gig bag up by the way.
 
#66
generalduncan said:
Sorry to revive the thread but is there anyone (lazy enough) not to remove the strap when putting the bass into the gig bag after the gig, and feeling uncomfortable with the protruding strap lock on the bottom of the gig bag? I'm concerned that it will dig a hole under the gig bag. When putting away, I always stand the gig bag up by the way.
Click to expand...

Well, if it’s a workable strap lock (Schallers, in my case), taking off the strap is very easy. So there’s no excuse not to do it.

I didn’t get straplocks because I’m worried about a falling instrument. I got them for the ease of removal. I’ve got lots of guitars and basses but only like two straps, and swapping is very simple since they’re all equipped with Schallers.

For me, default setting is “strap off.” I only put it on when I need to stand up, or if I’m playing a Tele.
 
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#67
Since this thread is revived (and I forgot that I started it!) I might as well post an update:
When I got my Valenti 5 string J in 2012, I had Nino install Dunlop Dual design strap locks. I like them because you can use the strap that has the strap locks or any other. I’ve since installed them on all my basses and I will on any future bass I buy.
 
#68
Picton said:
Well, if it’s a workable strap lock (Schallers, in my case), taking off the strap is very easy. So there’s no excuse not to do it.
Click to expand...

I used to keep the strap on the bass while putting it into its gig bag after the show, before I installed Schallers. Because I was so lazy to remove the strap and put it in my bag. That way the strap was kept always on the bass, no risk of forgetting it somewhere else.

Now with Schallers installed I'll have to remove it all the time and keep it tucked away in my equipment bag when moving.
 
#69
generalduncan said:
Sorry to revive the thread but is there anyone (lazy enough) not to remove the strap when putting the bass into the gig bag after the gig, and feeling uncomfortable with the protruding strap lock on the bottom of the gig bag? I'm concerned that it will dig a hole under the gig bag. When putting away, I always stand the gig bag up by the way.
Click to expand...

I dug a hole into a cheap gig bag a few years ago. Now I fold up an old t-shirt or a denim jeans leg in the bottom of my gig bag for extra padding so it won't happen again. I also use a better quality gig bag now.
 
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#71
I just purchased a used Spector 5lx that is heavy and came with Schaller strap buttons. The weight and small button means it falls right out of the strap if the bass isnt 100% perpendicular to your body. I tried the locks, but the part that goes on the strap doesn't make it through the hole of the strap enought to properly screw it into place.
I don't know if I'm sold on the locks. I might steal the buttons off another bass to see if I like that more.
 
#72
socialleper said:
I just purchased a used Spector 5lx that is heavy and came with Schaller strap buttons. The weight and small button means it falls right out of the strap if the bass isnt 100% perpendicular to your body. I tried the locks, but the part that goes on the strap doesn't make it through the hole of the strap enought to properly screw it into place.
I don't know if I'm sold on the locks. I might steal the buttons off another bass to see if I like that more.
Click to expand...

The new Schaller S series address several issues including the short ‘leg’ thru the strap hole. Will be trying them out.
 
#73
generalduncan said:
I used to keep the strap on the bass while putting it into its gig bag after the show, before I installed Schallers. Because I was so lazy to remove the strap and put it in my bag. That way the strap was kept always on the bass, no risk of forgetting it somewhere else.

Now with Schallers installed I'll have to remove it all the time and keep it tucked away in my equipment bag when moving.
Click to expand...

I hear you. I leave the cable plugged into my bass when I put it in the bag. That way, I don’t have to worry about forgetting the cable.

I go through a lot of 9 volts in my bass, but I always have a cable!
 
#74
Straplocks are great. It's not only a matter of securing the strap, but a convenient way to put the strap on and off. If you got a really thick sturdy strap, it may be not good to put a guitar with it attached in the gig bag.

I have a guitar that does not have the straplocks yet. It has those oversized strap buttons. A couple times I take the strap on and off and I need to screw the strap buttons again. I also don't like the part of actually fitting the thick sturdy strap on those buttons on and off.

I use Dunlops. The only part I don't like is that with thin straps (like the tail part on my Solostrap Neos) they rattle. I am eagering to try myself the new Planet Waves Universal Strap Lock system. I will go either with them or Dunlops on that very guitar (but not Schallers, as I have one strap button facing my stomach).
 
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#76
Too late to the party, but I loathe the schallers. They are an awful, completely garbage design that could be improved to have gravity discourage strap-side rotation, but they never will and so countless techs and roadies are routinely tasked with having to realign them at every guitar swap in addition to retuning, relief checking/adjusting, and wireless switching. They are garbanzo. Shaite. Barely better than plain, stock buttons with no retention.

Flush mount dunlops ftw. The only issues that ever crop up is poor maintenance (they do need a spot of grease from time to time), that just like the schaller they are a metal to metal interface and will wear out eventually, and some heavy user error- plug it in all of the way.

Some people are just better off using strat neck bolts with some giant washers in lieu of locks or buttons.
 
#78
I recently took off the Dunlops I was using. The problem is not the lock itself; the problem was that you can only use a fairly short screw inside the bass-side button, and thus can't really sink the screw deep into the wood. The straplock attaches out at the end of it rather than around it, close in to the wood. As a result, I found that over time the strap would put lateral pressure on the screw and gradually work it loose.

The rubber washer straplocks hold the strap on securely enough for my purposes, and since they hold the strap in close to the body of the bass, don't exert as much lateral pressure, so I'm much happier with it.
 
#80
hrodbert696 said:
I recently took off the Dunlops I was using. The problem is not the lock itself; the problem was that you can only use a fairly short screw inside the bass-side button, and thus can't really sink the screw deep into the wood. The straplock attaches out at the end of it rather than around it, close in to the wood. As a result, I found that over time the strap would put lateral pressure on the screw and gradually work it loose.

The rubber washer straplocks hold the strap on securely enough for my purposes, and since they hold the strap in close to the body of the bass, don't exert as much lateral pressure, so I'm much happier with it.
Click to expand...

I know this post is over a week old, but I'm staring at this and not understanding? What about the Dunlop button keeps you from using a longer screw? IME, the hole can take whatever length screw you want to put in it.

I probably should have worded that differently. :smug:
 

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