• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Club Sadowsky!!!

#37,703
Hey, Chef--

Not meaning to be argumentative, not at all! But I didn't follow your comment that Schallers can come off if rotated a certain way. There's a spring-loaded pin in the strap part that goes into a recess in the strap button and the strap can't come off unless the pin is pulled back with the knob on the strap part.

Oh--wait a minute. I think I get it, now. You're talking about the strap part needing to be oriented so that the solid part (bottom of the U cross-section) faces the end of the strap itself--so that even if the pin failed the bass couldn't drop. Right?

I just got a box wrench and tightened the nut down hard, on the strap end. That rarely loosens up.

The button on the upper horn does work loose, though, and I formed the habit of checking it before a gig. Seems like once I get some magic number of toothpicks in the hole, the button stays put for quite a while.
 
#37,704
Because of the way the Schaller is designed, there are a lot of things that happen
1-The lock nut on the strap can work loose.
2-The screw in the guitar can work loose.
3-The strap bucket can rotate and let the button fall out.
I've seen all of these happen, and had 1 and 2 happen to me before I never used them again, and watched my guitar player lose a hollowbody to #3.

If you like them, you certainly can use them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fuzzbass
#37,705
Ewo said:
I bought a used Metro RV5, right here on TB, and put Schallers on it with the supplied screws. The button at the bridge stays tight, but the one on the upper horn tends to come loose. I just make sure to check it often (I put a good number of hours on that bass), and I've put a few pieces of flat toothpick in the hole. Didn't bother with glue.
Click to expand...
That may be your problem right there. The toothpicks need to be glued in so that they become a part of the body. The screw will then remain tight.

BTW - From what I understand, people espouse the use of wooden toothpicks (rather than say matchsticks) as filler for holes because they are made from white birch, a hardwood.
 
#37,706
Chef said:
Because of the way the Schaller is designed, there are a lot of things that happen
1-The lock nut on the strap can work loose.
2-The screw in the guitar can work loose.
3-The strap bucket can rotate and let the button fall out.
I've seen all of these happen, and had 1 and 2 happen to me before I never used them again, and watched my guitar player lose a hollowbody to #3.

If you like them, you certainly can use them.
Click to expand...
For item 1, I've had that happen to me once. Since then I always use a tiny drop of Invalid Link Removed on the threads.
 
#37,707
Testing123 said:
That may be your problem right there. The toothpicks need to be glued in so that they become a part of the body. The screw will then remain tight.

BTW - From what I understand, people espouse the use of wooden toothpicks (rather than say matchsticks) as filler for holes because they are made from white birch, a hardwood.
Click to expand...

Ah--I'll try glue next time. I take it the wood glue doesn't stick to the metal of the screw, right? So it's no trouble to unscrew it without tearing up the wood, like that?
 
#37,708
Chef is absolutely correct. I had a guitar fall to the floor during the first song of an important show and put a big dent in it due to the nut coming loose. Had to play the rest of the song sitting down on the stage. I'd never recommend Schallers to anyone (unless I don't like the person).

By the way, where can I find toothpicks made from light weight swamp ash? :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fuzzbass and StayLow
#37,709
Ewo said:
Ah--I'll try glue next time. I take it the wood glue doesn't stick to the metal of the screw, right? So it's no trouble to unscrew it without tearing up the wood, like that?
Click to expand...
Allow ample time for the glue to dry before inserting the screw and you should be good.

Lichtaffen said:
By the way, where can I find toothpicks made from light weight swamp ash? :)
Click to expand...
Well, to quote the late Ed Roman (R.I.P.):


So, to answer your question, maybe a visit to your local swamp store is in order. :D

The real question of course is, what's the best wood filler for metal?! :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nomogram
#37,711
I have been using Schaller's since the 80's and never once experienced what people have reported. They are on all my guitars and basses. I had Roger install them on my last build too!
ImageUploadedByTalkBass1404232267.556910.jpg
 
#37,712
I've used Schallers for a long time, too, with no failures. Just gotta check that things are tight.

One time I was gonna try Dunlops, but when I got them home from the store those teeny ball bearing retainers freaked me out. Like, that's all that holds them onto the post? So I returned them.

Hey, whatever works for ya.

Joeykun, that purple flame top is a beauty!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Joeykun
#37,713
I've had, and have seen others have, all the problems Chef mentioned plus a few not mentioned. And I didn't use them that long, or move around much on the gig I used the bass with Schallers for.

Personally can't stand any strap locks (other than perhaps rubber washers such as Grolsch or Ish) so I swap them immediately for a large, standard button on every bass I buy that comes with them.
 
Last edited:
#37,715
I had Schallers on three different basses. I couldn't stand the way the strap-mounted nuts would constantly come loose, the way the U-hook would twist around and, finally, the noise the strap locks would sometimes make. I've never had a single issue with Dunlops (which I've now had on thirteen basses).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fuzzbass
#37,716
bass12 said:
I had Schallers on three different basses. I couldn't stand the way the strap-mounted nuts would constantly come loose, the way the U-hook would twist around and, finally, the noise the strap locks would sometimes make. I've never had a single issue with Dunlops (which I've now had on thirteen basses).
Click to expand...

I have never had the strap mounted nuts come loose or the U-hook flip on Schallers. But I do make sure that I really crank them really tight during installation. I have had them squeak a bit and have the strap pin work their way loose though. I generally put a dab of wood glue on the screws I put in (which are not the ones that come with them).
 
#37,717
Smallmouth_Bass said:
I have never had the strap mounted nuts come loose or the U-hook flip on Schallers. But I do make sure that I really crank them really tight during installation. I have had them squeak a bit and have the strap pin work their way loose though. I generally put a dab of wood glue on the screws I put in (which are not the ones that come with them).
Click to expand...
Well, you'll soon have an extra set! At least I know they'll be going to someone who will appreciate them. :D
 
#37,718
Smallmouth_Bass said:
I have never had the strap mounted nuts come loose or the U-hook flip on Schallers. But I do make sure that I really crank them really tight during installation. I have had them squeak a bit and have the strap pin work their way loose though. I generally put a dab of wood glue on the screws I put in (which are not the ones that come with them).
Click to expand...

Yeah same. Ive only experienced those issues when the nuts werent tight enough and that was when i was new to strap locks. Once theyre tightened really good, i havent experienced any problems for the last few years


Sent from my iPhone using TalkBass
 
#37,720
Chef said:
Because of the way the Schaller is designed, there are a lot of things that happen
1-The lock nut on the strap can work loose.
2-The screw in the guitar can work loose.
3-The strap bucket can rotate and let the button fall out.
I've seen all of these happen, and had 1 and 2 happen to me before I never used them again, and watched my guitar player lose a hollowbody to #3.

If you like them, you certainly can use them.
Click to expand...
+1 to all of this. The design looks good before actual use, but suffers all of these things when you gig them. IME.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back