If you are using those, you're doing it wrong. Suppose to brew and refill those, and buy the washers at the local hardware store for expedient strap locks.
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Dropped my bass for the first time!
- Thread starter BassSquatch
- Start date
If you are using those, you're doing it wrong. Suppose to brew and refill those, and buy the washers at the local hardware store for expedient strap locks.
Solid-body instruments are inherently indestructible. You have to do something extreme or get seriously unlucky to inflict more than superficial damage from just dropping one. I didn’t realize soon enough that other than keeping them clean and adjusted (YMMV), you don’t have to treat them with any inordinate care beyond simple common sense.
I had one fall off my strap years ago onto a concrete floor and was heartsick about it, even though I couldn’t find a new scratch on it. I feel like a dope just thinking about that now. Always remember, these things are tools, not jewelry.
I had one fall off my strap years ago onto a concrete floor and was heartsick about it, even though I couldn’t find a new scratch on it. I feel like a dope just thinking about that now. Always remember, these things are tools, not jewelry.
Relax, you've just taken the first step to creating an authentically relic'd instrument.
I've dropped my share in 30 years of playing...until I stopped being a miserly bass player and bought these wonderful things called strap locks.
And for goodness sake, don't do this...
And for goodness sake, don't do this...
Another +1 here for Schaller locks. Both the old version and the new S-lock version. A bit bulkier than I would like, but they are the ones I started with and they’ve always worked for me.
I don’t use them on basses with the upper pin on the back of the bass (at the heel of the neck). It seems like it would be too bulky and would jab me. I use Grolsch washers on those basses.
I don’t use them on basses with the upper pin on the back of the bass (at the heel of the neck). It seems like it would be too bulky and would jab me. I use Grolsch washers on those basses.
To each his own, but I always found straplocks to overengineer the solution. The washer thingies (Fender, Grolsch or otherwise) do a great job and cost nothing.
Don't let this little accident make you tamp up. Just get strap locks or the grolsch style rubber washers and don't worry about it. I had my instrument come loose ass end first a number of times, eventually you get used to what conditions cause that to happen and avoid them. Always one hand on the instrument when you don't have strap locks, but even when you do its a good habit to keep just in case.
beat me to it ... also, if you join a band and start playing shows you are not going to be sitting down.
I've owned my first bass for one (1) day now
(so you can trust my experience), but I decided to try a D'Addario Auto Lock strap. It's a great concept and seems to be quite secure. I have no plans for any crazy bass spins or gymnastics, but I think it's going to work well. At some point, when I've played enough to know exactly what length I like I'll probably make a wide thick leather strap at work that will use traditional strap locks.
Charles
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B8WT83C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(so you can trust my experience), but I decided to try a D'Addario Auto Lock strap. It's a great concept and seems to be quite secure. I have no plans for any crazy bass spins or gymnastics, but I think it's going to work well. At some point, when I've played enough to know exactly what length I like I'll probably make a wide thick leather strap at work that will use traditional strap locks.Charles
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B8WT83C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
The old strap lock issue. To each his own, but I think strap locks are horrible. Get a good strap, put it on your bass and never take it off. Just put it in the case with the strap still attached. If you're anal get a rubber washer and put that on as well, but you don't have to.
I've been playing for years and never had a bass fall because of a strap. My issue is banging my headstock into things, that's where I've picked up my dings.
I've been playing for years and never had a bass fall because of a strap. My issue is banging my headstock into things, that's where I've picked up my dings.
Dunlop Strap Locks. 36 years and counting. My first pair is still on the original bass from 1982! Not every 1 issue. Ever! Never dropped a single bass. They are $10. Every bass I buy, I always buy and I do mean ALWAYS - Case, Strap, Strap locks. For every bass..
Ive been lucky. Only bass that happened to me with was a cheap Squier Affinity that is my testbed for pickup and string experiments. Man, was I pissed because I take really good care of things. I’m now going to learn how to refinish a bass. As mentioned above, the Fender rubber washers or beer bottle washers are now on all my guitars and basses.
They work Better than store bought strap locks. Never fail, easy on and off if required, way cheaper. I have taken the strap locks off ALL my basses and replaced with hardware store washers.
I've heard it said that the very first thing you should do with a new instrument is to knock it against a wall. It's bound to happen eventually, and then you won't worry about it!
That being said, I can't bring myself to do it.
That being said, I can't bring myself to do it.
