Dropped my bass for the first time!

[TheCrazyJoe]

I bought a locking strap for my bass. I typically play standing up as I play in several bands. Before I got the locking strap, I had the bass drop, but I caught it before it hit the ground. Locks or locking straps are the way to go

Joe

 

[DenverKen]

Man, I've dropped, thrown, kicked, you name it to my basses over the years. My Travis Bean dropped off the stage onto the dance floor in Rock Springs, Wyoming in 1982 and the body split in half! Lead guitarist's father was a woodworker so he fixed it for me and today you can't even tell. I still can't recall how that happened because in those days I always used strap-locks.

 

[JohnAC]

Only been playing for about 6 months.
My MIM Fender Noir P-bass is my pride and joy. It's the best decision, hobby, toy, thing I've ever done just for myself in 48 years. I always play sitting down but decided to stand infront of the mirror, on hard tile floor, and try to look at my technique. Strap came lose on the bottom of the guitar and hit the floor HARD! My heart sank but looks like I got away with just a small dent. I will never play standing up again.
Any horror stories to share?

I’m still playing my Sticks after 51 years of groovin! Unless there’s some new tech I’m not aware of, strap locks have worked for me! Blessings to your future years of holdin the groove!

 

[RichieRich]

Only been playing for about 6 months.
My MIM Fender Noir P-bass is my pride and joy. It's the best decision, hobby, toy, thing I've ever done just for myself in 48 years. I always play sitting down but decided to stand infront of the mirror, on hard tile floor, and try to look at my technique. Strap came lose on the bottom of the guitar and hit the floor HARD! My heart sank but looks like I got away with just a small dent. I will never play standing up again.
Any horror stories to share?

Well, look at it philosophically and with reality. First of all, Usually the first hit is at the headstock. Allways look to see where your headstock is going before you move or turn inless you're on an open stage. The drop is the first mishap but probably not the last. Dings and dents happen. Guitars with this these battle scars mean its been around. So now its broken in. My advice would be to use strap locks. Even the inexpensive rubber washers made to go over the strap pins work good. Don't take it sitting down you're eventually have to stand and play. Best to start to get used to it. Good Luck, keep thumping! (PS, I got 15 years on you!)

 

[RichieRich]

NEVER, in 45 years thank the bass gods! Just headstock and body hits, all minor

 

[barrenelly]

Before I had my current bass (in my profile pic) built, I had a cradle made for my Gibson EB2DC, so no strap needed. The bass sits in the cradle, anchored by its strap buttons, and the cradle fits on to a cymbal stand.

 

[cosmicevan]

I play my basses so they show battle scars. The most aggravating thing for me was after I added a fridge to my jam room, I neglected to realize its position to where I typically play at home and in turning around to adjust my amp I put huge dings in the headstock of BOTH of my Carl Thompsons on 2 separate occassions. Now I have changed where I stand when I play.

 

[greatbassguitar]

I was teaching myself the ‘80s move of swinging the bass around you head (yes it was in the ‘80s) and my strap broke and I ended up flinging my pBass over my head and onto the floor. Tuned it back up, no problem. From then on, only real leather straps and washers. And I did go back and nail that trick!

 

[Pauls Onbass]

Only been playing for about 6 months.
My MIM Fender Noir P-bass is my pride and joy. It's the best decision, hobby, toy, thing I've ever done just for myself in 48 years. I always play sitting down but decided to stand infront of the mirror, on hard tile floor, and try to look at my technique. Strap came lose on the bottom of the guitar and hit the floor HARD! My heart sank but looks like I got away with just a small dent. I will never play standing up again.
Any horror stories to share?

Only locks I use.

 

[Williethedummy]

Thanks! I didn't even know there were such a thing as strap locks. Just ordered a few.

I use Schallers Strap Locks. Dunlop’s were first until they rusted on. I sweat a lot. The Dunlop ones are designed where you push the pin down (further in the direction you do NOT want to go) to release. Once that gets rusty....it’s finished. The Schallers....slide sideways. If any rust or pitting gets in there...slides off anyway. Only ones I ever buy now.

 

[Beejay772]

Set of strap locks on one strap and the matching mounts on every bass. Then swapping to next bass with favourite strap is easy.

 

[fretno]

my '72 took a hit

 

[Kevin Colt]

dropped my p's many times, had bar flys knock them over time and time again. a p bass is indestructible.

 

[JZWHISKEYREVOLV]

Only been playing for about 6 months.
My MIM Fender Noir P-bass is my pride and joy. It's the best decision, hobby, toy, thing I've ever done just for myself in 48 years. I always play sitting down but decided to stand infront of the mirror, on hard tile floor, and try to look at my technique. Strap came lose on the bottom of the guitar and hit the floor HARD! My heart sank but looks like I got away with just a small dent. I will never play standing up again.
Any horror stories to share?

 

[JZWHISKEYREVOLV]

They are called "Strap LOCKS" for a reason. I've been using Dunlop Strap Locks for almost 40 years …… they work if installed properly and if you make sure they are properly seated when you put the strap on !!!!

 

[gary mitchell]

I have always had strap locks on my guitars and basses, 30 are more years. They are a good investment.

 

[Rich Fernadez]

Only been playing for about 6 months.
My MIM Fender Noir P-bass is my pride and joy. It's the best decision, hobby, toy, thing I've ever done just for myself in 48 years. I always play sitting down but decided to stand infront of the mirror, on hard tile floor, and try to look at my technique. Strap came lose on the bottom of the guitar and hit the floor HARD! My heart sank but looks like I got away with just a small dent. I will never play standing up again.
Any horror stories to share?

The thing to do is take out the screw, take it to the hardware store and get one that is almost twice as long, drill a tiny pilot hole to the deeper depth and use the longer screw, even if it did not come out. Also get a chrome washer and when you put the washer to the outside of the strap holder. This will entail putting the strap on it and then screw it all in. From then on never take the strap off the lower end, just the top. I got a new Jazz Bass to go along with my P bass last year and I put in the longer screws right away. Never had a bass or guitar fall of once I did this. Have to play gigs standing up and I practice that way a lot.

 

[picker1974]

Every guitar and bass I own has a strap lock of some kind on it. Even if I only play it once a year. I had a fretless Jazz bass copy made by SX (actually a decent instrument) that popped off the strap and met with the concrete floor of my basement. Took a dime sized chunk off of it. Never will happen again. Now when a bandmate trips over your cable and knocks it off the stand, they don’t make a device for that

 

[hatchards]

I’ve never had a failure with the Schallar locks, but I have a nice through the finish dent in my Stingray from the Dunlop’s. If they don’t get plugged in just right, it can get bad.

 

[Calvin Maine]

Not a drop but I was setting up my brand new am pro jazz and I put a Caipo on the first fret to depress the string so I had a free hand, When I removed the Caipo, To my absolute devastation, there was an inch long crease about a mil wide from the Caipo, Really annoyed. I know marks and scuffs are simply unavoidable over time but the first one is always gonna be a blow to have to take. Anyway, probably better sooner rather than later. Still plays and sounds mint!