If you're talking about the strapends, what's there to tighten? The button screws are another story and we've got a thread for that, too.
Riis
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FAIL!! Schaller Strap Locks
- Thread starter stingrayK
- Start date
If you're talking about the strapends, what's there to tighten? The button screws are another story and we've got a thread for that, too.
Riis
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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Sometimes issues can be caused by a thing called 'user error'
Meh, to each their own.
I used Dunlops for 2 years, and continually had the neck side pin screw bending in half and pulling out of the body because of the angle and stress point. Switched to Schaller's and never have once had a problem. I install them with the horseshoe open end up, install the strap side connection with a ratchet, and put glue and a toothpick in the strap hole before re-attaching the strap buttons.
I used Dunlops for 2 years, and continually had the neck side pin screw bending in half and pulling out of the body because of the angle and stress point. Switched to Schaller's and never have once had a problem. I install them with the horseshoe open end up, install the strap side connection with a ratchet, and put glue and a toothpick in the strap hole before re-attaching the strap buttons.
I have schaller strap locks on all of my basses. Every time I get another I just buy the buttons only off of ebay and use the same strap part thats already on my strap. The buttons occasionally need to be tightened, but its not really a problem as long as the screws were snug to begin with when installing the buttons on the bass. Ive never had one near lose enough to come out of the bass and it seems like that's something a person would notice when clicking their strap on.
Another thing is if you pull the pin out before sliding it on the button, there will be less wear to the pin and spring mechanism thus also eliminating that problem. Things get weak over time and if you're constantly sliding them on and off then yeah its gonna eventually wear out the pin and perhaps cause failure, but again it seems like something I would notice.
Basically just make sure the screws for the buttons are tight when installing on the bass
Make sure the strap parts are installed facing the correct way when installing on strap and also tight (so that if pin fails metal "horse shoe" part will still hold the bass)
Periodically check buttons to make sure they're not loose
Pull pin out when sliding strap lock onto button
No problems should be had
I have had the same strap part for years and its not near failing or worn. Im also not spinning my basses or throwing them around though im pretty sure no strap locks were really designed for that.
Another thing is if you pull the pin out before sliding it on the button, there will be less wear to the pin and spring mechanism thus also eliminating that problem. Things get weak over time and if you're constantly sliding them on and off then yeah its gonna eventually wear out the pin and perhaps cause failure, but again it seems like something I would notice.
Basically just make sure the screws for the buttons are tight when installing on the bass
Make sure the strap parts are installed facing the correct way when installing on strap and also tight (so that if pin fails metal "horse shoe" part will still hold the bass)
Periodically check buttons to make sure they're not loose
Pull pin out when sliding strap lock onto button
No problems should be had
I have had the same strap part for years and its not near failing or worn. Im also not spinning my basses or throwing them around though im pretty sure no strap locks were really designed for that.
Wow, such vitriol about something as simple as a strap lock.
You can put me in the 100% success rate for Schallers for over a decade now. A beautifully elegant design.
I believe the OP hasn't returned with more info about the nature of the crash? That's probably meaningful.
You can put me in the 100% success rate for Schallers for over a decade now. A beautifully elegant design.
I believe the OP hasn't returned with more info about the nature of the crash? That's probably meaningful.
I've had Schaller strap locks on all my electric guitars and basses since about 97... never had a failure through hundreds of gigs.
Since the 80's here. Simple quick pre-flight check, same as making sure the cable ends are tight before plugging in. Just a quick check with the fingers to make sure nothing is loose.
I had the threads on the ball that you pull to release the lock strip out and fired across the room along with the pin and the spring.Thankfull I caught my bass.I was plenty pissed though.I also used to love schaller bridges but have had more of them seize up on me then any other bridge and getting replacement parts are not cheap or easy to find.Hipshot and Dunlop from now on
I use Dunlop's. Safe and convenient (so far). To StingrayK, sorry you dropped your P. Yeah that would upset me.
Yup Dunlapss are the only thing on all my guitars, from jazz bass, to flat top, to my less paul. tried and true positive lock quick release, similar to a reese traiter kitch reciever quick release pin.
that means you had that "U" cup pointing down, didn't you?
U-cup facing up, a pinch of mild loc-tite on the nut, a pinch of wood glue on the screw, done.
+1 to @Zooberwerx's point that you can't actually tighten that nut enough to be permanent, since the strap material itself squishes under it. that's why the loc-tite is essential.
that said, i ditched mechanical locks a long time ago, it's the grolsch washers for me.
were i the type to throw guitars around my back like the pop-punk kids i'd use big plate washers in front of straps permanently mounted to the instrument.
Interesting thread. Exactly a month ago on a gig the screw holding the strap button in one of my basses with Schaller locks (stock) sheared off. I was playing at the time so the bass didn't drop to the floor. Need to take it to the shop and have the screw drilled out.
By the way this failure was after close to 30 years of gigging that bass, so I'm not going to complain too much. I don't know why it happened, perhaps the screw was working it's way out and the button was no longer tight to the wood? Who knows...
By the way this failure was after close to 30 years of gigging that bass, so I'm not going to complain too much. I don't know why it happened, perhaps the screw was working it's way out and the button was no longer tight to the wood? Who knows...
nah, just get a bit of brass tubing from the hobby store that's just barely bigger than the screw shaft; file some crude teeth into one end, chuck it into your drill (set to unscrew, important!) and drill down around the screw shaft.
chances are the tubing will grab the screw shaft and back it right out before you have to drill all the way down.
then it's an easy matter of a new screw (maybe a longer one), a bit of toothpicks slathered in wood glue for the (hopefully minor) part of the hole that's been widened out, crank the new screw in while the wood glue is still wet, done.
gravesbass
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- Aug 16, 2006
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Has the OP responded?
Schaler like any other strap lock can fail. I have been using them for near 10 years beating the hell out of them. Had 2 of them fail in that time. The pull pin got faulty and or pin unscrewed and spring fell out. You have to maintain them occasionally.
Schaler like any other strap lock can fail. I have been using them for near 10 years beating the hell out of them. Had 2 of them fail in that time. The pull pin got faulty and or pin unscrewed and spring fell out. You have to maintain them occasionally.
I use Schallers and Dunlops. Never had a problem with either one. Both require a double check and maintenance every now and then. I double check and tighten mine before every gig.
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I've posted this before but it's somewhat noteworthy. Long time back while playing a gig my Schaller's "U" strap part sawed right thru the "PIN" body part & BAM down goes the headstock to the floor. Since then i've used Dunlop's. Plus Dunlop's body pin accepts regular straps, Schaller's, not so much.
Does absolutely no good if you use multiple basses with one strap with a wireless unit. My prime use.
Secondarily i have had straps pull right off the pins several times.. The ONLY reason I switched to Dunlop from Schaller is my Dolphin had them from the factory.
Only the newer dual design the previous Dunlop had a thin pin that was useless as a strap pin no flare to retain the strap
