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Fender Jazz Bass and Strap Locks?

J

JUSTINKP

Mar 15, 2011
59
0
#1
Well thanks to my tax return, I can get a new Fender American Special Jazz Bass. I'm going for the Candy Apple Red with the black pickguard. I think it looks pretty sweet, and the one I played at the local guitar center had an amazing tone and felt great.

I'm going to order it online either off MF, or AMS (they have the free 2 year warranty coverage).

Question I have is, I have a Fender Squier P-Bass and I couldn't ever find strap locks for it because the screws on the bass strap buttons were bigger than the screws which came with the strap lock systems (Ernie Ball, Dunlop, etc.) I've asked numerous people, and they all tell me its a pain in the @$$ to put strap locks on a fender. Is this true? I currently use a strap lock system on my Ray 34 and of course, that was easy to install due to the same size screws, etc.

Just was wondering, because I have a hard time with my straps unhooking when I don't use strap locks and I definetely don't want to be dropping a new bass...
 
#2
I've used various kinds of strap lock over the years. What I have settled on are homemade ones. I use large (maybe 1 inch diameter) rubber washers and just pull them over the strap button once the strap is on. It takes a bit of effort to get them on and off. Seem to work great.
 
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#3
A pain to put strap locks on a Fender? Not in my experience. In fact, for a long time American Standards came with Schaller strap lock pins. Not sure if they still do. I never understood why they didn't include the strap part of the strap lock.

I have had to toothpick some older Fenders because the screws keep working themselves loose, but I've had to do this with non-Fenders too. Nothing difficult about it, though.
 
#4
dunlops are the best. i dont care what anybody says. ive used them all. shallers suck because if for some reason you forget that particular strap, the buttons are too small to use a regular one. the dunlops are shaped so that you can. plus, the screws that come with the buttons are the ones your supposed to use. ive used dunlops for years. easy installation if you use a stubby screw driver.
 
#5
Yea man, I've been using dunlop strap locks for 10 years and have NEVER had a problem with them. Seriously, they have never failed. What an amazing invention! Just make sure you wiggle it a bit to insure a secure lock.

To solve your problem, you will have to plug up the hole a little (but not totally) so the screw has something to catch. A toothpick will do wonders! Just stick it in the hole and break it off flush with the surface. One toothpick should do both ends, tho I've never installed them on a fender..

You just don't want to fill the hole all the way because then you will have to pre-drill a new one.

Good luck with your new axe!
 
#7
I remember putting a straplok system on one of my Fender P's and I ran into the same problem with the screw holes being too big and the screws being too small. So I went to the hardware store and bought some longer screws, problem solved and they work great! The washers work great too, have done that before as well.
 
#8
You may use the the original Fender screws with Dunlop locking strap pins. The problem is that the original screw head is a bit too wide to fit within the recess. Not to worry as it requires a 5 minute fix. Simply take the Fender screw and lightly grind off a scant amount of material from the shoulder. A couple swipes with the grinder on my Dremel tool and it fits like a glove...no toothpicks, glue, etc. Don't have a Dremel? A file will work but give yourself an extra 15 minutes.

FTR, if you take a close look at the Dunlop mounting hardware, you'll see all they've done is take a fairly conventional #6 (?) screw and knock the edge down much as I've described above. Cheaters!

Riis
 
#9
I've never had a problem installing Dunlops on any Fender. Never found their screw holes to be big at all, they fit nice and tight.

But onto your purchase decision....
If the red bass in the store spoke to you, then buy that particular bass. Buying one from the catalog probably won't speak to you the same way.
 
#10
I use these:

Link Removed

They're based on the Grolsch beer bottle gaskets but made with better materials. I find them to be simple, reliable, easy to put on .. and they work with most any strap.

Note: I have no relationship with Popit-Lockit other than being a satisfied customer.
 
#11
celestialtrash said:
Yea man, I've been using dunlop strap locks for 10 years and have NEVER had a problem with them. Seriously, they have never failed. What an amazing invention! Just make sure you wiggle it a bit to insure a secure lock.

To solve your problem, you will have to plug up the hole a little (but not totally) so the screw has something to catch. A toothpick will do wonders! Just stick it in the hole and break it off flush with the surface. One toothpick should do both ends, tho I've never installed them on a fender..

You just don't want to fill the hole all the way because then you will have to pre-drill a new one.

Good luck with your new axe!
Click to expand...

I have had many Fenders, all with Dunlop StrapLocks. I may be a bit OCD, but I have cut a piece of dowel, drilled out the existing hole, and glued the dowel in. Then I pre-drill the hole for the new screw. I know toothpicks work, but that's not how I fix stuff. It works like it was stock.

Zooberwerx said:
You may use the the original Fender screws with Dunlop locking strap pins. The problem is that the original screw head is a bit too wide to fit within the recess. Not to worry as it requires a 5 minute fix. Simply take the Fender screw and lightly grind off a scant amount of material from the shoulder. A couple swipes with the grinder on my Dremel tool and it fits like a glove...no toothpicks, glue, etc. Don't have a Dremel? A file will work but give yourself an extra 15 minutes.
Click to expand...

I've done this, too...but I used a bench grinder. It also works like stock.
 
#13
I like to re-use the stock screws. It can be such a hassle if the replacement is larger/smaller/longer/shorter. In the rare instance that the screw head was too big to fit into the hole in the pin, I came up with a solution. Throw the screw into a cordless drill chuck and tighten it down. Get yourself something abrasive, like a file or some sturdy sandpaper and grind the head down until it fits.

The rubber grommets are cool too. I have Schallers, Dunlops, AND regular strap buttons on my basses. The Schallers ARE a pain if you forget to bring your strap.
 
#18
wvbass said:
A pain to put strap locks on a Fender? Not in my experience. In fact, for a long time American Standards came with Schaller strap lock pins. Not sure if they still do. I never understood why they didn't include the strap part of the strap lock.

I have had to toothpick some older Fenders because the screws keep working themselves loose, but I've had to do this with non-Fenders too. Nothing difficult about it, though.
Click to expand...

This...


- georgestrings
 

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