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How many TBers don't use straplocks?

I dont as such. Instead I use wider then most strap buttons. And I sew the strap slot smaller or punch new hole sized just a little bigger then needed to load strap on from body end of button. Strap cant come off cause slot or hole isnt big enough to get over the top of the strap button. Which is nicely screwed into the instruments body. Each instrument has its own strap. So no need to remove its strap unless wanting to readjust its length. Lol.
 
I dont as such. Instead I use wider then most strap buttons. And I sew the strap slot smaller or punch new hole sized just a little bigger then needed to load strap on from body end of button. Strap cant come off cause slot or hole isnt big enough to get over the top of the strap button. Which is nicely screwed into the instruments body. Each instrument has its own strap. So no need to remove its strap unless wanting to readjust its length. Lol.

That's pretty slick, I wish that solution would work for me. Unfortunately my strap often gets soaked through with perspiration and needs to be removed from the bass after the majority of my gigs.
 
I've been playing for about 13 years now. Not as long as some of you to be sure.
I purposefully installed straplocks on all of my basses and guitars (except the Gretsch since it has the thumb bolt buttons) because I've had to catch my fair share of instruments, and because my first bass died in a fatal meeting with the ground. The strap slipped out because I was using the cord around the strap method, and someone tripped over the cord causing it to pull out the strap from the button and causing the body of the bass to crash to the floor and get a nice crack in it (this was a super cheap bass). Since then, all of my instruments have had strap locks, and I've had no failures so far because I ensured that the screws would stay in using wood glue, and I always tap the locking mechanism good to ensure it is seated properly.
 
Jamerson and Jaco never used them, neither will I. Never saw the point, just buy a new strap if the hole gets reamed from moving around alot.

RATS! You beat me to it! Can't do better than what Jaco and Jamerson did!

I'll tell you truly. I've got Dunlops straplocks on all my basses and since I put them on I've never had a regular strap and button fail though I've had straplocks fail several times! ;)

I bet next you nuts are going to start talking about "Murphy's Law" and how your bass could be damaged if the strap comes loose. It's nut's to worry about that. I've never ruined a bass by dropping it because the strap came loose.

You straplock guys need to live closer to the edge. It will free up your music and keep it less anal...
 
My first bass didnt have some on its first year, it fell, had a big ding.
I bought schaller straplocks, have had them on all my basses since then!
8 years later i never had one fail, never dropped a bass again, and i enjoy being able to swap straps when i feel like it!
Definitely a must have in my opinion.

(i would never trust the dunlops thoug! I dont like the design and refuse to trust them. The schaller on the other hand a pretty fail proof unless your strap wasnt secured properly or you didnt attach the strap part the right way up!)
 
Nope.

Grolsch Washers! :bassist:

GrolschRecycled.jpg

I never use strap locks but I do keep a few Grolsch washers in my gig bag just in case...
 
bassbenj,

Cliff Burton is one of my idols, yet I don't wear bell bottom jeans because cliff wore them. I think the straplock thing is even more superfluous than the jeans lol :P

I have lost a bass to the earth once and it sucked (when I was only a beginner of about 3 months) and even though it was a cheapy, it was a pretty painful experience. So ever since then I have had straplocks and not had a single incident of a straplock failing.

I was thinking about permanently putting a strap on, but I realised I couldn't do it as I switch between pick and fingers and with my corvette. I like to play it both low and high for finger style (most up high). For that reason, I sometimes use my strap from my blackbird to wear my corvette down lower. So Schallers are on both my basses. Now I need to find a nice 5 string fretless to put schallers on :p
 
I put StrapLocks on one of my basses 20 years ago when I was on tour and had my own roadie/stage tech who was responsible for setting up & putting away my gear: He told me StrapLocks made his job easier since he could quickly remove the strap and stuff it into a gack case rather than have to fidget with it to get it to fit in the flight case while still attached to the instrument. I figured a $12 investment to make the guy responsible for my gear happy was money well spent.

All my other basses just have the rubber washer from a Grolsch beer bottle snapped over the stock strap button.