Lock it or drop it

[lunarpollen]

I've tried several different strap locks, and they've all let me down in big-time one way or another. I've switched to those cheap black rubber washers from the hardware store. The secret is getting ones that fit snugly enough around the strap button. But I may try Grolsch washers just for the hell of it.

 

[SteveC]

The first "mod" I make to any bass.

 

[DaveLS]

The cheapest strap locks I've ever used are these ....

... the rubber washer from a bottle of Grolsch beer .



Costs less than Dunlops, Schallers etc. and ... comes with a free beer !

I use those on my guitars, but I use Dunlops on my basses.

 

[StarscreamG1]

i use the DiMarzzio clip lock straps. all 3 of my basses. they have a screw with some plastic washers you put in place of the strap buttons, basically, two ends stay on your bass, and you un hook the strap in the middle. no problems yet, and they're supposed to be tested to like 600 pounds of force.

I /think/ that is the company that made these padlock strap locks. I have been to their site and they are still listed but I can't seem to find any place that carries them and I can't seem to find a way to buy them straight off their site, that is if they sell from their site. I would love to get several more sets of them for sure!

As far as the washers I use, I don't use the rubber ones but have a set of chrome metal hardware ones that have the strap VERY secure on my VMJ.

 

[jschall84]

i have the zepplins on right now. i think they are a GC brand. they are just like the guitar fetish ones. DO NOT USE THESE! after about 10 seconds of wiggling they come right off. i wish i could find some of the cheap plastic dunlop ones around here.

 

[coreyfyfe]

None. Thick straps and wide strap buttons. The only basses where I could probably use them are my sterling and my pedulla, neither of which see much gigging time so I'm not really concerned.

My main gigging bass right now is a Gibson G3 which has doorknobs for strap buttons. On that note, who was smoking what at gibson that thought it was a good idea to put that giant ass strap button pointing down below the upper horn?

 

[GearHeadBassMan]

I prefer Dimarzio clips over strap locks... Easy to attach, never failed, and you can use one strap for every bass (it sucks to buy a new one for the clips though)

 

[P-BASSLOVER]

If I use them I like Schallers but I don't jump around the stage
these days so I just use the buttons that come with the bass.
If one is loose, I shim it with a piece of toothpick or a wood
matchstick along with some carpenters glue, and im AOK.

 

[X Wolf]

Schallers, which have worked very well for me.

George

 

[Sub5ound]

SCHALLER. Well built. More security over the Dunlops.

 

[Dr2Kitties]

In the early 1990's, the strap down by the bridge came unhooked in the middle of a gig. This flipped the headstock away from my fret hand and up into my (then) long curly hair....the tuners caught in my curls and yanked painfully at my scalp....I cried out and my microphone amplified my scream....then I noticed my bandmates giving me the evil eye whilst I desperately tried to free my hair from the tuning pegs with one hand, while holding the bass with the other hand....

Needless to say, I got strap locks before the next gig. Dunlops. I have them installed on every new bass right from the start.

I will say, the Dunlops don't always "set" fully when I first attach the strap, so I developed the habit of lightly pulling/shaking them to test the attachment and this works just fine.


Tisabelle

 

[tplyons]

Schaller or Grolsch for me.

The only problem with Schallers, is that the nuts can come undone. That can be fixed with a quick dab of Loctite.

 

[metalmariachi]

Never used them, never dropped a bass (knocks on wood) in 40 years.

I have a different strap for each bass, (because I like to be color coordinated?).

Makes switching basses smoother and much quicker.
I don't like sitting there watching someone fart around with his/her strap for 5 minutes between songs.

MM

 

[Sub5ound]

Never used them, never dropped a bass (knocks on wood) in 40 years.

I have a different strap for each bass, (because I like to be color coordinated?).

Makes switching basses smoother and much quicker.
I don't like sitting there watching someone fart around with his/her strap for 5 minutes between songs.

MM

There are two types of bass players: Those that have dropped their bass...and those that will.

 

[metalmariachi]

Well I have knocked them over a bunch of times leaning it against my amp.

I don't fling them about or do back flips while playing so the danger is a bit diminished.

MM

 

[sixgunner]

Grolsch washers here.

 

[JQ1986]

I used to use electrical tape when I was in high school. Couldn't afford strap locks since McDonalds doesn't pay enough to get a bass AND strap locks . But my 5-string has a DiMarzio strap that screws into the body and I can't find those at any of the music shops here anymore. I really like that one, but I haven't had any problems with the Dunlop ones I have on my p-bass except losing the button for the bottom.

 

[Erick Lam]

I use none and never dropped a bass in 21 years, even when I had a bass with tiny lock buttons but no locks on the strap. I've seen people dropping guitars with strap locks though.

 

[ProfGumby]

...........

I will say, the Dunlops don't always "set" fully when I first attach the strap, so I developed the habit of lightly pulling/shaking them to test the attachment and this works just fine...........

Dunlops on all 5 of my current basses and I used them on my T 40. Never had an issue, but have instinctively developed the method of insuring the strap locks are indeed set....



First thing done to any new bass!

 

[Showdown]

Dunlop.

20yrs using them on every single bass, and never a failure or accidental disconnect.

Same for me.