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Neccesity of strap locks?
- Thread starter wyattharris
- Start date
For me they're absolutely a must have. Every bass I buy, new or used, gets a set of Dunlop Straplocks. I can't imagine playing without them. I'm not a fan of the Schallers though. I hate their strap screw down design. I don't trust it.
Tried them, but didn't like them. Mainly because resting the bass on its tail became more awkward, it hung kind of funny, and I've never really needed them. Especially considering that most of my basses are already equipped with the wider, flatter, strap buttons that are less likely to slip. Been meaning to try the beer locks tho, just for the heck of it. They shouldn't change the way the way it sits, how it hangs on the strap, or anything like that.
I kinda doubt that, but if so, it's because Schallers are the most common lock.
There are much better ones!
I've never once in 20 years used strap locks. I wear my bass pretty low and move around a fair amount. The only time my bass popped out of the strap is if I twisted around the part that goes to the peg in the bottom of the body; locks would prevent that, but it has happened so infrequently that I've never had to think about it. I also don't use cheap nylon mesh straps. Thick leather grabs the strap pegs pretty tightly.
Strap locks are a great idea.
Until one fails, and your bass hits the deck.
Then they're not so great.
Until one fails, and your bass hits the deck.
Then they're not so great.
I use Dunlop dual strap locks on every bass I have, it's like a low cost insurance...
I've found nice Dunlop dual-design strap locks as low as $10 a set online. There's only a couple of things on my bass that could break and be replaced for less than $10. And a whole lot more that would cost $100+. I can't afford not to get strap locks. Not to mention down time, the hassle of repair, interrupting a gig, etc.
In my mind
$10/bass
likelihood of drop/damage goes way down
fav strap can hook onto any of them in 3 seconds
= money well spent.
In my mind
$10/bass
likelihood of drop/damage goes way down
fav strap can hook onto any of them in 3 seconds
= money well spent.
I like Dunlop locks. Best way IMO to facilitate a quick bass change when using a wireless. A good heavy leather strap with wireless affixed will stay on your shoulders throughout the change. Takes only a few seconds.
Your bass hitting the deck is a bad thing whether you use a lock or not.
Before I used locks, my strap used to pop off every so often. With Schaller locks I could be a lot more active onstage, but failures still happened. Since I switched to Dunlop Dual Designs over a decade ago I have not had any failures. So, it's a no-brainer for me.
I have strap locks on everything except my Conklin Groove Tools 5er, which has GINORMOUS strap buttons. It would be almost impossible for a strap to fall off those.
Me neither. I've had a few basses hit the deck without strap locks but I"m sure not as many as if I had them on my basses! Four string Fender basses, flats, tort pickguard, and beer washers. Nobody needs anything else!
I'd rather have instruments hitting the floor than be seen with stupid looking strap locks on my basses!
I can only think of three instances where strap locks aren't a necessity:
1). If you play sitting on the floor.
2). If gravity ceases to exist.
3). If you don't value your bass.
Other than that, do yourself a favor and use strap locks on any bass you value.
1). If you play sitting on the floor.
2). If gravity ceases to exist.
3). If you don't value your bass.
Other than that, do yourself a favor and use strap locks on any bass you value.
That's pretty much what's required to believe any mechanical strap lock can't possibly fail someday. That, and a dollop of faith.
Metal on metal...eventually friction wins and a device wears out.
If you're worried about it, the beer locks, or those cheapie plastic slip-on washers, or even a flat washer from the hardware store are virtually foolproof.
I "valued" my Turner Electroline5. It had the recessed strap lock system built into it. I thought "cool, nice build touch". First time I took it to rehearsal the top lock let loose, headstock hit the linoleum floor, messed up the tort facing . I got lucky, the damage could have been much worse. In a split second that bass became "de-valued".
After acknowledging that nothing is perfect, it becomes a matter of probability which unfortunately no good data exists to support. I happen to believe that my basses are more secure with strap locks, but I also empirically know that the process of changing straps for me is more convenient with strap locks.
Anecdotally, I believe most strap lock fails are of the circumstance whereby the strap lock was not secured properly unbeknownst to the player. This to me is different than an actual failure due to wear and tear, metal fatigue, etc. I have no data to support this belief.
Anecdotally, I believe most strap lock fails are of the circumstance whereby the strap lock was not secured properly unbeknownst to the player. This to me is different than an actual failure due to wear and tear, metal fatigue, etc. I have no data to support this belief.
I have never seen a straplock fail due to mechanical failure or metal fatigue. I have however seen my Dunlops come loose because I THOUGHT they were locked and they were not fully locked. So this lets anyone out who wants life to be perfect for a person not willing to make an effort. You MUST take time to check your locks for positive lock. Otherwise they can come loose. Schallers on the other hand don't do that. The gripper is quite positive. But they have the problem that the nut system sometimes unscrews itself allowing a fall. Again this is not a mechanical fail but an installation/design thing. Locktite will stop that problem.
So yes, Locks can let bass fall, but it's not mechanical failure, but failure of owner to get their mind right.
But by FAR the biggest loose strap problems I've had have been normal (old) straps without any locks of any kind including beer washers. When they get loose you can have a strap coming off several times a set. Which since I was expecting it, did not damage any instruments.
I've used lots of different strap locks: Schaller, Dunlop, Hennesey, Loxx, Grolsh, etc. All have pros and cons, but the one with the best ease-of-use and the least risk of failure has to be Loxx.
Why are we still discussing strap locks?
Why are we still discussing strap locks?
