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Schaller strap locks and thick straps

#21
My Godin came with Hennessy Strap Locks. They work well and I really liked how they attach to the guitar but the thread is too short and putting them on anything resembling a quality leather strap meant having only two or so threads of the nut done up. They failed three times, luckily with no damage, and I resorted to using pliers to tighten them as much as possible. There weren't any failures after this but it does damage the finish of the straplock somewhat.
As I have to change between a long and short strap I considered getting more of these, or going with a different brand strap lock. Then I thought about future purchases and the fact that i'd need to get the same strap locks on these as well. And what if that particular model is no longer made...... i'd then have to replace all of them.

I decided to spend $5 on a couple of standard strap buttons and go back to the tried and true Grolsch bottle top seals. I've got a pack of 30 seals which will probably last longer than the rubber is good for. It works with every strap and every bass or guitar I have and I've NEVER had one fall off..... unlike strap locks.
 
#22
I used a crescent wrench. Using the right tool for the job always helps:

31Tj3HRVIeL.jpg
 
#23
Good luck using that to tighten a Hennessy Strap lock. I think my pliers would do a better job. You might want to check before assuming someone has zero mechanical knowledge. ;)

Capture.JPG


You can see how short the threaded post is on them in this pic.
 
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#25
Right tool..... or overkill. "If it needs a big tool, a bigger one is even better!!" :laugh:

I agree that some cloth would prevent any damage to the lock.
My main point I was trying to make is that Schaller isn't the only brand that didn't do their design well. Any of these should be able to be put on a thick leather strap. If you think about it, the kind of person that invests in (relatively) expensive strap locks will most likely also have a quality strap, which usually means thick leather ends.
 
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#27
I don't see any flaw in the Schiller design. The instructions tell you to trim the tab if needed. If you follow the instructions, including the instruction to periodically check the nut to make sure it is tight, you should never have any problem. I've used Schaller locks since the early 90 s and never had a problem, much less a failure. I'm still using the original set I got with my J new from Fender.
 
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#29
Fair Stephen said:
Well that is true. But for few cool straps where I have wanted to take the locks off and use the strap on my an acoustic with a different type of button, the holes are too big. For staying w/ Schaller buttons its ok.
Click to expand...

I only play bass and i always use plain nylon flat straps so if i did lose a strap i've only lost about ten bucks. My longest running set of strap locks are on their third strap, having worn out two others over the years. I've tried other straps but a wide strap either rubs my neck or feels like it's always about to slide off my shoulder.
 
#30
I'm the opposite. I can't go with the narrow nylon straps. I did buy one as they are easily adjustable without taking the strap locks off but after a couple of months use i wore my wide leather one for a gig and it was so much more comfortable for me. That was when i decided to go back to rubber washers.
 
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