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Strap locks for the cash strapped

#42
My favorite strap securing system at any price, and beer is included. Could there possibly be more WIN?

rubber_straplok.jpg


(Good tip on 20 for $3 at the brewing supply store, tho. Can never have too many rubber washers on hand.)
 
#43
Since this is a strap lock thread, anybody using the Ernie Ball Super Locks? I ordered a set to try them, but they are not here yet. The thing that bothers me about them (Dunlops too), is how far the strap sits out from the body. It puts too much leverage on the strap button. I used Dunlops years ago, and the strap button on the upper horn kept bending up and eating into the body (from the increased leverage). I like Schallers better, because the strap sits a little closer to the body (and a bit of red loctite insures that the nut will never come loose!), but I have a thick Levys strap and they don't fit thick straps very well. I agree with EagleMoon that bigger strap button ends would solve the problem.
 
#44
I had the Dunlops on the 1990s P I had, and I kept thinking all it would take was just the right bump to release the catch button.
Never happened, of course, just paranoia.

I have Schallers on my new 4003 (they come stock) and have full confidence in them.
It's hard to beat the security of washers, though. Cheap and very effective.

Maybe the Ernie Balls use a longer/thicker screw going into the body.

Red (permanent strength) Loctite threadlocker is quite unnecessary, the blue non-permanent grade is plenty over-engineered for the job.
Trust me, it takes plenty of torque to break that bond, it won't happen on normal use (even some abnormal abuse).
You'll need to apply heat to break the bond of the red.

Now for speaker jacks and such, red is a good choice.
Note: they also make stick threadlockers for easier application and storage.
 
#45
kcole4001 said:
I had the Dunlops on the 1990s P I had, and I kept thinking all it would take was just the right bump to release the catch button.
Never happened, of course, just paranoia.

I have Schallers on my new 4003 (they come stock) and have full confidence in them.
It's hard to beat the security of washers, though. Cheap and very effective.

Maybe the Ernie Balls use a longer/thicker screw going into the body.

Red (permanent strength) Loctite threadlocker is quite unnecessary, the blue non-permanent grade is plenty over-engineered for the job.
Trust me, it takes plenty of torque to break that bond, it won't happen on normal use (even some abnormal abuse).
You'll need to apply heat to break the bond of the red.

Now for speaker jacks and such, red is a good choice.
Note: they also make stick threadlockers for easier application and storage.
Click to expand...


Blue is not that hard to break loose unless you really slather it on, and neither is red -- you certainly don't need heat if only a tiny bit is used. Blue is probably fine though.
 
#48
king_biscuit said:
Since this is a strap lock thread, anybody using the Ernie Ball Super Locks? I ordered a set to try them, but they are not here yet. The thing that bothers me about them (Dunlops too), is how far the strap sits out from the body. It puts too much leverage on the strap button. I used Dunlops years ago, and the strap button on the upper horn kept bending up and eating into the body (from the increased leverage). I like Schallers better, because the strap sits a little closer to the body (and a bit of red loctite insures that the nut will never come loose!), but I have a thick Levys strap and they don't fit thick straps very well. I agree with EagleMoon that bigger strap button ends would solve the problem.
Click to expand...


Never had a problem with multiple Dunlop installs over several decades. I'm pretty sure that once properly installed I'd need a hammer to bend the strap button. They don't budge. It sounds like you might not have had the correct sized screw

I actual prefer the recessed install for Dunlops.

Plus they fit on thick straps like Levys.
:cool:
 
#49
kcole4001 said:
I had the Dunlops on the 1990s P I had, and I kept thinking all it would take was just the right bump to release the catch button.
Never happened, of course, just paranoia.
I have Schallers on my new 4003 (they come stock) and have full confidence in them.
It's hard to beat the security of washers, though. Cheap and very effective.

Maybe the Ernie Balls use a longer/thicker screw going into the body.

Red (permanent strength) Loctite threadlocker is quite unnecessary, the blue non-permanent grade is plenty over-engineered for the job.
Trust me, it takes plenty of torque to break that bond, it won't happen on normal use (even some abnormal abuse).
You'll need to apply heat to break the bond of the red.

Now for speaker jacks and such, red is a good choice.
Note: they also make stick threadlockers for easier application and storage.
Click to expand...

You'd have to bump the button in while pulling the strap out of the hole. Pretty hard to accidentally do that.
 
#51
king_biscuit said:
That's entirely possible, Brad.

It looks like the EB straplocks are very similar to the Dunlops; I hope they fit my Levys strap.
Click to expand...

I had Dunlops on my Zon Legacy Standard when I bought it. The upper horn pin was loose for several years (not screwed all the way in) and never bent nor budged. I finally tightened it up when I sold it. Don't ask me why I hadn't done it up to that point. I honestly don't know.
 
#52
king_biscuit said:
Blue is not that hard to break loose unless you really slather it on, and neither is red -- you certainly don't need heat if only a tiny bit is used. Blue is probably fine though.
Click to expand...

You're supposed to coat the threads uniformly. A tiny dab might not be enough to do the job properly.
The threads have to be coated all the way 'round, and at least covering the area of the threads where the nut will be when cinched down tightly,and for the thickness of the nut to work properly.
Of course, the straplock nut is very thin, so not a lot is needed.

They also make threadlockers with varying viscosity and some with wicking properties in the liquid versions. The thicker viscosity will run less, while the stick threadlockers are ideal for an application like this.
You don't want the stuff running all over your strap.

Yes, I work at a place that sells Loctite.
;)
 
#55
king_biscuit said:
Since this is a strap lock thread, anybody using the Ernie Ball Super Locks? I ordered a set to try them, but they are not here yet. The thing that bothers me about them (Dunlops too), is how far the strap sits out from the body. It puts too much leverage on the strap button. I used Dunlops years ago, and the strap button on the upper horn kept bending up and eating into the body (from the increased leverage). I like Schallers better, because the strap sits a little closer to the body (and a bit of red loctite insures that the nut will never come loose!), but I have a thick Levys strap and they don't fit thick straps very well. I agree with EagleMoon that bigger strap button ends would solve the problem.
Click to expand...

You guys have definitely hijacked this thread. It's NOT a straplock thread, it's a strap fastener thread. Honestly, go away. There are plenty of other threads where you'll be welcome.

And ggun, that's pretty sweet. Quality strap fastener right there.
 
#57
I'm sorry. But there are a billion threads about straplocks. There are a billion flame wars of washer vs. straplock. But I've never seen a thread just about washers, not to mention one this great. Must you ruin it? I don't want to start a flame war here. I just want to see how other people are hanging basses from themselves.
 
#58
M0ses said:
And ggun, that's pretty sweet. Quality strap fastener right there.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention. Back in about 1977, after dropping my Les Paul when the front end of my strap pulled off the button for the umpteenth time, I got out a coathanger, a pair of pliers, and a screw eye from my junk drawer, and voila! Problem solved. I finally broke down and replaced that clip with an actual straplock about 5 years ago, but it was still functioning perfectly. With the same strap, I might add.
 
#59
M0ses said:
I'm sorry. But there are a billion threads about straplocks. There are a billion flame wars of washer vs. straplock. But I've never seen a thread just about washers, not to mention one this great. Must you ruin it? I don't want to start a flame war here. I just want to see how other people are hanging basses from themselves.
Click to expand...

Dude, you need to learn a little respect. I hardly consider a couple of posts about strap locks ruinous to your thread. When you get moderator status you may tell me what I can post, until then... ;)

Edit: I just realized you didn't even start this thread:confused: As far as I can tell, your only contribution to this thread (before calling me out) was to correct a poster to let him know that Duck tape is a brand.

btw, the OP started talking about strap locks in the third post to this thread, so I'm going to assume he is ok with posts about strap locks.
 
#60
Now about the EB strap locks: I put them on today, and used them at rehearsal tonight on my new Big Al. They work great on the Levys strap, and they don't stick out as far as I thought they might. I also don't think they are going to cause leverage related problems as I had feared (I think you are right about screw size, Brad). Overall, I'm quite satisfied, and they seem a little better thought out than the Dunlops -- you can't accidentally release them because of the two button design. Also, the strap buttons look nice and hold a standard strap fine by themselves.
 

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