Strap locks: what kind, if at all?

[Clark Westfield]

I normally use the black Fender brand rubber washers, but I have a bass being built now that come with the Dunlop system.

Never tried them, so I figured I give them a whirl.

All my Basses have their own Mono strap, so the washers have been awesome, and 100% trouble free.

 

[Drifter8230]

Schaller all the way!! I have used Dunlop strap locks before, but somewhere I switched to Schaller along the way and never looked back

Never had any problems with Schallers or Dunlops though! Thankfully.

 

[Guild B301]

Dunlop.
Except on valuable old vintage instruments with the original strap buttons, I use the big rubber washers.

 

[Ruknrole]

“New” Schallers (S-Locks) are bomb-proof and so much nicer/better quality than Dunlop’s, to my eye/feel. If you plan on using same strap with multiple basses, this is the way to go, IMO.
If you keep your straps on your basses, washers would be much more economical. But I wouldn’t think twice about by the the S-Locks. They are awesome.

Schaller all the way!! I have used Dunlop strap locks before, but somewhere I switched to Schaller along the way and never looked back

Never had any problems with Schallers or Dunlops though! Thankfully.

I switched to S-Locks because my new strap was too thick for the Dunlop’s.
Now I prefer the Schallers.

 

[bassdrummer]

I have Loxx strap locks on all my basses except one, which has Dunlop. They are the best IMO.

Loxx! Forgot to make that a poll option.
In regards to the question about strap lock failure, I think it only happened once with my Dunlop’s... it was my fault for not engaging the lock completely. Luckily I have a habit of never letting go of the neck, so I didn’t drop it when the strap popped off the upper horn. Gotta hear that reassuring little “click” when engaging the lock!

 

[CB3UK]

Just saw these at Sweetwater’s site...same “washer” concept, right? And there’s financing available!
View attachment 3973303

Can't beat the 6 month financing on that $2.99

 

[bassdrummer]

I think I bought this strap at Guitar Center on a whim, but have hardly needed it with all of my Dunlop strap locks. It has a ratcheting locking system built in. Anyone try these types of straps?

 

[Tom Bomb]

Those ^ work well, even on some strap lock-style buttons. I've had one for years — they do get a little untidy at the back where there's a rubberized compound which can get scored but will save scratches never-the-less. Over time they may break down but so far so good, for me. Don't use it much.

Old school schallers are still utilized by many. All mine — I have a good number — are still going strong and, with minimal maintenance, they never fail. All one needs to do is nip them up and keep them clean. The newer ones look good but I balk at them. To me, because I'm used to the old ones, they seem over-complicated.

I have a number of others — none of them in service. Dunlop, Daddario — who has a number of innovations — some very simple, like this type …

… seem solid (still largely untested by me); others that work like free-floating versions of the one above don't pass muster — I'm fussy — but they may be enough, in some situations. If you're going to do things like sling your axe behind you and sing, or go for a wander, or play another instrument with your axe behind your back, steer clear.

I got one recently that's built like a tank. Haven't had the desire, or the need, to use it. It'd be fine, I imagine, if its bulk suited the application. They are heavy And there are a good number of other straps out there with locks incorporated into them, like [This invalid link has been removed]. More options, every time I take a look.

I have too many Grolsch washers — they're good but I balk at them too as I can still pull a strap and a washer away from a button without much effort. Sedate players need not worry.

Anything that locks fast is a contender, in my book. The Loxx variety may be my next adventure. They're new to me. The screw shaft diameter cops some flack — too thick — but I don't see that as a problem, as long as you're fully committed. They look pretty good, in general. Dunlops are fine too as they're solid.

Watch out for any knock-offs — they can be cheap and nasty sometimes. Straplocks for me though, as a rule — that's my briar patch — I like to take straps off all the time, and I like to keep them on too, in the interim — going hands-free for any number of reasons. And when you get it all together with Schallers — not so simple but not too difficult either — they do work really well. Off in a shot and bullet proof.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Schallers.
Always.

 

[Smith357]

I use the Loxx system, is it better than the others? No, the reason I went with Loxx is that it is low profile and the other bulky systems are uncomfortable when a strap button is placed on the heel of the neck.

 

[Nighttrain1127]

I have been using those Fender washers you posted from Sweetwater for over a year and have not had one come off any of my 12 Basses yet although I do not do the bass spin thing so there is that. I have used Shallers and Dunlop strap locks The Dunlops seem kind of flimsy And the screws holding the Button on the Schallers seem to loosen after a while and can fail And pull the wood out with it.

 

[KaseOfBass]

I’ve used Dunlop for as far back as I can remember and haven’t had the first issue.

A guitar player I played with for years always used Schaller and ended up with his guitar slamming to the ground on several occasions due to a failure with them. Nope, no need to try those.

 

[Lagado]

Dunlop, wider and flatter so you can lean your bass upright in a corner for a minute if you need to. Clipped rather than screwed, leather contracts. No cradle system, you don't get that grind after a while. Dunlop Dual means you can just use the button as an ordinary standard strap pin if you choose to.

 

[sears]

I like loxx but there are so many gray market resellers. I ordered what I thought was a multi pack of strap attachments, which came with only half pieces, no washer. The seller said he sent replacement rings but they haven't arrived, don't know if it's a postal problem, what a hassle. It's a great system but try to make sure you're ordering something blister packed.

 

[LBS-bass]

Just saw these at Sweetwater’s site...same “washer” concept, right? And there’s financing available!
View attachment 3973303

I bought some of these a few years ago but they are too thick to work well with my suede straps. I ended up going to the hardware store to find some washers with a lower profile and have been using them without a problem. Need to buy some more but I have forgotten which ones I purchased, so will be sorting through the bins once again.

 

[zontar]

Just saw these at Sweetwater’s site...same “washer” concept, right? And there’s financing available!
View attachment 3973303

I use those (Easier to find than a beer that has them (& cheaper)-plus I'm not big beer drinker)
they work quite well-except on the guitar that has the old Gibson Posi-Loks on it--which work great.
Not exactly strap locks--but they do the same job.

 

[wraub]

One of my basses had Schallers- They worked well, no issues with loosening, but, I found they had some handling noise in recording situations, so, off.
I have a couple Ibanez basses with the "wing" strap buttons... They worked fine, but they weren't always reliable unless properly aligned, so, off.
All my basses now have standard strap buttons, and, if a retainer is needed, I use rubber washers. Cheap, easy, and quiet.

 

[geesharp]

Loxx strap lock on my Fender jazz and my Ibanez. I love it, on and off easily... however I rarely remove my strap from the bass. I leave the straps on the basses. I only remove the strap when I transport the bass in its case.

 

[Monkey]

I tried different straplock systems and had problems with failures or noise. Many years ago, I decided to attach a dedicated strap for each bass and guitar. I drill two small holes close to the stock strap button, then tie strong twine to secure the strap (see pic).

I feel so much more confident in rehearsals and gigs knowing that my strap is totally secure, and I've never had a failure on hundreds of gigs. There are some downsides, I guess. I have to buy more straps, it's a little bulky in gig bags, and my instruments don't look as pretty hanging on the wall, but the security is so worth it to me.

 

[Marcus Willett]

For many years I used the flush mount Dunlop strap locks. Every system I had tried had some issues so a while back I decided on a whole different approach that works for me.

Each bass I own has it’s own strap that is screwed into the body. They never come off, they never pop out, they are always there and I can never forget a strap. Every once in a while (maybe every other month) I’ll check and make sure they are good and tight and occasionally make adjustments. It works great, the only real downside being that I have to buy multiple straps but I’m a fan of the neoprene type which are fairly cheap so that works out ok.

YMMV