Strap locks, who’s using what brands?

[mikeswals]

Dunlops since 1988.
They make the most sence in design to me. And if I accidetally forget my strap, the "Dual Design" of the button works just like a regular strap button if I borrow someone else's.

 

[Jhass]

I used Schaller for years. Then I changed to Dunlop because I had a neck-heavy bass and the Dunlops extend the strap pin about 1/4” which improves balance. So I switched over to Dunlops on both basses.

But I recently got a new Sandberg SL bass made from Paulownia wood. This wood is relatively soft, and I didn’t want to start swapping out strap pins to install Dunlops. The Sandberg stock pins work perfectly with Schaller strap locks. So everything got swapped back to Schaller.

I have found that putting a TINY drop of light oil into each Schaller every few helps keep things working smoothly.

 

[GreaserMatt]

I've used those rubber washers on Grolsch beer bottles for years with no problems; and I was playing crazy punker dives LOL...

 

[ihixulu]

I really liked Loxx for a spell but the pins kept wearing out under heavy usage.

Now I use Schaller S-Locks and am very happy with them.

 

[thrashingbass]

I believe none are too expensive for the peace of mind of knowing your instrument is safe, no matter what. So do not sweat the price too much-buy what works for you, but remember it's not worth "saving money" if your bass falls.

I love the DiMarzio guitar straps if the bass is light-the 3 inch wide model would also work for me, except it is only offered in plain, 'ol black-no variety for bassists, I suppose (not hating on DiMarzio, love the pickups.)

What I recently installed on another of my Baby Loves are the Schaller S, and these really are great straplocks! See no way they could fail-perhaps a problem with the spring mechanism, but even with that being an unlikely failure, it seems the bass would not fall. Amazing product, IMHO, and not too expensive at all for the expected performance and safety of your bass. Excellent!

 

[Swerve]

I went 20 years without using any strap locks. Only started using the rubber washers because I think they look cool.

 

[Tom Bomb]

Not cheap but the good ones are a steel. Scrap anything brass. Ride the ferrous-
wheel. As a rule, under those conditions, straps last forever. There's your value

Even if an axe never hits the dirt, you'll come out ahead in the end.
​

 

[HP Hovercraft]

I've used those rubber washers on Grolsch beer bottles for years with no problems; and I was playing crazy punker dives LOL...

That's what I use. Definitely some pluses to this method

 

[PeeeBass]

I stated earlier in this thread that I've been a loyal Schaller user for 40+ years.
A month ago I got a bass with gold hardware.
The first straplocks that came up in a Google search were Schaller "S" Locks.
I love everything about these. Longer threaded stems, the treaded washer that has a set screw.
I may have to replace all my straplocks with these now

 

[amper]

I stopped using strap locks so long ago that i can't remember exactly when, which means "at least 20 years ago".

In the mid 90s, I used Schallers, and my primary strap was the leather one that came with my Roland SH-101 monophonic synthesizer that I bought in the mid 80s. But then, probably late 90s, I switched to the DiMarzio nylon straps that use Fastex buckles, with pigtails attached under the strap buttons so they can't come off. By the early 00s, I'd switched to Levy's leather straps, and got rid of the strap locks, entirely

 

[squish]

Rubber washer types are the best. Cheap, no moving parts, quick to install, very effective and plentiful.

 

[Smith357]

Loxx, they are low profile. They are low profile and work very nicely when a strap is attached to the heel. Dunlops and Schaller stick out and stab me in the belly. Loxx uses the same system for attaching boat tarps and Tonneau covers

 

[PeeeBass]

I use Schallers, cause I've never had a reason to try anything else

 

[amper]

When people say that straplocks poke them in their torso, it leaves me wondering how they are holding their instruments and playing them, because I can't think of a situation in which a strap button would or could ever possibly come into contact with my body.

 

[amper]

I love the DiMarzio guitar straps if the bass is light-the 3 inch wide model would also work for me, except it is only offered in plain, 'ol black-no variety for bassists, I suppose (not hating on DiMarzio, love the pickups.)

Luckily for me, I only use black straps, so I was absolutely fine with that when I was using my DiMarzio strap. I also use black braided DiMarzio cables (but also the grey and black braided ones).

 

[Aloe]

When people say that straplocks poke them in their torso, it leaves me wondering how they are holding their instruments and playing them

they likely have a strap button on a neck heel, like on semi-acoustics or Gibsons. or on underside of the upper horn, this also sometimes happens.

 

[thrashingbass]

Luckily for me, I only use black straps, so I was absolutely fine with that when I was using my DiMarzio strap. I also use black braided DiMarzio cables (but also the grey and black braided ones).

Would buy from them a 3 inch Seafoam Green Cliplock right away! But I think I will use another brand for that bass (another P bass of mine.) I absolutely love the short size purple cliplock on one of my shorties (I always need short size, so any models of any brand without that option are immediately disqualified.)

I may buy a "gold" DiMarzio braided cable! Love their look, and I absolutely lack common sense and refined taste. Seriously love their pickups, those always make me smile.

 

[Polfuste]

Dunlop original ones on all my basses and guitar.

 

[Bermuda Ron]

I use these exclusively...nothing mechanical and use the original screws to install w/o issue...EDITED to add you can't get them from StewMac any more, but they're sold in the UK and come in 2 weeks to the US...OR Gotoh oversized strap buttons.

Thanks for posting. Don't like anything attached to my straps, so gonna give these a go. These are on ebay.co.uk for 10 quid, or USA Reverb for $15.

 

[Bassngtr]

I've been using these for 25 years. Will never go back to metal ones.
Dunlop Strap Loks