I have always used Schallers, but tried these recently with good success.
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Strap locks, who’s using what brands?
- Thread starter Stewie
- Start date
Since I started playing bass in 1968, I never used strap locks - until last year. I tend not to move much - if at all - when I play, so I always figured "Why bother?" However...
My bass herd has grown over the years, and includes some basses that... well, let's just say that my wallet would be extremely upset, if one of them decided to see if it would bounce. So, I decided that some of my basses should have strap locks. Which ones do I use?
- Schaller. Both my left handed Ricks - an '01 COY 4003, that if not extremely rare, might be unique - and a '73 4001, already had the Schaller strap pins, so it was pretty much a no-brainer. I put a gold set on my '95 Alembic Epic, too. My new Schecter Stiletto Studio lined fretless will probably get the gold Schaller set I have sitting around, too. The Schallers strike me as kind of bulky, but... easy to use, and, being the new "S" ones, very secure...
- Fender. Also easy to install and use, it just seemed natural to put them on my '78 "A" necked Fender Precision Bass. I put them on the thing more for the fact that it weighs more than any other bass I own. But, left handed "A" necked P-Basses are fairly uncommon these days... I also put them on it's little "Mini Me" brother; a Warmoth Mini Precision...
- D'Addario. Very compact and easy to use, but... they don't strike me as being as secure as some others. Definitely better than nothing, though. I have these on my '78 Kramer 450B. Again, more for weight concerns than anything else. It's only outweighed my the P-Bass - and not by very much... And, now we come to -
- Dunlop. TBH, I'm pretty disappointed in these locks, for a couple of reasons. My new, 30" scale Serek Sacramento came to me with Dunlop strap pins installed, and a pair of the strap locks in a plastic bag. The bass is very light, and it's Rick-like shape isn't one that really cries out for strap locks. Still, there they were, so I grabbed a strap that looked nice with the bass, and installed them. However... things I didn't like about them? Well, because of the way they fit on the strap pin, they sit up awfully high. Too high, in my opinion. It's due to the way they attach to the pin - which is another thing I'm not thrilled about. 3 tiny ball bearings in a groove is... clever, but doesn't strike me as all that secure. Especially as it depends on very close tolerances - and very, very minimal wear over time. But, for the week or so they were on the bass, I had no other complaints - except for one. The cheesy, faux e-clips that hold the strap locks together...
Two days ago, I found a strap that is perfect for the Serek. No problem, I thought; I'll just move the straplocks to the new strap, and all will be well. That's when I discovered that Dunlop's e-clips are not made of tempered spring steel - like all the other circlips and e-clips I've ever dealt with in a life of working on car and motorcycle engines, and other machinery. The ones on these straplocks are made of simple carbon steel - and have virtually no "spring" in them at all. After removing them - with minimal force, I might add - I discovered that they were now permanently deformed, and even after squeezing them back to the correct diameter (something you should never have to do), they were... useless. So, yesterday I went on a search for REAL, 3/8" e-clips. I found them at Lowe's; perfect fit, and they'll work every time you want, or need, to move the straplocks. They only cost $1.30/pair, but I shouldn't have had to replace the stupid things in the first place...
Bottom line? I'm more disappointed than impressed with the Dunlops; to the point that I probably won't put them on that really nice new strap. The Serek - for the time being - will be one of the majority of my basses. The ones without strap locks...
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I've switched over to Fender rubber washers. They are simple and foolproof. I have two electric basses, each has it's own strap. Cheap too.
I'm afraid, those were not Dunlops. Dunlops have 4 balls, thus if one fails, they're usable, unless the second fails.
Warwick locks have 3 balls, thus more unreliable.
Installed D'addario elliptical end pins instead of strap locks for the last 10 years on 6 different basses. Haven't failed me yet.
D
Over a year now from my quoted post and dunlops are still working great. I have them on all my basses that I play. No issues. Easy to swap a strap from one axe to another. I’ve only swapped the hardware from one strap to another a couple times and the e clips held up. Also they can be used with a strap without the hardware…. Well at least a new strap that doesn’t have a stretched out hole.Since I started playing bass in 1968, I never used strap locks - until last year. I tend not to move much - if at all - when I play, so I always figured "Why bother?" However...
My bass herd has grown over the years, and includes some basses that... well, let's just say that my wallet would be extremely upset, if one of them decided to see if it would bounce. So, I decided that some of my basses should have strap locks. Which ones do I use?
- Schaller. Both my left handed Ricks - an '01 COY 4003, that if not extremely rare, might be unique - and a '73 4001, already had the Schaller strap pins, so it was pretty much a no-brainer. I put a gold set on my '95 Alembic Epic, too. My new Schecter Stiletto Studio lined fretless will probably get the gold Schaller set I have sitting around, too. The Schallers strike me as kind of bulky, but... easy to use, and, being the new "S" ones, very secure...
- Fender. Also easy to install and use, it just seemed natural to put them on my '78 "A" necked Fender Precision Bass. I put them on the thing more for the fact that it weighs more than any other bass I own. But, left handed "A" necked P-Basses are fairly uncommon these days... I also put them on it's little "Mini Me" brother; a Warmoth Mini Precision...
- D'Addario. Very compact and easy to use, but... they don't strike me as being as secure as some others. Definitely better than nothing, though. I have these on my '78 Kramer 450B. Again, more for weight concerns than anything else. It's only outweighed my the P-Bass - and not by very much... And, now we come to -
- Dunlop. TBH, I'm pretty disappointed in these locks, for a couple of reasons. My new, 30" scale Serek Sacramento came to me with Dunlop strap pins installed, and a pair of the strap locks in a plastic bag. The bass is very light, and it's Rick-like shape isn't one that really cries out for strap locks. Still, there they were, so I grabbed a strap that looked nice with the bass, and installed them. However... things I didn't like about them? Well, because of the way they fit on the strap pin, they sit up awfully high. Too high, in my opinion. It's due to the way they attach to the pin - which is another thing I'm not thrilled about. 3 tiny ball bearings in a groove is... clever, but doesn't strike me as all that secure. Especially as it depends on very close tolerances - and very, very minimal wear over time. But, for the week or so they were on the bass, I had no other complaints - except for one. The cheesy, faux e-clips that hold the strap locks together...
Two days ago, I found a strap that is perfect for the Serek. No problem, I thought; I'll just move the straplocks to the new strap, and all will be well. That's when I discovered that Dunlop's e-clips are not made of tempered spring steel - like all the other circlips and e-clips I've ever dealt with in a life of working on car and motorcycle engines, and other machinery. The ones on these straplocks are made of simple carbon steel - and have virtually no "spring" in them at all. After removing them - with minimal force, I might add - I discovered that they were now permanently deformed, and even after squeezing them back to the correct diameter (something you should never have to do), they were... useless. So, yesterday I went on a search for REAL, 3/8" e-clips. I found them at Lowe's; perfect fit, and they'll work every time you want, or need, to move the straplocks. They only cost $1.30/pair, but I shouldn't have had to replace the stupid things in the first place...
Bottom line? I'm more disappointed than impressed with the Dunlops; to the point that I probably won't put them on that really nice new strap. The Serek - for the time being - will be one of the majority of my basses. The ones without strap locks...
Use what works for ya, I do
I hear ya, but... since the big washers that the e-clips sit on are stamped with "JIM DUNLOP ORIGINAL STRAPLOK"? I'm pretty sure that they're Dunlops. However... yes, you are right about the little locking balls. There are, indeed, 4 of them. Guess I hit the wrong key; I tend to do that at 2 am. But, my point is that the whole thing's dependent on lack of wear, and very high precision. Which makes me... just a little nervous.
I'm happy for you. However, such is not the case with the ones I have. Mild carbon steel is a very poor choice for e-clips; there is little to no "rebound" to the original shape. Enough to return, if you tease the clip on; maybe enough to return if you tease it off. That might work... twice, if you're lucky. Maybe even 3 times, if GOD loves you, and you win the lottery once a month. But, that isn't how e-clips are supposed to work. They're made of spring still because they're supposed to be removed and re-used. Which I've done... well, a lot. Maybe Dunlop got stiffed with these things - and I got stuck with a set of them; maybe not. And, maybe, with the new, real e-clips I had to buy, I'll use them - and maybe I won't. But, like I said above; the way they lock - and how high they sit - makes me inclined towards "not"...Over a year now from my quoted post and dunlops are still working great. I have them on all my basses that I play. No issues. Easy to swap a strap from one axe to another. I’ve only swapped the hardware from one strap to another a couple times and the e clips held up. Also they can be used with a strap without the hardware…. Well at least a new strap that doesn’t have a stretched out hole.
Use what works for ya, I do
But, my point is that the whole thing's dependent on lack of wear, and very high precision. Which makes me... just a little nervous.
all straplocks might fail and all of them require preventive maintenance. for Dunlops that's lubricating and inspecting for fallen out or stuck balls and that's not a lot. players like Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten trust their precious instruments to this straplock system.
this said, I moved from Dunlops to Schallers and don't regret it, somehow they are more ergonomic to me. the most bugging thing for me in Dunlops was the need to check if the lock really locked, on Schallers it's much more easy: if it clicked, it locked.
p.s. you get the most fun with straplocks once you choose one system, you like the best, so all your straps can be used on all instruments
so go ahead, pick your favorite and use it, not multiple systems. both Dunlop and Schaller are good reputed systems, so it's safe to use one of those.
I'd strongly advice against Planet Waves (D'Addario) if we're talking about those. really fragile and tend to fail shortly even with light usage.
so go ahead, pick your favorite and use it, not multiple systems. both Dunlop and Schaller are good reputed systems, so it's safe to use one of those.
I'd strongly advice against Planet Waves (D'Addario) if we're talking about those. really fragile and tend to fail shortly even with light usage.
I’ve used Schallers for about 30 years but I’m gradually moving away from them. They work well and they’re secure but I got tired of squeaks and rattles and of checking to make sure the nut is tight. I have one bass that came to me with Dunlops and they seem a little better made but not really enough to sway me.
Over the course of the last couple of years, every time I do a setup on one of my instruments I’ve been switching back to standard strap buttons and these:
On my G&L and Musicman basses the strap buttons are secure enough that I don’t use anything anymore.
I bought a whole load of those Dunlop Lock-Strap discs but when I use them up I may just start buying Grolsh because… beer.
Over the course of the last couple of years, every time I do a setup on one of my instruments I’ve been switching back to standard strap buttons and these:
They’re cheap, reliable, quiet and they work just fine.
On my G&L and Musicman basses the strap buttons are secure enough that I don’t use anything anymore.
I bought a whole load of those Dunlop Lock-Strap discs but when I use them up I may just start buying Grolsh because… beer.
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D'addario elliptical end pins. Damn it Jim I'm a Bass player not a gymnast .Installed D'addario elliptical end pins instead of strap locks for the last 10 years on 6 different basses. Haven't failed me yet.
- Sep 26, 2005
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@GIBrat51 thats sad to read about the Dunlops. I relied upon those through my 20s (flush mount near the neck, regular Duo near the bridge) and they definitely were spring steel clips back in the late 90s-2000s. Never lubed, lots of bouncing & swinging, the four balls never lost their hold. “Case hardened” was something I am pretty sure used to be printed on the packaging and it all felt like Craftsman Tools level quality.
I’ve been a mellow dude playing mellow music since my crash in ‘14 and haven’t bought a new set of Straploks since a few years before that. I kinda hope Serek accidentally got some counterfeit Dunlops and Dunlop hasn’t contracted lower spec manufacture on these.
I’ve been a mellow dude playing mellow music since my crash in ‘14 and haven’t bought a new set of Straploks since a few years before that. I kinda hope Serek accidentally got some counterfeit Dunlops and Dunlop hasn’t contracted lower spec manufacture on these.
Well... I admit that the strap lock part does work quite well. My only real problem with them aside from the POS e-clip - is that they stick up quite high - and frankly, they just look ridiculously large on that little Sacramento body. A dollar for a pair of real E-clips fixed that problem; they're ready to use - on the right bass. And, I do have a bass or 6 that they'd work just fine on - and not look like a hideously large wart, either. I had a leftover set of Schaller strap pins from a set of strap locks (the Rick 4003 had the pins already), so... the Serek's sporting those now. Maybe I'll get some locks for it, but the strap I put on it is pretty tight. And, the bass is quite light, too; so, we'll see...
Dunlop on every bass since 1988/1989, so 35 years now. Never a failed one in well over 200 sets!
