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Strap locks

F

Funkykat

Apr 21, 2013
3
0
#1
Hello!

I hope this is the right subforum to post in.

I want to buy strap locks for my boyfriends Ibanez BTB after he unfortunately dropped it ones during a gig.

My question now, and please excuse my maybe silly question:
Are these strap locks (the screws) a standard size or do they differ from bass to bass?

I looked at the Dunlop Dual-Design Straplok System and am inclined to buy him those. Since it's a gift, I do not want to ask him. He can always swap them later I think.

Appreciate any help :hyper:
 
#2
This is a good choice and frequently utilized as stock gear on new basses by more than a handful of bass manufacturers. The dual-design is preferred as they can be used with the proprietary locking strap-ends or with a conventional strap. Relatively inexpensive @ ~$15.

Riis
 
#5
Usually the screws with the strap locks are ever so slightly bigger than the standard screws. I have never had a problem installing them in any bass either American made or cheap Chinese imports.
 
#8
Oooh, I like your thinking, solderjunkie. I might just see, if I can do that :-)

I'm located in New Orleans. Guitar Centre is actually not too far.

Good to know, you never has issue installing them, klaus486. I just have not much an idea and thought I'd rather ask you guys. :-)


Thank you all so much.
 
#9
Funkykat said:
My question now, and please excuse my maybe silly question:
Are these strap locks (the screws) a standard size or do they differ from bass to bass?
Click to expand...

You can probably retrofit with no modification necessary. If the Dunlop screws happen to be smaller than the existing screws, you can put a toothpick in the screwhole for proper traction.

Funkykat said:
I looked at the Dunlop Dual-Design Straplok System and am inclined to buy him those. Since it's a gift, I do not want to ask him. He can always swap them later I think.
Click to expand...

I've been playing 30 years, and the Dunlop Dual-Design is my favorite system BY FAR. I used Schallers for a decade, but IMO they are not much better than a standard (unlocked) button, and arguably worse because of the false sense of security -- failures have happened with bandmates as well as myself. I've now been using Dunlops for well over a decade and I've had zero problems with them.
 
#14
I use a couple of the red plastic washers from Grolsch beer. They hold secure, keep the strap close to the bass body, require no modification to your bass, and, as has been noted by another TalkBasser, are the only strap locks that come with free beer.
 
#15
Stevorebob said:
I use a couple of the red plastic washers from Grolsch beer. They hold secure, keep the strap close to the bass body, require no modification to your bass, and, as has been noted by another TalkBasser, are the only strap locks that come with free beer.
Click to expand...

I actually think I like grolsch washers the best. Most of my basses actually have those.
 
#16
I use the Grolsch style gaskets too. Have for years, never let me down.

If you lose them or rip them, they are as cheap as can be - under $10 for 100...or free if you like drinking Grolsch beer!

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I end up giving a bunch away all the time when folks ask about them.

I don't like metal parts on straps - buckles, sliders, conchos, and especially strap locks. I can find enough ways to ding up my guitars and basses...I don't need any help!
 
#18
Funkykat said:
Oooh, I like your thinking, solderjunkie. I might just see, if I can do that :-)

I'm located in New Orleans. Guitar Centre is actually not too far.

Good to know, you never has issue installing them, klaus486. I just have not much an idea and thought I'd rather ask you guys. :-)


Thank you all so much.
Click to expand...

Since you're in New Orleans I was going to recommend Strange Guitar works. http://www.strangeguitarworks.com/
Ben is a member on talkbass, but seems like he's on tour.
Anyway good place to go for future reference. He may hook it up too if you say you discovered him on TB.

Edit:Seems he'll be back on the 23rd.
 
#19
I wouldn't be without straplocks, but you should think twice before sneaking off to a music shop with his bass and getting them fitted.
The structural change is trivial (remove two woodscrews, insert two more with the straplocks) but it's HIS bass and however well meant he is unlikely to be comfortable with a change being made to it that he didn't agree to.
Just buy the straplocks and hand them over: he can fit them himself in a few minutes. And they are available in a black or chrome finish: give some thought to which one suits his bass best.
 
#20
Osprey said:
I wouldn't be without straplocks, but you should think twice before sneaking off to a music shop with his bass and getting them fitted.
The structural change is trivial (remove two woodscrews, insert two more with the straplocks) but it's HIS bass and however well meant he is unlikely to be comfortable with a change being made to it that he didn't agree to.
Just buy the straplocks and hand them over: he can fit them himself in a few minutes. And they are available in a black or chrome finish: give some thought to which one suits his bass best.
Click to expand...

+1

Great idea. I think it would be a very nice gesture for someone to buy me strap locks. However, I am the type of person that puts some thought into my gear. It might take some of the joy out of a thoughtful purchase if they are the type of person that either likes to do things themselves, or likes to agonizes over two or three options when it comes to a purchase.
 

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