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Straplock Issue

J

JLGBss

May 23, 2024
45
26
#1
I've added a Jim Dunlop straplock to my Spector Euro.
All's working fine, but the screw that holds the bit attached to the horn that the strap bit clicks into has worked loose (yeah, don't know the terminology, hahaha!).
I think it's because of the way the bass hangs; it's not hanging straight down; it hangs so that the strap is pulling slightly away from the body and so puts stress on the fitting.
I hope that make sense.
I have to tighten it fairly frequently, but when I do so, I have to be careful because it's threatening to strip the hole in the body.
Any suggestions on how to fix the thing in place once and for all, or at least so that I don't have to tighten it every now and again, and fear stripping the hole?
Would filler do it?

As always, thanks again for any and all advice.
 
Last edited:
#2
JLGBss said:
I've added a Jim Dunlop straplock to my Spector Euro.
All's working fine, but the screw that holds the bit attached to the horn that the strap bit clicks into has worked loose (yeah, don't know the terminology, hahaha!).
I think it's because of the way the bass hangs; it's not hanging straight down; it hangs so that the strap is pulling slightly away from the body and so puts stress on the fitting.
I hope that make sense.
I have to tighten it fairly frequently, but when I do so, I have to be careful because it's threatening to strip the hole in the body.
Any suggestions on how to fix the thing in place once and for all, or at least so that I don't have to tighten it every now and again, and fear stripping the hole?
Would filler do it?

As always, thanks again for any and all advice.
Click to expand...
My regular button loosens up too. I bushed the hole with some wood slivers. That helped some, but still need to check that screw periodically. It was worse when I had straploks.
 
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#6
Super, super common problem.

The suggestion to use wood splinters / toothpick /matchstick (wooden)/ bamboo skewers is the way to go. No need to glue.

What I do is fill the screw hole with as many toothpicks as will fit, run the screw back in, run it back out, put in more toothpicks.

I do this as many times as necessary until the screw becomes slightly difficult to reinstall, then put the strap button back on. In 35 years, I've had zero failures or other issues.
 
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#8
The toothpicks and glue trick should take care of it. You probably don't even need to use glue. A fairly common problem, but I find it kind of odd in this case in that if the Spector came with Schaller straplocks ....I know my USAs did...don't know about the Euros, ....but the Dunlop Dual Design strap buttons come with larger screws than the Schallers. That should have been tight to swap over from the get go.

I don't like any kind of straplock, period. Particularly Schallers. Once the metal bits start binding, they make the buttons begin to unscrew themselves. And those buttons are too little to rely on as a regular strap button. The Dunlop Dual Design works best for me as a regular button, without all the extra strap hardware clanking around.
 
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#9
This is the big problem with straplocks. Because they are taller than usual, they put a lot more stress on the strap button to pull it sideways, and they wear out the hole. Been there. Also - one brand of straplocks may not be compatible with another.

I found a better solution! The Planet Waves football shaped strap buttons. Because of the shape, you must turn the strap 90 degrees to get it off, and they are no taller than regular buttons - AND they work with all straps. A brilliant solution!

1725031567928.png
 
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#10
Minimalist said:
Remove strap button, cut a tooth pick or match to length, dip them in wood glue, enter into screw hole, reattach button, let dry for at least 24 hours.
Click to expand...
This. I done this on dozens of guitars. Use regular white glue. It doesn’t take a lot.

Take out the screw, insert a few pieces of glue covered toothpicks, reinsert the screw and let it dry overnight. Problem solved.
 
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#11
Square said:
This. I done this on dozens of guitars. Use regular white glue. It doesn’t take a lot.

Take out the screw, insert a few pieces of glue covered toothpicks, reinsert the screw and let it dry overnight. Problem solved.
Click to expand...
JLGBss said:
I've added a Jim Dunlop straplock to my Spector Euro.
All's working fine, but the screw that holds the bit attached to the horn that the strap bit clicks into has worked loose (yeah, don't know the terminology, hahaha!).
I think it's because of the way the bass hangs; it's not hanging straight down; it hangs so that the strap is pulling slightly away from the body and so puts stress on the fitting.
I hope that make sense.
I have to tighten it fairly frequently, but when I do so, I have to be careful because it's threatening to strip the hole in the body.
Any suggestions on how to fix the thing in place once and for all, or at least so that I don't have to tighten it every now and again, and fear stripping the hole?
Would filler do it?

As always, thanks again for any and all advice.
Click to expand...
Another vote for toothpicks.
 
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#14
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#17
Minimalist said:
Remove strap button, cut a tooth pick or match to length, dip them in wood glue, enter into screw hole, reattach button, let dry for at least 24 hours.
Click to expand...

THIS! I've had to do this a couple/few times over four decades (various types of strap buttons) -- but never with the same button, it works that well.
 
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#19
bwoodman said:
No can do - you have to use the screw supplied….
Click to expand...

not really if we're talking about Dunlops, not the S-locks.

I've used stock screws with Dunlop locks on many instruments with great success, for some I had to trim the heads.

the best part of it is you can easily revert to original buttons if you'll want to, i.e. you don't make any modifications to your instrument.
 

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