- Jul 11, 2005
- 3,114
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- Gecko Leatherworks
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Straplocks?
- Thread starter boabski2k
- Start date
Not sure what you mean exactly. If you want to keep the nut from unscrewing, just put a drop of LocTite Blue on it. Also, use a properly sized box-end wrench to tighten it up. I have a few straps that have had the same Schaller strap locks sitting on them for over 10 years...and the nuts are still just as tight as they were on day 1.
If you mean the strap button pulled out of the bass, that means it wasn't installed properly to begin with. The screw that holds the Schaller button in place is thinner (but slightly longer) than the screw that holds a typical Fender-sized strap button in place. So, you might need to fill the hole using a toothpick and wood glue.
I've been using Schaller strap locks for at least 20 years. I've never had one fail.
With the metal on metal friction of the strap lock aganist the body pin, the constant movement of the two parts together can , and does back the screws out of the wood. I use the Shallers with stock larger factory Fender screws, and they still back out.
I've cranked down the nuts with a boxed end on the nut, and a pair of vise grips holding the back side, and STILL had the nuts come off. Overall they work well, but paying attention , and checking them every now and again certainly helps. Locktite helps.
Now, if you stand like a statue on stage, this might not be a problem, but I can tell you that the screws DO back out, even if they are tight and glued in place. I have to tighten mine fairly regularly. I had one come loose and tear out of the bass recently on a show. As always, I was glad I had a backup.
Usually it's the rear one that comes loose. The one on the upper horn doesn't seem to be an issue on my basses.Good that you've never had an issue, but that doesn't mean they are without issues.
As stated before, others say they've used Dunlops for 20 years with no problems, but my guitar player lost a Gibson Flying V on stage with Dunops, resulting in a broken off tuners.
Non of these designs are fool proof.
...but if something bumps the spring clip retainer loose, or it just plain wears out, the instrument is on the floor.
Saw it happen to my guitar player, and as I said before, it damaged the guitar (snapped the G tuner clean off) to the point where he had to switch to his back up.
Thankfully, he is smart enough to bring a back up.
The Schallers work fine with regular guitar straps too. My 89 Fender came stock with them, and I've never used the locks on that one, just a regular strp.
Haven't had this happen in thousands of gigs over a 20 year period
Haven't had this happen in thousands of gigs over a 20 year period
That doesn't mean it can't happen though.
Guitar players been using the Dulops for at LEAT 10 years (probalby more) , before I saw one fail.
We both took a look at the lock set up after to try and figure out what happend, and it was definitly the spring clip/retainer had just worn out (metal on metal wear) to the point where it slipped out of place, and the result was a broken guitar.
I prefer Dunlops, I found that the little knob on the Schallers that you pull to release the lock comes unscrewed far too easily. One of my locks fell apart right before a gig, and I just managed to repair it in time. Ditched the Schallers right after that.
As you've said yourself, nothing is foolproof. Even using rubber grommets isn't foolproof. They can tear or slip off or you can forget them at home or drop one in the sewer etc. etc.
The strap button can work loose even if you use no straplocks. It's just a thin screw in soft wood. Straplocks are designed to prevent the common problem (strap getting pulled off the button) without forcing you to permanently attach the strap to your bass (which can make putting it into a case difficult/impossible). I think they do that job pretty darn well.
LocTite Blue is the key. And like anything mechanical, it pays to do some preventive maintenance every once in a while. It's easy enough to check whether the nut is still tight. Takes all of 5 seconds.
Agreed.
Did you ever ask yourself how many times the guitar might have fallen in those 10+ years if you HADN'T used strap locks?
How do you know that your Grolsch beer grommets would never have failed after 10+ years of use?
Absolutely. It's amazing how much gets loose after a year of use. It's one of the main things to keep the guitar in shape -- go through all the screws and anything else to make sure they are tight. That would eliminate most of the strap-pin problems.
I've been using the Schallers for years, and continue to use them on all my working basses.
The point I'm wanting to make is just that you STILL have to pay attention with strap locks.
It's not like you install them, and they never need to be looked at again.
That's actually one of the things I prefer about the Schalers, is that you can easily SEE when something isn't right or loose.
Can't say that about the Dunlops
i had a set of Schallers once i didnt think much of them either i had a faulty pair or there prone to coming undone either way its put me right off them
now i use these cheap plastic things that are like 2 disks (one on top of the other) with a hole cut in them you slip them over the strap button and rotate the disks they've never let me down and i do work my bass's fairly hard (lifetime maiden fan so the bass gets used as a prop)
at the end of the day if your using your bass so hard and doing stunts so extreme that your threading screws and snapping locks then it might be an idea to put the bass down n take up the drums that way if you snap a stick or put a skin through its considered "cool"
where as a bass player dropping his bass is usually met with the audience yelling "whay hay loooooooser"
now i use these cheap plastic things that are like 2 disks (one on top of the other) with a hole cut in them you slip them over the strap button and rotate the disks they've never let me down and i do work my bass's fairly hard (lifetime maiden fan so the bass gets used as a prop)
at the end of the day if your using your bass so hard and doing stunts so extreme that your threading screws and snapping locks then it might be an idea to put the bass down n take up the drums that way if you snap a stick or put a skin through its considered "cool"
where as a bass player dropping his bass is usually met with the audience yelling "whay hay loooooooser"
I'm NOT advocating that people don't use locks. I AM pointing out that they aren't fool proof.
Again, I use Schallers on my working basses.
I've never used Grolsch beer gromemets so I can't comment on those.
I saw him lose one once or twice in the many years before he used strap locks.
I put locks on my working basses after catching my vintage Fender as it came off the starp once back a number of years ago.
Fortunately mine didn't hit the floor.
Whatever you pick, don't pick proline straplocks. My strap fell of twice so I ended up putting the strap under the part it's supposed to be attached to (if that makes any sense). Now I use Dunlop 'cause that's my bass teach suggested. It hasn't failed yet, but I haven't gigged with the bass I installed them on.
Guess I've been stupid for the past 23 years (with ZERO failures from my Schallers, used for hundreds of gigs) eh?
What a silly statement.
Cheers!
Anyone that spends $30 on something that is less effective than 2 $0.50 washers is silly imo. I like the idea of the grolsch washers as well, just an excuse to drink a couple of nice beers 
