to strap lock or not to strap lock...

[PWRL]

I use Dunlop strap locks on three of my basses. On my Jazz bass, I have a seat belt strap with fender washers. In that case, I just have to remember to tighten the knobs once in a while. I used to use Schallers but they would pop off now and then, and I'd have to chase the parts down.

 

[Fuzzbass]

i've never used strap locks - i know it seems silly, but i don't like the idea of drilling the holes bigger. on the other hand, i can see where strap locks could be a very good idea. my husband adds strap locks to all his electric guitars, and i'm thinking it would make my basses more secure if i installed 'em.

thoughts? who here uses strap locks and who doesn't?

As with most issues here on TalkBass there's no right or wrong, just personal preference. I've been playing for 30+ years (for what that's worth), here's mine:

In my early years of bass playing starting in the late 70's, I'm not sure strap locks were around. With unlocked straps, I twice had a bass hit the ground and had numerous close calls.

Then I discovered the Schaller straplocks. I preferred those to the early Dunlops because the Schaller button was at least somewhat usable with an unlocked strap. The Schallers were better than no lock, however I constantly struggled with the design flaw: the lock will remain securely attached to the button, however the nut will eventually wiggle loose allowing the strap to fall off of the locked button. Every gig, I had to make sure the nut was tight, but even then it would sometimes come off, causing a number of close calls. I've seen this happen to other bandmates who have used Schallers. The typical recommendation is "well, if you use some Loctite on the Schaller nut, you'll be fine". Probably true, but I had other complaints about the Schallers and decided to use another design entirely. On that note:

Some time after Y2K I discovered the Dunlop Dual Design locks. They have a nice button that works as well as the vintage Fender button with an unlocked strap. Furthermore, the lock always remains attached to the strap, and as long as the lock is firmly seated in the button, it will not come out. Ensuring that the lock is fully seated is amazingly simple. Part of my setup ritual is to give the lock a second (unnecessary) push, just for peace of mind.

To sum up:

• Years of using unlocked straps: numerous failures
• A decade of using the Schaller locks: numerous failures
• A decade of using Dunlop Dual Designs: zero failures

So, I'm completely sold on the Dunlop Dual Designs. I have them on all 6 of my basses, and all of my straps, so I can use any strap with any bass. And again, unlike any other lock I'm aware of, the Dual Designs work reasonably well with an unlocked strap. I've never forgotten to bring a locked strap to a gig, but I have forgotten to bring one to rehearsal on a couple of occasions.

Again, it's personal preference. If you don't move around when you play you might not want to bother with a lock (but I prefer them even when I don't move around).

 

[sPiKi]

I picked these up recently having lost my old Dunlop locks of about 20 yrs at a recent gig...sticky carpet ate them

Had Schallers but even those can give way at times depending on the shapes you're throwing. Quite impressed with these Fender blocks so far.

 

[theduke1]

Dunlop locks on all my basses.
The frist thing I change after I put LaBella black nylon tapes on any new bass in my room

 

[Remyd]

I picked these up recently having lost my old Dunlop locks of about 20 yrs at a recent gig...sticky carpet ate them Had Schallers but even those can give way at times depending on the shapes you're throwing. Quite impressed with these Fender blocks so far.

I also have been pretty impressed with these. Had a bass bounce off the floor a couple weeks ago (no damage) due to a worn strap. Rushed right out to buy a set of locks, but they're a little spendy at my local place. The guy sold me some of the Fender blocks. He was right, I really like 'em.

They're actually on sale at MF right now, although they're so cheap that I'd buy them locally if possible, to save shipping. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/fender-strap-blocks-4-pack

 

[BearCave]

I have strap locks on every single one of my basses save for my Gibson ES-335 bass, but that one will get them eventually. I was pretty big on the Schaller strap locks, but kept having nothing but problems with them coming loose. I thought it was a little ridiculous with doing the whole "toothpick and carpenter's glue" when using them, so I've switched to these...

Link Removed

.....and they are absolutely awesome!

 

[pcake]

a few years ago i used to use these locking guitar straps with plastic ends. they worked great for a couple years, so i stopped thinking about them. then one night in rehearsal, one end failed and my bass dropped - i actually managed to catch it on the way down! when i checked the ends of the strap, the end on the body side's plastic opening had stretched with time and use, allowing the button to fall out. i've been lucky, and haven't had a bass fall with a regular strap, but then i tend to replace them frequently.

thanks for the comments, suggestions and info, all

 

[Callum_Carcass]

I use Dunlop straplocks I've modified to pretty much stay in my Spector Rebop forever. I've got a pair of Schallers on my Michael Kelly, but I'm not a huge fan of them.

 

[los100malditos]

Yeah i use schaller now ... THEY RULE... before that I sew the gap on the leather on the strap ... of course the strap it is permanently attached, but the bass never ever fell off ... and BTW Warwick lock´s sucks ...

 

[Dave W]

I have Dunlops on all of my basses. I've been using them forever.

 

[gregmon79]

i've never used strap locks - i know it seems silly, but i don't like the idea of drilling the holes bigger. on the other hand, i can see where strap locks could be a very good idea. my husband adds strap locks to all his electric guitars, and i'm thinking it would make my basses more secure if i installed 'em.

thoughts? who here uses strap locks and who doesn't?

Im not sure what you mean by drilling bigger holes. Ive never had to do that before. In fact, Ive had to FILL the holes to get a tighter fit for most strap lock systems Ive used. They are so beneficial. I didnt think I would ever need them. Until the first few times I jammed with a band. You may not even need a strap when youre at home, but if you are going to be standing up in any way shape or form, IMO, you need strap locks. Just like you need ear plugs. Anyone can do what they want, but I know for me, I need strap locks. I learned the fast and hard way.

 

[spz8]

I used to use Schallers, but when I bought my BTB and tried to install a new set, the new screws were too small and wouldn't bite into the wood. The original screw heads didn't fit the strap lock recess properly, so I tossed them aside. The BTB strap buttons are huge, so I've never had an issue. Other basses I've since purchased have smaller buttons, but they've gone without strap locks as well, and never had a problem. As long as you're not swinging your bass around doing silly acrobatic BS, I don't think strap lock systems are needed.

 

[Roscoe East]

fwiw, as I wrote elsewhere on TB:

I've had Dunlop Straplocks on one of my basses for ~24 years and have never had to do anything to it, never even needed to look at it, it just works fine. Whereas I had Schaller Straplocks on another bass and I had to tighten the nuts up every couple weeks or else they'd start to come off the strap.

That being said...I now only have Straplocks on that one bass (with the Dunlops). All my other basses have red rubber washers from Grolsch beer bottles. The only advantage I can see to Straplocks over this wonderfully ghetto/hipster solution is if you have to remove the strap to fit the bass in its case; the rubber washers don't come off as easily. (Which is sort of the point!)

 

[Bassdirty]

Always use them myself.

It also turns out ive almost always had to use a larger screw (didnt have to drill though..but I do feel more secure with a longer screw)

Maybe its just been my bass choices. :/

 

[cruzer51]

I never use strap locks and only had two basses that have had their straps come off. Mostly due to my own negligence. I've never really understood the need for them.

 

[Technotitclan]

I have been using Schallers for many years now and never had an issue. Which leads me to ask the question.... Are you guys using a WRENCH to tighten the nut when you install them or are you hand turning it??? I've never needed lock tight. and I never had the nut come loose. I used a proper sized wrench and made that damn thing as tight as I possibly could. It only came off once and that was after reading you guys talk about Schaller failures, I figured I should check mine to be sure. I had made the nut so tight that it took the same wrench AND vise grips for me to get the nut off. I don't want to be condescending here but the only design flaw in the Schallers is user error. I never liked the Dunlop design as it looked like all it took was some small metal dust or moisture to cause failure. I have seen quick release systems the Dunlops are based off fail tons of times.

 

[Kmonk]

The first thing I do when I buy a bass is take it home and install straplocks.

 

[Gaolee]

I have straplocks on everything. Most are Dunlops, because they were cheaper and they work very well. I put Schallers on the Ric because you don't have to change the strap buttons. I have discoverd that I don't like them as well, never mind the unscrewing issue. Getting strap locks onto a thick or padded strap is a bit of a pain, but it is absolutely worthwhile.

 

[collins81]

I used strap locks for a long time, recently i went to the dimarzio clip strap. Love it

 

[hsech]

Cheap insurance for your bass. I use Schaller's on my AVRI 57 P and my 1969 Fender Mustang. I use Planet Waves Eliptical strap buttons on my Gibson SG Basses.