to strap lock or not to strap lock...

[Landy67]

My Godin's came with Schallers so I decided to use them. I haven't' seen a problem with the nut coming lose from the strap, or having them fall off. I leave the strap on the bass when I put it in the gig bag, and I have noticed the bottom of the gig bag is getting pretty thin from the straplock.

I did drop the bass on the end pin a couple of weeks ago and now it won't release. My project today to to see what I messed up.

 

[delta7fred]

The first time my bass took a plummet floor-wards convinced me that strap locks were a good idea. I was young at the time with quick reactions and I caught it just before it hit the floor, today it would no doubt end with battle scars.

Every bass and guitar I own now has Schallers fitted, about 16 at the last count. I periodically go round and make sure all nuts and screws are tight (it's called routine maintenance).

A small price to pay for peace of mind.

 

[Feral Feline]

Even with straplocks, I've had straps themselves fail, and a geetar's strap-button screw strip out of the mahogany.

As for the Kluson screw-type strap locks mentioned earlier in the thread (similar to Gretsch strap buttons, no?), I've found that tightening them in turn torques the button screw leading to stripping of the wood around the button-screw. I've also tried to loosen a Gretsch screw-on strap retainer and since the lock-screw and strap-button screw were too tight or corroded/bonded together, the button screw loosened and came right out of the wood.

BTW, shouldn't the third option in the poll be:
"Who cares - I want carrots ;-)"
or
"Who cares - I want carrot-pizza ;-)"

 

[iriegnome]

I use Jim Dunlop strap locks on every single bass and guitar I own. I have never drilled out anything. I buy a case for everything and strap locks for everything. Required purchases. I would not use any of my
basses without them. Bought my first pair in 1982. Had them on everything ever since.

 

[tastybasslines]

This thread encouraged me to try the Grolsch washers. Not only were they super cheap, I don't think I'll ever go back to regular straplocks - they work pretty good. Here is the best part: I do not have to take the lock of the bottom of the bass before I put it down. With regular locks, the bass is elevated and has no balance, and puts pressure on straplock screw and/or to widen the hole. Now, it's flat, and I never have to take the straps off any of my basses, which is really nice. I wish I had done this a while ago!

 

[Hypnotaize]

I just put a pair on my bass, don't remember what type, but they didn't require any drilling. I'm gonna get the same for my acoustic guitar (gotta get a button installed, too) and my electric.

 

[SunnBass]

Rubber washers/Grolsch gaskets here.

 

[DanGouge]

Just dropped the one bass I have without straplocks after having the strap slip off. So I'll probably get them for that one bass and then they'll all have them. Two have Schallers and one is a Streamer Stage I that came with the flush-mounted Dunlops.

 

[4andnomore]

Never felt the need for strap locks on my p-basses.

 

[davy4575]

dropped one bass years ago. used the schallers ever since. Theres a nut on them...never seen a nut that didnt need periodic re tightening. The locks themselves dont fail, the human that is supposed to do periodic maintenance does.

 

[brotondo]

Strap locks are a must! .
A little drop of Loctite on those nuts keeps em on there real good, probably got to put a little heat on them to get them off again

 

[joenoone]

This thread encouraged me to try the Grolsch washers. Not only were they super cheap, I don't think I'll ever go back to regular straplocks - they work pretty good.

Same here. I got the 100 for $10 off of ebay and am handing them out to all the guitarists / bassists I know. They're just as amazed at how well they work and how cheap they are, and they all like how they don't have to modify their axes either (especially the acoustic guitarists).

 

[Sleeq]

Use these and thank me later.

 

[interp]

Why would you want to use strap locks? Nothing is ever going to happen. You're never going to drop an instrument or have one slip off the strap. Don't worry about it. It couldn't possibly happen to you.

Think about all the fun you can have with the $15 you'll save.

 

[dStar]

I've used Schallers on all my basses for almost 30 years. Wouldn't strap one on without it. Nuff said.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

All schaller all the time. Started the habit back when I did this (fun at @1:15) onstage at Gizarri's in 84...

 

[TheAnalogKid]

All schaller all the time. Started the habit back when I did this (fun at @1:15) onstage at Gizarri's in 84...

THAT.

WAS.

HILARIOUS!!!

What got me rolling in the aisle was the poor kid then turning around, as if to say "Where the hell did my guitar go"? and then watching it plummet to the ground.

Ain't physics a bitch??

 

[JimmyM]

Don't know why you guys think strap locks means you'll never drop your bass. I've had the screws pull out before. Having said that, I use them, but our guitarist doesn't. Number of times he's dropped a guitar: 0. Use a strap that the buttonholes aren't all stretched out, and you won't drop it.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Don't know why you guys think strap locks means you'll never drop your bass.

Some lock systems are better than others. I had a number of failures with Schallers, which is the biggest reason I now use the Dunlop Dual Design: zero failures in over a decade.

That said, no system is 100% reliable. I hope no one actually tried to claim that. Locks reduce risk, they don't eliminate it.

 

[SteveC]

Did I hear someone one the video say that was the second time it has happened?