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What kind of straplocks do you use?
- Thread starter Balog
- Start date
I use this :
DualLock Strap Lock | Accessories | D'Addario
The D'Addario Dual-Lock Strap Lock provides a low-cost alternative to strap security for additional instrument protection. Without need of modification, the Dual-Lock clips onto your existing strap button to prevent your strap from releasing accidentally. Additionally, the Dual-Lock can be...www.daddario.com
View attachment 7213173
Same. Why mutilate your bass when you don't need to?
D
I have never trusted Dunlops after I had two separate ones fail during a gig. They weren't even that old, maybe around 2 years. Those tiny ball bearings seem to wear out rather fast.
I changed to Schallers and I've never had any problems since. With the Schallers you can also mount the straplocks in a position where they will support the weight of the bass even if the mechanism should fail, which means that unlike the Dunlops the bass won't hit the floor. I've never had a set of Schallers fail, and I used them for around 20 years of extensive gigging.
Gotoh products are usually top quality, but the description on their website got me a little bit worried:
"This is a newly-designed Strap Lock which makes it possible to easily put it on or take it off with just one turn."
Just one turn... That sounds to me like something that might happen unintentionally on stage... I haven't actually tried them though.
Grolsch rubber washers work fine too. If you're not a beer drinker Thomann's Harley Benton brand sell rubber washer straplocks considerably cheaper than the rather overpriced ones (obviously) from Fender.
I changed to Schallers and I've never had any problems since. With the Schallers you can also mount the straplocks in a position where they will support the weight of the bass even if the mechanism should fail, which means that unlike the Dunlops the bass won't hit the floor. I've never had a set of Schallers fail, and I used them for around 20 years of extensive gigging.
Gotoh products are usually top quality, but the description on their website got me a little bit worried:
"This is a newly-designed Strap Lock which makes it possible to easily put it on or take it off with just one turn."
Just one turn... That sounds to me like something that might happen unintentionally on stage... I haven't actually tried them though.
Grolsch rubber washers work fine too. If you're not a beer drinker Thomann's Harley Benton brand sell rubber washer straplocks considerably cheaper than the rather overpriced ones (obviously) from Fender.
Dunlop on ALL my basses. Too many issues in the past with Schallers.
Dunlop with the exception of Schallers on one bass. The new-design Schaller strap-ends are a marked improvement over the originals.
Riis
i got onto schallers years ago and have depended on them. i use the same strap with any ax. too easy.
I have Dunlops, Schaller, and Gotoh. The Gotohs have a thumb stud that you turn to get the strap locked in place. Same stud has to be turned for removal. Setup is extremely secure as long as you get it locked in place properly when attaching the strap. I lock them and give the lock a quick pull to make sure it fully engaged. I do the same for Dunlop and Schaller as well. Only time I have ever had a strap come loose from any brand lock was when it was never locked in place to begin with.
The Gotoh setup is secure as long as you get it locked in place. If you look at the photos, you can see the cam mechanism that you are turning to release the lock. Not something that is going to suddenly give out unless it was not fully engaged when attaching the strap. Engagement is easy to verify with a quick check during install. SLR - G-GOTOH
As far as unintentionally removing the Gotoh, not going to happen (assuming properly installed to begin with). If I have one complaint with the Gotoh it is that I find it to be the hardest to remove the strap from three brands I use. Lock does not release until thumb stud fully turned. If there is pressure pulling against the lock at all, the stud becomes difficult to turn (good thing for security, not great for rapid removal, I will take the added security).
I hated to do it with Dunlops when my axe was in my hands. and yes, without assuring this they failed to lock for me sometimes.
Schallers don't need it: if they clicked, they locked.
Sure, but with the Schallers you get to check that the strap retainer is not coming unscrewed (even had it happen once on the new set screw style set). I like the Schallers. Calling out Schaller issues as all of the locks have their tradeoffs. Blindly trusting them to work every time instead of doing a 5 second check is asking for problems. Everyone is going to have their preference (including what they do/do not want to double check). I have things I like/dislike about all 3 (which is why I use all 3).
My use of Dunlop Dual Designs is fully due to that being the first set I used. They are probably my least favorite of the three, but I have more of them than any other brand. They also still work great for me, which is why I have not replaced them with other brands.
Dunlop Dual Designs
Pros:
- Allows use of strap without lock.
- Looks like a more traditional strap button.
- Easy to find.
- Low profile on the strap.
Cons:
- If it fails/is not attached correctly, strap may come off; this is why I always check lock engagement when installing.
- Attachment to strap uses a lock pin that is a pain to install if you use thicker straps (which is what I use).
Schaller S-Locks (new version)
Pros:
- If it fails to lock, it should still hold your bass. (seems to be the most popular reason for choosing this set; I agree the design has a good backup built in)
- If you are using an acoustic, there are S-Lock compatible jack pin adapters.
Cons:
- New design has screw built into the guitar strap button; I prefer being able to swap the screw in the event I need a different size (yes I know Schaller sells them in multiple sizes; I have had to buy S/M/L sizes for various instruments).
- The strap side is easy to install, but you need to make sure you get everything secure or it could work its way loose (not something that is going to happen with Dunlop as it is either holding together or completely falling apart).
- Strap side profile; I am not a huge fan of the extra length for the pull release.
Gotoh SLR
Pros:
- Of the three, this one feels the most secure when locked in place (that cam is not going to suddenly unlock).
- Matches Gotoh hardware colors (I first tried these when I wanted to match Cosmic Black on my Ibanez GVB36).
Cons:
- Strap side is tightened down with a nut; easy to install on any thickness strap, but may work its way loose (get it tight, consider using low grade loctite).
- Similar to Dunlop, failing to attach correctly means it is going to come off (no designed in backup like Schaller).
- More learning curve with this set than Schaller or Dunlop; not difficult to learn how to use, but not as obvious to assemble/use as Schaller/Dunlop.
Edit:
Random additional info of my use; noting in case some sets have problems with age. I have not had to replace a set due to any kind of failure yet from any of the brands listed.
- Dunlop - Currently have 10 sets; started using over 25 years ago
- Schaller - Currently have 3 sets; started using in 2020
- Gotoh - Currently have 2 sets; started using in 2024
Last edited:
I recently starting using these from D'addario. Designed by Ned Steinberger!
www.daddario.com
Universal Strap Lock System | Accessories | D'Addario
D'Addario's Universal Strap Locks, designed by Ned Steinberger, give you the certainty and peace of mind that your instrument and strap are firmly locked in place. With hassle-free installation, our Strap Locks make it quick and easy Strap Buttons are available in black, gold, and nickel
www.daddario.com
I only use Schallers now! I had a Fender strap lock (that came with a guitar) the pull knob came unscrewed with made it impossible to get off. I had to use needle nose pliers and get aggressive! Needless to say, I will never use them again!
I much prefer Dunlop dual design strap locks. I have them on all my instruments but two: My two Rics. Ric strap buttons are threaded in, so installing Dunlops would require drilling out the holes instead of a direct swap. So, the two Rics have Ric-specific Schaller strap locks on them...which I definitely don't like as much as the Dunlops, but oh well, they do the job, though.
well, there is a counter-screw and it works. the lock might start rotating when the strap end wears out, but for me this typically happens on a new strap once or twice, next they don't need tightening for years. but unscrewed? not on a new design!
the thing that I periodically check on my Schallers is 'whether the button got unscrewed and doesn't sit flush', I got a couple of those occasions with the new locks, but over the use locks and buttons make a better fit and this didn't happen for me in several years yet. this said, I also had this problem with Dunlops (which is quite surprising, as they're notably proner to this by design).
the thing that bugs me most with the new Schallers is that the lock part on the strap is kinda heavy. if you're not careful, it's easier to dent your instrument with this, than with more lightweight ones.
this said, they're two things that I didn't like in Dunlop:
1. they need lubricating and the grease can get over my folded strap or gigbag
2. they really need to be checked 'if they locked', I've almost dropped my bass a couple of times when I was forgetting this
at the end, it looks like I prefer Schaller mostly for subjective ergonomic reasons, I'm just able to reliably lock and unlock them faster and easier.
I recently starting using these from D'addario. Designed by Ned Steinberger!
Universal Strap Lock System | Accessories | D'Addario
D'Addario's Universal Strap Locks, designed by Ned Steinberger, give you the certainty and peace of mind that your instrument and strap are firmly locked in place. With hassle-free installation, our Strap Locks make it quick and easy Strap Buttons are available in black, gold, and nickel
careful, I tried them and they failed for me like very soon with light usage. the replacement set also failed.
I think, there was a post somewhere with more details.
I use the Home Depot rubber washers that cost a tenth of the Dunlops. Sone people use the Grolsch beer washers that are expensive but the packaging makes you happy.
