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Why no straplocks?

#61
When I began playing, I had a new "virgin" strap and the ends were really tight. I would have to wrestle them on every time I wanted to play. One day, I didn't get the strap seated all the way on and the strap came loose on the bridge end. Luckily I'm tall, and had my hand on the neck, so I caught the bass before it hit the ground.

I immediately started researching strap locks. I decided to go with the Schaller, because even if the locking mechanism malfunctions, it "cups" the strap button and won't allow the bass to fall.

As an added benefit, I can click my strap on my bass in a fraction of a second. "Click click" and I'm ready to rock. Can't imagine having to go through putting the strap on, then putting a washer on.

When I play out, I never have to "unstrap" myself from my bass. I just release each end of the strap and put the bass in the stand. The strap goes off stage with me. When I come back on, the strap is hanging over my shoulder...."click click" and I'm ready to rock. Not worries about tangling with my in-ear cord, which is priceless.

A wise man once told me, "Buy the best and cry once". I have spent maybe $75 total on strap locks. Maybe. I know I could have bought a whole lot of washers at my local hardware store for that, but not having to deal with the hassle is worth much more than $75 to me.
 
#64
davidjackson said:
I have to say that although I can't claim 41 years of playing my experience is the same. What do you guys do to need straplocks? Swing the bass around your head each time a song goes well? Use it as a weapon? Play while doing somersaults on a trapese?

I can claim about 16 year playing experience and have never come close to a bass falling of the strap or dropping one while playing standing up. Just can't figure out how we can all have had such different experiences...
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I've got quite a bit less experience than you guys but I've caught my bass/guitars a few times. Not because I was thrashing but just because the strap failed when I was putting it on or off or the strap fell off while I was playing---possibly the cable tucked under the strap worked it off?

They're more useful to me on a guitar---because its short enough to spin the whole thing around and wear it on my back---but I still have them on both of my basses. It's like $15 for a whole lot of convenience and peace of mind. (and on Tele's it gives you somewhere to clip a capo)
 
#69
Guess you don't need them if you don't move very much (although I have had them fall off even when stationary).

If you move even a little when performing, it's a good idea to have them.

A lot of people believe in "It's never happened yet, so it's never going to happen". Each to their own. I prefer a minimal outlay for more security.
 
#70
Chili Bo Billy said:
Playing close to 40 years, I have never needed strap locks.
Recently, i started to use fender washers on my strap ends due to wear and tear,what a cheap alternative to brand name strap lock systems.
$5.00 for a set of 10 washers.works for me.
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I've been playing a long time too and while washers are cheap, they aren't exactly equivalent. I agree with the OP. If you've got a bunch of basses why not have straplocks on all of them? Why not have your straps all interchangeable between all your basses?

So I do. All mine are Dunlops (except one which is Shaller that has its own strap and came with Shallers and I never changed them. I don't like the fact that Shallers tend to unscrew although I do like the cupping mechanism and the fact that you don't have to be careful when locking them (unlike my Dunlops which can come loose if not fully locked).

But I'm sorry, I've had a LOT of experience with ordinary straps, Grohls washers and all the rest and I'm NOT impressed. Ordinary straps over time seem to all stretch out the leather holes and pretty soon the instrument (guitar or bass) is falling off the strap. It soon becomes a balancing act hanging on to your instrument. Straplocks solve it all. Washers help lock things but then you have the extra hassle of dealing with the washer to take the strap on and off.

Just spend the money and solve the problem. A bit of spray on lithium grease is the way to keep Dunlops locking fully and easily.
 
#71
I see it as cheap insurance even though I typically don't strut around with my guitars in spandex pants like David Lee Roth doing "Jump". I use the Dunlops because I have had my son drop my bass off of the strap and don't want to have to kill him after all of the money I have invested in his upbringing. The length actually help my Foundie balance a little better because the top horn is kind of short.
 
#72
sharkwagon said:
I see it as cheap insurance even though I typically don't strut around with my guitars in spandex pants like David Lee Roth doing "Jump". I use the Dunlops because I have had my son drop my bass off of the strap and don't want to have to kill him after all of the money I have invested in his upbringing. The length actually help my Foundie balance a little better because the top horn is kind of short.
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Dave doesn't play guitar in "Jump" :)
 
#73
I know but this was first thing that popped into my head when I thought of crazy stage theatrics. I guess I am dating myself..

david-lee-roth_b.jpg
 
#79
Munjibunga said:
I have either Schaller (preferred) or Dunlop on almost all of my basses. My F Basses have big, bullum strap buttons on them so I don't worry about those. My Fodera and LeCompte both have recessed Dunlops, which I greatly prefer over the standard Dunlops, which have too long of a moment arm.

I keep three or four straps each with Schaller and Dunlop straplocks on them.
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Your F Bass didn't come with Dunlops? Pretty sure all of mine did.

I use one strap for most of my gigging basses and they're all equipped with Dunlop strap hardware, dual like the F bass, the older style like my pre-Gibson Tobias or recessed like many of my Brubakers and the Fodera. I prefer recessed too, cleaner look, still as secure. It takes practically no time to put the strap on... click, pull, done.
 
#80
sayman said:
Guess you don't need them if you don't move very much (although I have had them fall off even when stationary).

If you move even a little when performing, it's a good idea to have them.

A lot of people believe in "It's never happened yet, so it's never going to happen". Each to their own. I prefer a minimal outlay for more security.
Click to expand...

That's my take. Over the years it has happened a couple of times where the strap worked loose, it wasn't a big deal, nothing bad happened, but it still made me a bit nervous.
Maybe I really don't need them, I pretty much just sit there while playing these days, I hardly move around at all. I just feel better knowing they are there. It's worth the 13 bucks to me just for my peace of mind.
 

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