Author Topic: Strap Locks (Read 759 times)

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #15 on:** November 03, 2015, 10:40:03 AM »

Well, I see your point in re luthiers/repairmen, Forest - but I had the honor of knowing the late John Calhoun, who did repairs for the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago - I only know of one build he did, but I'll fight anyone who denies he was a luthier........
Man was a freakin' artist.
And the first person I ever knew with a padded toilet seat.
And the one who taught me the wonders of warm water in the bong.
And, the first time I met him, pulled a NY Martin from under the couch and said Here, try this!

But I have noticed our discussion has been slighting the acoustic side of things; for that, may I suggest Gr?lsch bottle-cap washers? Yeah, you can buy them Fender-branded at 4 for $4, but then you don't get the beer.

Peter

mica · « **Reply #16 on:** November 03, 2015, 11:29:30 AM »

quote:I use Schallers, but I've noticed a problem that nobody else has mentioned: the tall knob on the straplock can get damaged or bent in a tight-fitting guitar case.

Don't you take the strap off when you put the instrument in its case? If not, maybe the woodscrew method would work best for you.

Using threaded inserts in a place where you don't intend to make any adjustments or changes is kinda weird. But if someone just must attach their strap retaining system (see what I did there?) to their instrument with threaded inserts, please please please use Loctite.

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #17 on:** November 03, 2015, 11:40:04 AM »

I know luthiers. I know repair guys. I know a couple that are both. I also know I am a hack, just slightly better than Cletus on a good day. LOL! You guys kill me... we HAVE to get together sometime. I'll bring the NY Martin... you guys are on your own with the Grolsh and the bong. =)

I'll be the obtuse one... I like my Schaller Strap Locks. Never gave 'em a chance before the Alembic Club weighed in. I have a few guitar stands, but out on gigs I NEVER EVER leave my bass in one and walk further away than the next closest person to it. If I am leaving the immediate area, the Alembic goes in the case and gets latched in. It also drives me indiscriminately crazy when people leave an instrument plugged up and in a stand on a set break.

I do have two stands in my practice room that always have an instrument in them, but I didn't even allow the cat in there, back when I had one of the sneaky little critters.

ed_zeppelin · « **Reply #18 on:** November 03, 2015, 12:45:09 PM »

>>> Don't you take the strap off when you put the instrument in its case? If not, maybe the woodscrew method would work best for you.

Using threaded inserts in a place where you don't intend to make any adjustments or changes is kinda weird. But if someone just must attach their strap retaining system (see what I did there?) to their instrument with threaded inserts, please please please use Loctite.

ed_zeppelin · « **Reply #19 on:** November 03, 2015, 12:58:42 PM »

>>>I know luthiers. I know repair guys. I know a couple that are both.

Glynn · « **Reply #20 on:** November 03, 2015, 02:38:12 PM »

This is a good response - thank you. I see we have top level involved and in answer to Mica I always take my strap off and stash it separately in the case. Do I understand correctly that Mica is saying leave the instrument alone and don't interfere with the factory strap button. Stay with what we are given? If so, that echoes my gut reaction. In fairness, nothing has gone wrong strap-wise in the 15 years since my Orion was built and bought (I don't leap around on stage or anywhere by the way).
Glynn

Glynn · « **Reply #21 on:** November 03, 2015, 02:48:30 PM »

Just remembered (cozmik cowboy) that a bass player I met this week in my local UK real ale pub said try Gr?lsch bottle-cap washers and drew many installation diagrams on a torn-up beer mat to describe. He set me a teasing task to try and find such bottles and invite him round to empty them.
We are a weird bunch, aren't we?
Glynn

keith_h · « **Reply #22 on:** November 03, 2015, 02:58:57 PM »

To me Mica didn't make a statement either way but I don't think she needs to either. I think the fact that Alembic has been shipping their basses from at least 2004 with Schaller strap locks speaks to their stance on using them.

Why do you think Schallers are going to interfere with the bass? All they are is a special strap button that accepts a U-shaped receptacle with a pin lock to keep it from coming off accidentally. The strap button will still work with any strap that doesn't have the other side of attachment. It only take one time for the strap to not stay on the button and you can damage your bass. I think the minimal cost for strap locks is worth reducing that risk to almost zero.

Keith

Glynn · « **Reply #23 on:** November 03, 2015, 03:07:39 PM »

Yes- I take your point. Thanks.
Glynn

mica · « **Reply #24 on:** November 03, 2015, 04:06:54 PM »

To strap lock or not is a personal decision. If you change out from a strap pin, do it wisely and fill the hole, drill a pilot hole and install the straplock.

We put them on new builds because our customers expect them, but we certainly use pins, and other than Schaller straplocks on request. Custom!

peoplechipper · « **Reply #25 on:** November 03, 2015, 05:03:53 PM »

I take my worn picks and cut them with my jewelers saw like a bread tie; much stronger than a bread tie and will last for years, take seconds to make, recycle, and NEVER had a problem with a strap coming off...Tony.

ed_zeppelin · « **Reply #26 on:** November 04, 2015, 08:38:10 AM »

Tapastring ( http://www.tapastring.com/index.htm ) makes the best strap lock for acoustic guitars that I've ever seen.

I have a metal bodied Dobro, and it weighs at least 150 lbs. They're not kidding, that sucker ain't going anywhere. I've got them on all but one of my acoustics (the '57 Martin, because I point two matched AKG C-1000s at it. Mm-hmm.)

While you're there, check out their Vintage Jack, a beautifully crafted solution for vintage guitars (they also have them for mandolins, banjos etc.)

http://www.tapastring.com/vintagejack.htm