Strap Lock Recommendation

[DanFrank]

Any brand recommendations and tips for installation to put strap locks on my '86 Spoiler?  Thanks!!

[edwardofhuncote]

I like the Schallers on mine. The only tip I'd give is to make sure the mounting screw goes into solid wood. If your current strap buttons have the larger screws, you can either reuse them to mount the new hardware, or plug and re-drill them. I have gotten away with the ol' toothpick-n-wood glue trick a couple times, in less extreme cases. 

(love that Spoiler 5-string) 

*had to look for it, but here's the thread where I got turned around on strap locks. http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=438.0

[mtjam]

I swear by Grolsch "strap locks." Get a few of the big Grolsch beers with the flip tops. Remove the rubber washer from the top and place it over your strap once you have it connected to your bass. Works like a champ, they're cheap, and you get beer with your strap locks. No instrument modifications required!

[lbpesq]

+1 on the Schallers.  Just make sure you double check the the tightness of the nut on the strap part.  These have been known to lossen up over time.  You might want to use some blue or purple loctite to keep the nut tight.  (This goes for any brand strap lock.  A little prevention is a lot cheaper than a strap that comes off and lets the guitar bounce off the stage).

Bill, tgo

[hammer]

Schallers have always worked well for me. I've never had to use the toothpick trick recommended by Greg (though I know many who have and for whom it has worked well) because the screws I've used for the strap locks have always been larger and I've just used Tightbond wood glue to hold them.  One warning...straplocks are not a guarantee that you can do anything with your instrument and expect the strap to still hold.  Always check and re-check. I've seen a number of cases both live and on YouTube of musicians dropping guitars and basses due to strap failures.

[hieronymous]

And if you get Schallers, don't fiddle with the little knob - they unscrew! I had one pop apart - fortunately I caught the bass!

[gtrguy]

Oddly enough, you actually need the felt washers that go on the screws under the strap locks. I often will drill out the holes on mine slightly larger and use a bigger screw or a longer screw..


It's still a good idea to double check that they are on tightly before a gig (carry a screwdriver too).