Strap locks

[Glynn]

I have managed 51 years without strap locks - should I get them?  Very wary of interfering with the body of my Alembic Orion 4 and I am rubbish at DIY. If I should, which ones?
Glynn

[edwardofhuncote]

Glynn, I too, was reluctant to switch to strap locks, but after trying them, I have found them indispensable. They are now installed on every bass guitar I own, except for one.

Here was my thread: http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=438.0

[811952]

I recently installed them on a couple of basses and yes, I like the peace of mind they afford a great deal.


John

[cozmik_cowboy]

I have put Schaller strap locks on every electric I have owned or have care of, including a '53 Les Paul, a '59 Strat, & a '59 ES-330-TD. I will continue to do so, because I've seen the result of not doing so.
I use flip-top beer-bottle washers on acoustics.

Peter

[dtothec]

Glynn I have Schaller's on all of my Alembics. The hardest part is getting the lock on your strap and it's not that hard. Once on, I do recommend checking them periodically, to make sure that they are tight, because over time they can work their way loose.

[pauldo]

Glynn I have Schaller's on all of my Alembics. The hardest part is getting the lock on your strap and it's not that hard. Once on, I do recommend checking them periodically, to make sure that they are tight, because over time they can work their way loose.

100% agree.  Preventive maintenance is a must, I have had the strap end of a Schaller lock loosen and fall off - once.  Since then I periodically check and have found it needing to be re-tightened. 

[keith_h]

Glynn I have Schaller's on all of my Alembics. The hardest part is getting the lock on your strap and it's not that hard. Once on, I do recommend checking them periodically, to make sure that they are tight, because over time they can work their way loose.

100% agree.  Preventive maintenance is a must, I have had the strap end of a Schaller lock loosen and fall off - once.  Since then I periodically check and have found it needing to be re-tightened. 

The way I resolve this is once the leather in the strap has had a chance to compress I loosen the nut and add a drop of blue Loctite before retightening. With the straps I use it usually takes a week or so of daily tightening to fully compress the leather.

[rv_bass]

I know a lot of people like srtap locks, but they make me nervous.  I prefer a large strap button like those found on older Alembics and a thick leather strap.  I put a large rubber washer on top to ensure the strap does not come off. 

One of my basses has recessed strap locks.  I don't really trust the locking mechanism, it looks to me like there are too many opportunities for it to malfunction, come apart from the strap, or mistakenly be connected incorrectly.  I used it a couple of times and found myself constantly checking to make sure It was secure.  So now I just use that one while sitting down and playing. I'm hoping I can replace the recessed locks with traditional large strap buttons, but that might not be possible due to the large holes required for the recessed locks.

[hammer]

IMHO the only good reason not to use straplocks (Schaller) is if you always play in a seated position all the time and have a high quality guitar stand by your side.

I use them with all my basses and have never had one fail. Then again I'm not the type to be flinging one of my Alembics up in the air or spinning it behind my back in an attempt to look cool (which is exceeding difficult at my age... the looking cool part that is). Although I wouldn't call them fool proof and they do require a check on a regular basis, they provide me with a much greater sense of security than any other method d I've seen used

[Glynn]

Thanks a lot.  Anyone heard of LOKXX strap locks - they seem a nice and simple system.
Glynn.

[jalevinemd]

Thanks a lot.  Anyone heard of LOKXX strap locks - they seem a nice and simple system.
Glynn.

From a design standpoint, they remind me a bit of the Dunlops. Obviously they're a good product as legions of guitarists have used them for decades. I just feel safer with the Schallers. Even if the springs and locks give way, the strap button will still be held in the U of the strap lock simply by the weight of the instrument. Just an added measure of security and the only ones I use on my Alembics.

[cozmik_cowboy]

 I just feel safer with the Schallers. Even if the springs and locks give way, the strap button will still be held in the U of the strap lock simply by the weight of the instrument. Just an added measure of security and the only ones I use on my Alembics.

Had we a "like" button, I would be pounding it for this one!

Peter

[bigredbass]

I prefer the Dunlops. 

I had the Schallers, but that U-shaped part on the strap always made me nervous about scratching the axe with them, and Schaller must put a 50-pound spring on the things.

The flush-mounts are really nice . . . . . until you forget your strap, and realize that if you borrow a strap, there's NOTHING to hook onto !

Plus, the Dunlops have the smallest diameter to pass thru the holes in your strap ends.  I had a Schaller set that would NOT go through a Levy's strap until I went to a leatherwork shop and had them enlarge the hole.

Joey

[cozmik_cowboy]

I have a leather punch, Joey; I have also used a drill.
And the U on the Schallers stands off from the body a good 1/4" at least.
I have seen Dunlops release with an accidental bump.  Yes, it's less common with their 2nd and later designs, but it's still a possibility I can't live with.  Give me pull-to-release with the redundancy of the U, thanks.
But I'm glad the Dunlops work for you, and hope you never get converted the hard way.......


Peter

[peoplechipper]

I take my old picks and cut them with my jewellers saw like a bread tab; they last for years if you use heavy picks and are repurposing; if you don't have a jeweller's saw a heavy-duty large hole punch and side cutters would do the same job...Tony