strap pin wear - or "I guess this bass got played a lot"

[Songdog]

I noticed I could wiggle the straplock and get it to disengage without pulling out the lock pin. Looking closely, I found that's because the strap pin on the bass is seriously worn - like it actually has worn a hole.

As a temporary workaround, I loosened the screw and rotated it - but it obviously needs to be replaced. Is there anything special I need to know to get the right replacement? If I just get a Schaller gold straplock, is that the right thing?

[edwardofhuncote]

Yeah, just buy a new set. That way, you get both parts. (I just replaced a set...)

[gtrguy]

You are lucky! Just get a replacement. I make sure when the attachment screw bottoms out that it stays tight. Use taper head same type screws and use the felt washer where the strap lock meets the wood body. Sometimes I have to find a bigger or longer screw and sometimes when I do, I have to turn the head down on my TAG micro lathe to get it to go in the top hole in the strap lock. I also have to sometimes drill out the strap lock lower hole a little bit, but you don't want to go very far on that or you are left with nothing to hold it down with.


many guitar stores sell just the strap lock lower bits.

[lbpesq]

I was playing in a jam yesterday when my guitar just fell loose in the middle of a song.  I was fast enough to catch it and support it with my elbow until we finished the song.  I then checked out what happened and discovered the strap lock post screw on the upper horn had completely sheared off at the head!   The strap button was still in the Schaller locking tuner receiver and when I removed it, the screw head was rattling around in the strap button.   You’d think they would have made the screw to last longer than 40 years! 

hehehehe

Bill, tgo

[rv_bass]

For strap locks I like the Dunlop push button ones. I find them easier to use and less cumbersome. You can also still use a strap with them if you forget the strap with the locking pin. The only downside is they are hard to attach to thick straps. 

Otherwise, I actually prefer not using locking strap mechanisms.  I prefer just a strap and if needed a rubber washer over the strap on the button.

[lbpesq]

The Schallers have one undeniable advantage over the Dunlops.   If the Schaller mechanism fails, the guitar is still held up by the U channels.  If the Dunlop mechanism fails, you better grab you instrument before it hits the floor!

Bill, tgo

[dannobasso]

Schaller's new design is more secure. The screw and head are one piece and are secured by a small Allen wrench . One less place for wiggle.

[Songdog]

Schaller's new design is more secure. The screw and head are one piece and are secured by a small Allen wrench.

And the screws come in three sizes. 

Anyone have experience with the new ones and know if the threads are inch or metric pitch? I'm assuming the existing screw pitch is threads per inch. It would be nice not to have the new screw cut new threads because it's metric... I might need the larger size in that case.

[rv_bass]

I like the rubber washers best…simple and effective

[lbpesq]

I like the rubber washers best…simple and effective

IIRC, I used to do that with the rubber washers from Grolsch beer bottle swing tops.

Bill, tgo

[rv_bass]

I like the rubber washers best…simple and effective

IIRC, I used to do that with the rubber washers from Grolsch beer bottle swing tops.

Bill, tgo

Awesome!  Good beer too

[jazzyvee]

Schaller's new design is more secure. The screw and head are one piece and are secured by a small Allen wrench.

And the screws come in three sizes. 

Anyone have experience with the new ones and know if the threads are inch or metric pitch? I'm assuming the existing screw pitch is threads per inch. It would be nice not to have the new screw cut new threads because it's metric... I might need the larger size in that case.

I would assume that since it's a German company, all their stuff would be metric by default.

[pauldo]

Schaller's new design is more secure. The screw and head are one piece and are secured by a small Allen wrench.

And the screws come in three sizes. 

Anyone have experience with the new ones and know if the threads are inch or metric pitch? I'm assuming the existing screw pitch is threads per inch. It would be nice not to have the new screw cut new threads because it's metric... I might need the larger size in that case.

Thought they were wood screws?   Thread pitch variance could be remedied with wood glue and saw dust.   Or a small dowel and re-drill a pilot hole.

Paul (who just used 10 gauge electric wire to jury rig his exhaust ). If I was home it would have been an old bass string.

[Songdog]

Yes, I think they're wood screws. I usually use a piece of wooden toothpick and some wood glue - worked great on my Fender.

Even though they're wood screws, I'd expect the thread pitch to be different depending on whether they're metric or U.S. sizes. I suppose if the original strap pins came with screws, they'd be metric; did Alembic use those or choose their own U.S. sourced screws?

I'll remove the screw that's currently in there and measure it, and choose the current Schaller S-Lock size accordingly. I have toothpicks and glue just in case 

[dannobasso]

I just put a set on a Sterling 4 bass. Went in snug like a charm. I really like the new design and the strap portions have a great knurled round nut. No wrench required.