To straplock or not to straplock?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mrkmas
  • Start date Start date
Schaller fan here...I've seen Dunlops and Clip-Locks fail several times. Even if the Schaller mechanism failed, by design it would continue to hold the guitar (unlike Dunlop). The important thing to remember with Schallers is to use some sort of lock-tite on the nuts so they don't work themselves free (the biggest drawback to that design, but easily fixed).

Although I typically use Schallers, I've never had an issue using oversized buttons.
 
I can't think of ONE reason to not have them, whatever kind that may be.
 
Dunlops or Schallers on every guitar I've ever owned......I don't know about you guys, but I'm not rich and guitars cost money.

I'd rather pay $15 for a set of locks than replace the $1000+ guitar I just bought.
 
I put Schallers on most guitars. On my next guitar I am buying a strap just for it and will use a fender washer to permanently attach it. My Schallers have never failed in 20+ years of use are they ugly yes but they work.

Mrhiwatt
 
CaseyCor":1jckz473 said:
Badronald":1jckz473 said:
CaseyCor":1jckz473 said:
Locks if you play out or really like them (which I do both), but if you play at home just put in some oversized strap buttons.
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:no:

I play out all the time and I'll never use strap locks again. Completely unnecessary.
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I disagree completely. I will never spend more that $300 on a guitar and not put strap locks on it. I've had (and many others on the boards according to this thread) far too many incidents with non-straplock equipped guitars. Doesn't matter what strap material/how thick, or the age of it, it will always fall off. Luckily I've caught the guitar by the neck 90% of the time.

But hey, whatever works for you! No need if it's not necessary for you.

The straplock on my LP just stripped out a couple days ago :(. I have the worst luck with gear. Strings break constantly, nut on the input jack falls off, stap burgle hole strips out. I just did the toothpick trip on my semi-hollow, and now I guess it's time to do it to the LP as well. God do I hate guitar/drum maintenence.
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Ironically the few times guitars have dropped on me over the last 29 years of gigs and rehearsals were when strap locks were being used.

I will also say that when I had my Les Paul Custom I definitely had straplocks on it and I checked them on a regular basis to make sure they were secure. You have to. If those Gibson pieces of shit fall on the floor they snap like a pencil. Fenders? I drag them behind my car to gigs, pick them up and they're still in tune. Play the gig, drag them home. :D
 
nothing worse then a strap coming off during a solo in front of a couple hundred people. Lock that bitch!
 
I NEED straplocks as my strap is always coming off my guitar all the time. But I want to get a new guitar strap first, and I won't do that until me guitar is fixed with a new pickup.
 
Schallers on all my guitars. I just bought a couple 4" Italia straps too. Much more comfy then my old thin nylon straps.
 
straplocks on my LPs, simply because the peg is angled up just a bit and the strap always comes loose without.

Never had a problem with it on my other guitars.
 
I got Schallers on my LP. Anyone tried the plastic Dunlop Lok-Strap?
I had a friend that swore by those. He was one of those types that had bad luck and easily broke guitars and straplocks and he said the plastic ones were indestructible.
They work like an re-sizeable washer and they only cost like $4.
 
grolschlocks on mine. i see the benefit of actual straplocks, but i hate the extra spacing between the guitar and strap with em. it feels weird to me. if a guitar is going to drop, it will. :-)
 
There is zero downside to using straplocks...unless you count having to check them regarding retightening (which is just maintenance and you should be doing that with everything on your guitar anyway.) You would have to check that your strap is staying on your non straplock guitar anyway. I watched my friend's guitar fall on the floor when he performed without straplocks, and have seen it time and time again.

Are they perfect? No. Is there any real reason not to use them? No. I personally hate Dunlops because I have seen them fail and prefer Schallers, they can't fail if you keep them tight. If they come lose, it is your fault, not the Schallers. All nuts and screws come loose. You have to tighten them. Use locktite if it is a problem. I have had the same Schallers for close to 2 decades on some guitars and they just don't fail. It's a thread, a washer and a nut. Dimarzio cliplocks rule too, but are not for everyone.
 
oversized washers do me just fine. I have had straplocks come undone before as well as the straplock buttons becoming worn and having to be replaced. Do you know how I figured out the strap buttons were worn? The hard way! The washers have never failed me and they are cheap and plentiful. For the 15 bucks the straplocks cost I can buy 30-40 washers and be done with it. Your welcome
 
Dropped a guitar many, many, years ago at a gig. Schaller straplocks from then on without a second thought. Automatic for me with a new guitar just like changing to my brand and gauge of strings.
 
I dont play out, but will bring them out for friends to play. That being said 1st thing that goes on my guitars are Schallers.
 
I've seen the guy do the washer before on his guitar, which is similar to the Grolshlock idea. Unless you are needing to change your strap all the time this shouldn't be an issue. The only downside that I can see is that my guitar doesn't fit in my case with the strap still on it. I think a lot of people may also have that issue. Just for the sheer uniqueness of the Grolshlock idea, I may give it a whirl on my LP. I've had my Schallers on there for probably 8 years or so with no worries
 
I use the Ernie Ball strap locks. They have been great for the couple of years I've had them on my guitars.
 
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