What strap locks are good

Schaller or Dunlop is what you're going to hear.

I use Dunlops. I used to use Schallers, but no more after one too many chips taken out of the paint by the strap-end part of the setup.

--chiba

 

I use Dunlop because they're attached to the strap from the inside. Schaller attaches from the outside and when the nut & washer fall off your strap can pop off.

 

I don't like strap locks... I had schallers before and the nut that held the strap in kept coming off. Tried superglue and stuff but the nut kept coming off - was too dangerous - so I dumped them. Maybe I was using them wrongly... heh.

Then the dunlop straplocks damage the thick leather straps I like to use plus they rust, something that just makes me uneasy.

So I now I just use oversized strap buttons and a quality leather strap.

 

Buy a 4 pack of Grolsh

 

What about the straps that have locks on them, for those that don't want to modify their guitar in any way. e.g. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/LM-Products-Nylon-SureLock-Guitar-Strap?sku=364972

 

Shallers can be work intensive up front - changing strap buttons, getting the locking mechanism on your strap. But once it's done, it's done. They work very, very well, but you do have to be careful not to whack the lack against your finish when you're putting on the strap.

As far as the lock coming loose from the strap, I used a little blue Loctite on the three straps that have locks and then cranked them down with a wrench. They haven't come loose in 7 years.

 

I use Schallers and I stick I them so all my guitars use the same thing. Never had an issue with them once you install them correctly. Which includes tightening them on the intall as tight as possible.

Yeah I guess you could ding up some finishes with them but I dont really fi d myself slinging my strap around like that.

I do have a few sets of Dunlop locks that are a hard plastic that locks on any regular sized strap button. Works well, just set on and turn. I like these when you dont want to change out anything.

 

+1 Or else some faucet repair washers from the hardware store.

 

+ 1 for Schaller.

 

i use bass string trees. then get straps with just the hole, not the slot and screw them on top!

 

I've started using these :

http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/Catalogue/ViewProduct.aspx?productId=823

Mine are round and black but basically the same thing.

Cheap enough to buy for all your guitars.

 

+1

Not just cheaper, but better than any two-part metal locks too, and avoid all the problems of them.

Don't be put off by the plastic construction - they're easily strong enough.

 

I've been a user of Schaller Straplocks for years but the ringing endorsement from John for the Lok Strap motivated me to hit up eBay for a couple. They'll arrive next week and I look forward to giving them a whirl.

 

Yep,
or go here to order by the 100 cheap;
http://www.defalcos.com/Catalog_c126700.html

 

Yep, I use the ones that StewMac sells. Cheap, and work great. And no modding or drilling on your guitar is necessary...

 

Can someone clear up how you would use Grolsh bottle caps? I'm not old enough to have seen let alone tasted beer outside your major US brands that usually go hand in hand with our little friend "underage drinking" If it's cheaper I might end up using those...I've had schallers up to now, but I'm all about cheaper alternatives.

 

Grolsh bottles have tops similar to old Mason jars that your grandmother probably stored tomatoes in.

Put the strap on the guitar as you normally would, then take the red rubber washer from the bottle top and slip it over the strap button.

 

Cheaper alternatives:

Grosh rubber stops - take out the rubber stoppers and put it on after you fasten your strap like the jim dunlop lok strap

I used the jim dunlop lok strap - its nice and not expensive.

Shallers are nice too. But surgery on guitar is required if the strap buttons are not compatible.

 

The Grolsch seals are not only cheaper but I believe better than anything else.