gary mac Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I had a strap lock fail whilst gigging last night, fortunately no damage but it made playing a bit tricky, until a point in the song where the bass was not required for a bar or two. In the poor light I couldn't see what the problem was but on further investigation this morning, in decent light and with the aid of a magnifying glass it was evident that wear on the little retractable lug was the problem. Mine have certainly seen a lot of gigs, so maybe to be expected but it wasn't something that had occurred to me to check. I've put a new set on this morning and will in future check regularly for signs of wear. Just wanted to put this up as a warning to other Schaller strap lock users, it might save an embarrassing and potentially instrument damaging incident . If you are out gigging tonight, go check em now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len_derby Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Cheers Gary, you've just given me one more thing to fret about......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurhenry Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 The best and safest way to use Schaller strap locks is to keep them separate from the strap, attach the strap to the bass as normal, then clip the locks on. Otherwise metal is rubbing against metal with the weight of the bass. The buttons have been known to shear off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 [quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1408793174' post='2533508'] Otherwise metal is rubbing against metal with the weight of the bass. The buttons have been known to shear off. [/quote] All the more reason to check these out. [size=4] [/size] [size=4]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/242655-grolsch/[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
police squad Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 my Les Paul fell off it's Dunlop strap locks even after I'd checked it was on properly. Luckily no damage. They do need a little check from time to time as they do wear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted August 23, 2014 Author Share Posted August 23, 2014 [quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1408793174' post='2533508'] The best and safest way to use Schaller strap locks is to keep them separate from the strap, attach the strap to the bass as normal, then clip the locks on. Otherwise metal is rubbing against metal with the weight of the bass. The buttons have been known to shear off. [/quote] It hadn't occurred to me, to use them like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurksalot Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1408797770' post='2533557'] It hadn't occurred to me, to use them like that [/quote] Nor me ! And it leaves the strap free to use on guitars that don't have the locks on , I may well try that method Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_the_bass Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 [quote name='Len_derby' timestamp='1408791878' post='2533499'] Cheers Gary, you've just given me one more thing to fret about......... [/quote] Play a fretless, you can offset the fret count! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Dunlop's are better, and if you use a comfort strap attach it like this. [attachment=169943:Photo on 23-08-2014 at 17.21.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I really should have heeded Gary's advice, as the same thing happened to me last night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) I tried strap locks for a while but found that I was being way more clumsy and careless (ie, leaning over to tweak pedals with bass attached, swinging all over or putting it around my back while I was looking at stuff) and putting way too much confidence in the fact I had strap locks... Until one went! I went back to grolsch rubber seals and they've never failed and I'm much more cautious. Edited August 24, 2014 by skej21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 The screws are a bit wimpy... I need to beef mine up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UglyDog Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 The straplocks on my main gigging strap are the first ones I ever bought back in the late 80s. Still going strong, touch wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted August 24, 2014 Author Share Posted August 24, 2014 [quote name='Graham' timestamp='1408867381' post='2534082'] I really should have heeded Gary's advice, as the same thing happened to me last night! [/quote] Unbelievably it happened to me again last night Brand new replacement strap lock fitted yesterday pre gig, right in the middle of a number it failed, I had to adopt the rather naff looking pose, of foot up on the kick drum support to allow me to get through the remainder of the song. Years of incident free strap related issues and then two nights in a row. Grolsh bottle top washers from here on in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 You also need to ensure the strap side, the cup if you like, is pointing upward. I have had them slip when the 'cup' is pointing at the ground, as there is nothing to hold them together bar the lug. Don't use them at all anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Only use schallers on my Ric (as they are the standard buttons). Every other bass gets Grolsch rings......the cheapest and best IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 I've got Schaller or Schaller clones on all my basses and guitars. Never had a problem. They're all positioned so that the strap buttons sit in the cups, so the retaining button has no stress on it, it just keeps the button in the load-bearing cup. The only thing I have to do every now and again is a little nut tightening, though most of the clone straplocks have two nuts on each straplock, so the second one locks the first one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 [quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1409057325' post='2535855'] I've got Schaller or Schaller clones on all my basses and guitars. Never had a problem. They're all positioned so that the strap buttons sit in the cups, so the retaining button has no stress on it, it just keeps the button in the load-bearing cup. The only thing I have to do every now and again is a little nut tightening, though most of the clone straplocks have two nuts on each straplock, so the second one locks the first one. [/quote] Ditto. 25 years using them and the original strap fittings that I have on my strap at present have been transferred between two straps in that time (first one the leather wore through) and no failure as yet. As has been highlighted, I have the button on the bass resting in the cup... can't imagine why you'd do it any other way mind! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsixties Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Same bad experience with the Schaller in the past, since many years ago I only use Dunlop dual and zero issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LemonCello Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Used Schaller's in the past but now on Dunlop's which feel more secure. The one's that came on my old Warwick were good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nibody Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 I've never ad a problem with Schallers but I do have a good guitarist friend who "lost" his Les Paul during rehersal. The action of the two parts of the lock rubbing against each other had worn away the lip on the "button" that attackers to the body and the lip sheared off. Luckily there want much damage done. I always check mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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