Pros and Cons of Strap Locks | Guitar Tech Tips | Ep. 36 | Thomann 

Honestly the one straplock that's never failed me, ever, is a rubber ring from a Grolsch bugle bottle.

Great video, I myself use the Jim Dunlop straploks and I'm very happy about them. Although I was a little bit concerned about drilling a wider and deeper hole into my bass it went down pretty nicely.

I have the "beer bottle" style rubber seal locks. I used to keep both locks on all the time. I have one strap and a single bass. However, I started transporting my bass regularly. And I found that the top strap was a nuisance to constantly add/remove all the time. So, I just use a single strap lock on the bottom. Keeps it sturdy and safe. The upper strap is generally the safer one w/out a lock. And, now when I put my Sire M7 into it's hardcase... I remove the upper strap and just lay it in the case. Works great.

Came on the channel for Julia, stayed and subscribed for everything else! Nice job with these videos!

I used to use strap locks in my late teens, early 20's because I was jumping around on stage like a madman. But, the Schallers always ripped out. Even after refilling the holes with the toothpicks and wood glue trick. If you think about it, what is the purpose of the claw of a hammer? It's used to pull nails. The old Schallers I had rattled and put a lot of pressure over time on the screws. Honestly, just buying wide, quality $40-100 leather straps solved the back issues I was having and good leather is so stiff, and stays stiff longer, I haven't had an issue since. It made me wonder why I used $10 straps to hold my investments? I also leave straps on as much as possible, so they stay stiff around the strap button. Also the Schaller's dinged up my guitars because it's a metal piece on a flimsy band when you take it off. Also, if you have to use a $10 strap, just replace it when the leather is flimsy. My bass and accoustic strings usually cost more than a cheap strap, why did I think I shouldn't invest in good straps?

i got a pair of "Daddario Dual Lock PW-DLC-01", they work like the o-rings, cost like 3-4 euros at Thomann. Easy to put on and remove, steady on use. Love em.

Think I'll go with the simple Fender locks. It's a gift for my friend who plays bass and she's had a strap issue in some recent gigs. Bread fan at the end was a nice surprise too!

I vote schaller S locks…quality and good finishes….sturdy and retaining compression ring design perfect for thicker suede straps…look good….easy on / off…the ultimate winner.

Most of mine have the Dunlop cheapy locks and have been great for years. I have the Schaller on my Gretsch though. Love that bass! Sweeeeeeeettttt!😊👍

Gonna save this one on my faves! So well explained 👌

I'm glad you showcased the simple locks. That's what I'm looking for. My instrument is heavy and the problem I have with the more advanced locking systems is that the hardware holds the strap out further from the body. It acts like a cantilever and the screw ends up bending. I prefer the strap right up against the body.

Plastic Bread bag clips were my first strap locks, I’ve moved to the Schaller style, I need to look at the rattle free ones. Rubber 🦭 spotted randomly leaving adhesive residue with some kind of scented stickers!

I moved to D'Addario Lockin Straps, they work great even on my Schaller Pins. Only exception are the big PRS pins on these I use the Ernie Ball Strap which I got fro free at the Thomann Store :-)

My vote goes for the Schaller! Especially since they now fixed the biggest issue, which was the nut on the strap getting loose over time, needing you to regularly ensure it is still tight. I still have the older model on my guitars, I did put a dab of superglue underneath the nut to ensure it won't get loose. But it's nice to know it's not an issue anymore.

I use Loxx strap locks on every guitar I own. They are much smaller than the Schaller style U-channel locks, so they don't tear up your case or gig bag. You also don't have to fumble around to find the right orientation in order to get the lock out of the U-channel to take the strap off. I've never had one fail me.

I have used 2-inch safety pins on the bottom buttons as strap locks, and they have yet to fail me. My old lead singer installed Dunlop locks on my Washburn, and I've never liked them. Keep it simple, and love this video!

I've got harley benton strap locks on my bass. Works great for me but admittedly I don't try and spin it round my back like an idiot.

I use both the rubber rings and the Dunlop locks and I have seen Clapton using the Dunlop locks on his strats so, um that is good enough for me..lol..great video ! thanks

A tip for the rubber strap blocks (Fender, Ernie Ball etc): after playing or removing your strap simply leave them on the buttons so they stay with your guitar for next time! I can’t tell you how many of those I’ve lost at gigs.

Creo que la elección es muy personal. El schaller es muy bueno y hermoso. Dimarzio es segurísimo también. Excelente video...👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤟🏻👏🏻

Thank you I just happened to be looking for the best way to keep my Guitar strap to stay on. 🎸🤟😎

I used Schaller, but I moved to the beer seals. Work perfectly even with heavy basses

Thank you, your explanation helps me a lot.

I used to use DiMarzio ClipLocks and Schaller S-Locks. The ClipLocks were annyoing due to the limited amount of options available and the S-Locks were noisy and were protruding quite a lot. I since switchted to Loxx Security Locks, they are much lower profile than the S-Locks and have no rattle or other noise and they work perfectly with my Richter strap.

I used Dunlop for years but my sweat seems to be very corrosive which leads to rusting of some of the inner components. Grolsch caps all the way, just can’t do cool srv behind the back switches but sure beats the alternative

I was just about to drill holes into my beautiful new Harley Benton TE-62 DB LPB (terrible name. Beautiful guitar) to fit new Dunlop strap lock pins. Then RU-vid saw fit to play me this video. Top tip - use the old screws if they fit. Which of course they do! Really simple tip but one that had not occurred to me in my enthusiasm to fit my strap. My guitar thanks you for sparing it from unnecessary surgery!

I‘m using the rubber rings of bottles and never had a problem but some cool beer every now and then 😉 Cheers 🤘🏻😎🍻

Thank you this helped so much

I have 2 sets of Schaller S locks. They're pretty and made of good German steel.

If you are over the age of 21, buy a 4 pack of Grosh for all you strap lock needs.

I've used Schallers for my entire life but they still come off with heavier guitar such as Les Pauls, I even dropped him multiple times breaking some tuners once, I've used the ones they sold in late 90s and got some pairs around 2010 I think, not sure they improved since then, so I wanted to try the Fender rubber ones

0:24 was shocked to get called out like that😂😂 Keytars can rock just as much as guitars and bass in the right hands!!❤️🤍🖤

there's only one strap i trust: DiMarzio's, no mechanical noises, impossible to unlock

I use the schallers in my best bass. In the others I pick 2 plastic coca-cola caps, put a nice hole in the middle with a solder Iron an trace a triangular route off of the center. Works fine, and comes a pair for free after 2 coca-colas, so I got to change it regularly.

Cool video. You covered the practical issues. It’s not about market share or specs, it’s about not dropping the damn guitar.

I bought black rubber rings from a brewery. Was cheap and better than all the expensive stuff I tried out. There is also a Zakk Wylde or Billy Sheehan way but we should not overestimate the problem.

This applies to any Instrument that has Strap pegs. The Keytar is actually a very Popular one because this allowed Keyboard players to play standing up.

0:40 Holy moly!! You mentioned this at the beginning of the video?? No way! Every other channel skips it entirely! This is way too useful, sir. You are going to put all the other channels out of a job

The new Schaller are very sturdy, but also very pointy. Also they don't mix and match very well with the old generation pins. They just slide off! Be careful. I might try the click ones, because I always take off the strap for transport.

thanks for the explanation :)

I’ve got one custom strap and three basses,I like the Ernie ball locks but you can’t buy just the lock buttons on their own so you have to buy three sets of locks,I think Schaller sell just the button part

I got Schallers on almost all of mine. I wish they made locking pins that would look good on a Höfner bass without changing the vintage ivory look.

When I realized how much better the Schaller s locks are compared to every other solution, I even went back to guitars that already had strap locks on them and replaced those.

The rattling was what always annoyed me a lot. But I am still using Schallers - so good to know they are now silent ;)

The old Schaller locks are available from Fender and Guitar Fetish. The buttons are available separately too.

2:50 i don't know about the fender strap block, but the one from daddario is REALLY easy to put on and off. It takes literally one second and zero effort to change guitars and straps.

I like to use Schaller locks, but might use the „cheap“ locks you presented on my hagstrom super swede. On my Sire bass, one of the Schaller locks gets loose very easily, no matter how hard I screw it back on. The screw sits tight then, but after 2 hours of playing it’s loose again. So a good topic now would be to show how to fix washed out screw holes. :)

Ernie Ball Strap Blocks are the best for me ... cheap, rugged & they don’t require any modifications to your guitar/bass

Beer strap locks are the best. You get them for free just buying beer. And actually they are pretty safe. And one more hack. If you don't drink beer and don't have friends who do, go to Walmart or special store for plumbers and get some plumbing seals. They cost almost nothing and they are black :)

You also forget,planet waves planet lock straps and ernie ball polylock strap,its great too

Can you talk about solutions to neck dive?

Using the same screw as originally installed on the guitar might be an issue if one is going to use an extra thick, padded strap. With something like that one would need to use a longer screw to facilitate the screw going to the end of the threads reach. I wonder what your take on this matter?

I use Dunlop plastic strap locks an D'addario auto lock strap

Chris, LOXX are from Germany? They are very strong, quick and easy . Super low profile, and don’t poke you, or stick out like an antenna !😅 If the strap threads back out, the guitar stays firmly attached.

Ich nehme einfach die Thomann/HB locks. Sehr günstig und funktionieren einwandfrei. Wenn's passt, sollte man die Originalschrauben nutzen!

Nice Sandberg!!!!!!!

Loxx strap locks work wonders. Proven throughout the years. IMO they beat others.

What about layers and layers of duct tape? 🤙 Great Episode, love the vibe and it feels like you're having a lot fun at what you're doing there. Keep it coming!

I am using Schaller straplocks, but the problem is that when I secure the cable by placing it between the strap and the body of my bass guitar, there is too much distance between the strap and the body, so the cable will slide and not protect the input jack as well. On an other bass I have the cheap Dunlop plastic straplocks and I actually prefer them for that reason.

It helps!)

I was hoping you'll install that huge screw. 😂 When I bought my guitar it had similar as top strap button to prevent falling of the strap and improve balance. It looked hilarious but almost destroyed the strap

I really wish thomann would start selling Göldo EP13 strap pins. I got plenty of straps with locks on them but even more guitars that need cheap pins

and how about ... for Acoustics Guitars with the endpin that is too thick for regular straps .... cause the cable plug and the strap lock is the same pin !!!! i'm having such a strugle to fing a guitar strap that fit !!! any suggestions ???? Pleassseee Thank you Greetings from Portugal Stay Safe & Keep Rockin'

I've been using the metal ones and my biggest problem is that they pull out of the body, so I want to swap to the rubber ones but I'm a punk guitar player and I swing my guitar around alot, are the rubber ones safe enough for me?

Why omission of the Marvel lock supplied fitted with some of Harley Benton model guitars. e.g. SC Custom?

Thanks for acknowledging us keytar players. That's the reason I'm here 😂

For me a huge con of strap locks is the strap twists all the time. That doesn’t happen with the rubber washers. That’s why I like them.

LOXX is the best system I've ever tried. They're also made in Germany 🤘🏼

I have a dunlop, but they sometimes give a rattle, I think to change to something simpler

Travelling Thomann's Tiny, Teak & Tender: True Tech Talk Time Today....

Thank you my Fender lock broke last night. I ordered the rubber rings

will the schaller s locks fit with the gibson les paul standard 60s?

Mm if I’d had a strap lock my PRS wouldn’t be scratched and dented! Thanks for the information Kris

Is the ErnieBall Security Lock compatible with StingRay screwhole?

Dunlop inset flush mount strap locks

I have always been happy with my Schallers. But the latest generation _twists_ against the strap for some weird reason. This is quite annoying, as the opening of the lock often points sideways to the point of almost looking downwards. I screwed them in with all my might and fixed the securing screw like I should. Still, they don't stay put. I would really be grateful for any ideas on what might cause this.

Oversize strap buttons are the most elegant, simplistic solution. Wean yourself off gadget-gimmicks. Well-Hung Pro-Pins

Black rubber washers from a hardware store. Never had an issue.

you just saved me a few bucks. I was just about to buy an auto locking strap, but I'll just buy those rubber rings. Boom!

I use the fender rubber rings on my every instrument

I have Ibanez sa260 what kind of strap locks compatible with my guitar?

Another nice video. Still waiting for the nut replace video. Best regards

DiMarzio is the best. Helps with relicing, too hahaha

Fender Straps are nice...but very hard to setup when using a leather thick strap....By the way, is it a sacrilege to use on a Gibson ? :D

Never even thought of the fact you can't put it on the ground with the schallers. Ill keep that in mind

Dunlop Straplok Flush Mount

Which one has the bigger screw dunlop's or s-lock's one?

I used to love and be obsessed with the Dunlop Straploks for years but after a brand-new set failed and drop my guitar straight to the ground I'm never buying them again. Yeah, I know it might have been a faulty unit in like 10,000 that left the factory, but I don't care. If I pay for a product that is intended to lock my strap in place and I trust my very expensive/favorite guitars with it, I expect it to do its job and do it well, so failing one time only is really all I need. Anyway, my cat-like reflexes were, fortunately, quick enough for me to catch the neck of my favorite guitar right on time and avoid the tragedy about 3 inches from the floor, but I feel for those who may not get so lucky. So, since that incident happened my advice for all my fellow guitarists has been to ditch those Dunlop abominations out of your beloved guitars, and instead switch to Schaller S-Locks, because the mechanism on these is designed in such a way that even in the remote possibility that they fail to lock the strap (something already pretty much impossible to happen because it is spring-locked tightly and strongly) it will still secure your guitar in place because of the way the lock connects to the guitar from below. You would only notice that it "failed" if/when you took off the strap yourself, basically. So, what this means is that with this straplock, your guitar is literally always secure and protected from a disaster, I mean even gravity itself is on your side and helping. A disaster just can't happen even if you wanted to and so it's absolutely perfect. Sorry for the rant, but friends don't let friends buy Dunlop Straploks. Stay safe and Rock On \m/

I've been using old shaller locks for over 10 years, had installed the buttons on two of my guitars. I just got a new guitar, and while looking for the buttons, I thought I'll give this new version a try. Putting the button and the screw into one piece is really a bad design choice. It might save some cost on productions, but for the customers, it limits the usage. The screws were larger than what I had for my guitar. (Larger and longer threads). This will crack your finish bad if you don't drill before putting them on! They really should have allowed users to choose already existing screws if needed. This is really a dumb choice IMO. Also, the one of the locks pull is very sticky and it's really hard to unlock. I think this is poor quality control. Maybe it will loosen up overtime, but it is really rigid and hard to unlock right now. I do give some credit for its rattle free design as they advertised. But overall I am very disappointed. I trusted the Shaller name, and went for it despite there are many other cheaper third party parts out there. Now I think maybe I should have gone for that with out paying premium for their name. I'd adivse anyone who's looking to get this one just to go older style locks, or at lease older style buttons.

Servos! Helfen Sie bei Gitarrenmodifikationen? Gibt es COVID-Einschränkungen? Vielen Dank!

I have schallers on my goldtop

I wanted to use some beer bottle rubber ring but they glued the ring tight..

You never remove your strap? Fine, for each end a felt washer for between the instrument and strap, and a metal washer against the strap. Just run the screw through that and it won't come off and is about as low profile as you can get. I use the Schaller strap locks, I don't lean my babies against an amp or wall where they can fall and get hurt. Buzzing? Who can hear buzzing strap locks when jamming out? That's nit picking. Edit: My first strap lock was leather. You used the above method to mount it to the instrument. It had a strap button on it and another leather piece that you put on after the strap to prevent the strap coming off. Works on any strap that works on the instrument. No strap ever came off of it, but I bought in in 1984 and it started showing it's age so I went Schaller in something like 2009 I think.

What about Lock-it straps? Do they work reliably?

Can I out on/off strap on guitar on fly with Schaller locks?

D'addario makes newer versions.

I use schallers for my most expensive guitar for the rest i have hammer and nails Cheers 🍺😄

Dunlops are superior, I have had them on on my Les Paul for 20 years, the Schallers are poop, they require the strap to be mounted at a certain angle, the pins unscrew or snap off leaving the pin buried in the mechanism, a complete nightmare.

I went with the rubber ones. I got a strap for every guitar I have.

Leider hat sich das mit den Gummiring von Plöp Bier Flaschen, schon vor Jahren rumgesprochen. So das mehrerer Firmen, dazu über gegangen sind, ihre Gummi Ringe, durch Harte Plastik Ringe, die dazu noch fest mit dem Verschluss verbunden. So das sie wirklich nicht mehr, als „Gurt Sicherung“ , zu verwenden sind. Was ja Sinn u Zweck, dieser Aktion war.