Locking strap buttons

[tubenit]

Guys,

I have used the StewMac T-style strap buttons for 20+ yrs w/o a problem. However, my guitar straps (even older) have gotten the hole wallored out & recently the strap slipped off (twice). Fortunately I caught the guitar, so no problem there.

These are for my home made Tele's.

http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/tubenit/?action=view&current=FlameTele-1.jpg

http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c216/tubenit/?action=view&current=guitars.jpg

I am considering the Dunlop locking strap button or the Ernie Ball locking strap button. Any of you have some ideas on which of those are best or can offer other suggestions (besides changing straps)?

Gabe, if you read this, ......... I'd be real interested in your thoughts!


Thanks, Tubenit

[HotBluePlates]

I had strap locks on an old Les Paul I used to own. The stock strap button near the pickup selector switch was a bad size and at a bad angle, and was prone to allowing a somewhat worn strap to slip off.

I don't remember what brand the strap locks I used were. They might have been Dunlops. The button which fastened to the body had something of a lip around the upper edge. The other half of the lock fastened snugly to the strap, and was wide enough to hold firmly a strap hole that had been worn out. There was a central button that you had to pull up on in order to put it on or take off of the button on the body.

It held well. I my case, when I switched to Fender guitars (and their flared strap buttons) and used a heavier leather strap, I never had to worry about them again. If I was doing some Hendrix-style stage antics, I'd have to rethink going back to the strap locks...

[tubesornothing]

Here is what I use:

http://musformation.com/2009/03/the-grolsch-beer-strap-lock.html

Here is the female version:

http://lorinator.feminoise.com/guitar-tips-diy-strap-lock-system/

(really)

[jjasilli]

I'm starting to like the Grolsch idea.  I've been using Schallers.  But with the strap off, and in a case with a guitar, I'm always afraid those heavy metal lockers will mar the guitar.  I don't like the way Schallers look; and they rattle. 

I've tried a regular hard plastic washer.  But this makes it impossible to remove the stap w/o unscrewing the strap button from the guitar.

How are the Grolsch washers for quich removal of a strap swapping it to another guitar?

[tubesornothing]

Not really quick removal.  They come off OK, but you need to yank on them a bit.  For my two main gigging guitars I just leave them on with straps.

All that said, best to try it out for yourself.  I went through dozens and dozens of beers before deciding...

[Dynaflow]

 Heh, that grolsch strap lock idea gets around... They work great, plus you get the pleasure to drink the contents, or pour it out, but don't tell me about it if you do....

Regards,

Dyna

Ps: Yeah, two guitars, two straps, it ain't worth fumbling around with any sort of strap lock if your trying to change guitars after a string break.

[Platefire]

I've used Stu Mac and Peavey lately with good results. Got a set of pro Locks I haven't installed yet. My use of strap locks came from a different direction. Had a couple of good guitars but were neck heavy. The only way I could find to keep the neck from diving is use a wide leather strap. The thick leather made it hard to thread the hole on the strap pin---which led me to stap locks. Now that I've done that, I really like the security of the locked on strap---you just have to make sure if your in a hurry that it "clicks" in place because if it's not locked in or you subject to a drop like tubenit. So now I've got my neck diving problem fixed and feel free to move around a little more with extra security!  Even found myself jumping a little lately. For a 63 year old, not bad! Plate

[G._Hoffman]

Of the more expensive options, I like the Schallers more than anything else.  That said, Dunlop makes a cheap plastic strap lock (HERE, or the less dorky original version HERE with no pictures) that I like a lot.  It works similar to the Grolsch method (which, to the best of my knowledge, was started by the guys in Wilco - perhaps the strangest supply run I've ever made for the shop was to buy two bottles of beer so we could get the washers for Sean Lennon's Jazzmaster, which he sent to us on the advice of Nils Cline).  I'm not much of a beer drinker, so for myself I'm sticking to the Dunlops, but the Grolsch method works pretty well too.  By the way (not that it really matters), but every video I've seen of Eric Clapton for the last few years, he has been using the Dunlops.


Gabriel

[tubenit]

Gabriel & the rest of you guys .......... thanks for the comments and thoughts! I'm thinking maybe Gabe's Dunlop idea.

They are all appreciated. You've given me some great options. As I'd mentioned the T strap buttons worked fine for yrs but I need to do something different at this point.

I'm kind of a one beer max a day with fajitas type guy ........ so the beer bottle washers would involve some real effort. Shiner Bock doesn't make those also do they? That's a good Texas beer.
 


Best regards, Tubenit

[bluesbear]

The Dunlop and Peavey's are identical and interchangable.
Dave

[Ritchie200]

+1 on the Dunlop's although I counterbore so the female button is flush.  I always thought it looked silly with all that extra post and crap hanging out in mid air.  Although then you loose the option of the regular strap button.
Jim

[madison]

I've had Schallers on a couple of my guitars for years.
Heavy duty/heavily used.Easy for swapping.

I also have one of those clip lock guitar straps on a guitar that lives here on permanent loan.
It's actually not a bad deal either if you don't mind part of your strap being left on the guitar all the time.