Completely subjective Strap Button/Lock ranking

PFDarkside

PFDarkside

of the Forum
Inspired by LPB’s thread, I present Aaron from Warmoth’s ranking of strap buttons/locks.

All in good fun. I may have to try some of the oversized buttons.

 
I TOTALLY agree with Aaron's assessment. I have always been a fan of the Schaller strap locks and supply them with every one of my custom guitars. They are completely secure and yet easy to change straps if you want (like if you have a favorite strap that you want to use on each of your guitars). While the oversized strap button (Aaron's #1 choice) is very secure, it is difficult to remove your strap should you want to put it on a different guitar. Of course, that is what makes them secure. And at only $6, they are way more affordable than the Schallers. There is simply no reason not to put them on every guitar that you own. (I still like the Schallers though because if you have a strap that has a soft glove leather or soft fabric end, it can still come off of the oversized strap button but not the Schaller lock).

I absolutely hate the Lock-it straps because you are sucked in to using their strap which may not be your favorite...it just limits your choices.
 
^^^Well yeah, if you don't like the strap part of the Lock-Its then that's a sure deal breaker.
They have a bunch of different strap types though, so it's hard to think none of them would make one happy.

Another great thing about them is that you could simply buy one or two of them and use them for all your guitars.
I'm not sure if they sell any with one of the ends flipped opposite though. Their standards are not designed well for guitars with buttons on the rear side.
For basic strat style guitars that have the button of the horn Lock-Its are great.
 
I have always been a fan of the Schallers also. As mentioned it is easy to change straps. Also, it is not necessary to buy the whole kit. You can buy the locking strap pins separately for short money.
 
Schaller strap locks are as good as it gets. I've used them for more than 20 years, got them on every guitar I own, and they always work flawlessly . . . both holding the guitar securely and allowing easy removal of straps when needed.
 
I can say I use them all. Schallers, Dunlops, oversized strap buttons, Lock-it straps (for my bass), and the Grolsch bottle washer. I've not had a problem with any of them. I do like the Schallers the best though.
 
I am sold on the Schaller S-Locks...they really solved the issues I had with Schaller locks over the years. Now we gotta get more companies to include them from the factory on new guitars.
 
I'm trying to ask myself/Erlend, why he doesn't get some straplocks, before he drops his Epi on the floor.

...but the guy doesn't answer. I guess I'll just have to order some anyhow. :p
 
Erlend_G said:
I'm trying to ask myself/Erlend, why he doesn't get some straplocks, before he drops his Epi on the floor.

...but the guy doesn't answer. I guess I'll just have to order some anyhow. :p
Click to expand...

Or just get a single Lock-It strap of your choice and instantly you then have strap-locks for all your guitars, and all with no screwdriver!
 
Good video, but my favorite part is the rear wall where the guitars are hung. I wonder if that's hardwood flooring they put up there. I like the look.
 
I like Dunlops better than the Schallers myself. Admittedly, Schallers are less of a pain to attach to a strap.
Once you put the Schaller button on a guitar, though, you can't use a strap without the locking fittings.
Dunlop buttons can still work with it an ordinary strap in a pinch.
Admittedly the Dunlop fittings are hard to put on, especially for a strap with thick leather ends.

Some have complained about Dunlops failing, but I've been using them for decades and never had a problem.
Two of my Dunlop sets have held up just fine through literally thousands of sets.
To be fair, I've got a couple of Schaller sets and none of them ever failed either.
I did once have a Schaller fitting come off the strap, though. They need tightening once in a while.

For me, Strats don't really need straplocks. I'm not slinging them around like I did back in the 80s.
And Grolsch washers work fine for behind-the-heel buttons or the end button on almost anything.
Many guitars that need real locking security only need it for the left-shoulder button, not the end.

The oversize ones on my PRSs are very secure, but as mentioned it makes a strap difficult to attach or remove in a hurry.
Especially a thick leather strap.

Am considering about the elliptical-head DiMarzio buttons as an alternative to fully oversized ones or actual locks.
Seems like a sensible idea but I haven't given them a tryout under actual performance conditions yet.
 
Grolsch washers for me…

8f5b1076842a75072a3040dcc1498e02.jpg
 
ArtieToo said:
Good video, but my favorite part is the rear wall where the guitars are hung. I wonder if that's hardwood flooring they put up there. I like the look.
Click to expand...

Aaron is active on TheGearPage (smallbutmighty) and on the Unofficial Warmoth Forum and associated Facebook page of you are on any of those. Pure speculation, If you look how narrow the boards are, I think I might be a vinyl printout or photo background.
 
I have had Dunlops fail. I still use the Dual Design on a few guitars, but their original style button is the worst.

Schaller wins simple because the lock is secondary to the security.
 
PFDarkside said:
Aaron is active on TheGearPage (smallbutmighty) and on the Unofficial Warmoth Forum and associated Facebook page of you are on any of those. Pure speculation, If you look how narrow the boards are, I think I might be a vinyl printout or photo background.
Click to expand...

I "clicked" to join the group. I like the vinyl idea. That wouldn't be expensive and offers lots of options.

I may have found it with just a couple clicks.

Warmoth_vinyl_flooring.jpg
 
Last edited:
A strap's leather ends will eventually stretch and not hold the guitar securely. We just need a better system that comes on every guitar and strap.
 
eclecticsynergy said:
Once you put the Schaller button on a guitar, though, you can't use a strap without the locking fittings.
Click to expand...

IDK, I've used a strap without the lock fittings on Schaller buttons just fine. If I needed a little extra security and don't have the fittings handy, Grolsch washers to the rescue as long as the strap end isn't too thick.
 
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