eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Schaller may have changed the design of their buttons.
Originally their button didn't have enough width to keep a regular strap secure.
It's been a long, long time since I bought any though.
Completely subjective Strap Button/Lock ranking
- Thread starter PFDarkside
- Start date
Schaller may have changed the design of their buttons.
Originally their button didn't have enough width to keep a regular strap secure.
It's been a long, long time since I bought any though.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Yep, those are the ones I was remembering.
ErikH
Well-known member
I have a set that’s pushing 30 years old. Never had a problem using a strap without the lock assembly. If the strap is really thick, yeah that could be an issue but I use Ernie Ball nylon straps on a majority of my guitars. Their ends are fine with those buttons.
ErikH
Well-known member
Their buttons didn’t have the flange they have on them now so if a strap was used without the lock assembly, it had a much higher chance of sliding off. The dual design are great. Both of my Dunlop sets are the dual design.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Dunlops WILL fail, eventually, but keeping them clean and a drop of oil every year goes a long way. The steel detent balls eventually wear out the groove inside the button.
i just had my first failure, since I started maintaining them, a few months ago. They’d been on the guitar since 2004.
i just had my first failure, since I started maintaining them, a few months ago. They’d been on the guitar since 2004.
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eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Perhaps their steel isn't as hard as what they used originally.
My two most-used sets date to the early 80s and I haven't had any trouble with the buttons.
As you say, the ball bearings inside do need a little 3-in-1 oil now and then to keep them moving freely.
For the longest time, I didn’t know I needed to oil them, so they probably saw a lot of wear initially, then slowly got to hogged-out. Oh well. A new set of buttons is like $6.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
With no maintenance, Schaller and Dunlop have the potential to fail. If you use Locktite when installing the Schaller locks, the potential is almost zero. Also, for them to fail, you have to ignore the nut loosening to the point where it falls off.
80's_Thrash_Metal
Slightly_Glazed_Believer
I put Schaller Straploks on every guitar I've ever owned. They have never failed and I've never dropped a guitar.
The new S models are even better than the originals.
I dislike the Dunlop model, I tried them once and snapped it straight off in about a week. Inferior design in my opinion. Granted I'm pretty rough at times on my gear. YMMV
Schallers are simply the best insurance you can buy for your guitar!
The new S models are even better than the originals.
I dislike the Dunlop model, I tried them once and snapped it straight off in about a week. Inferior design in my opinion. Granted I'm pretty rough at times on my gear. YMMV
Schallers are simply the best insurance you can buy for your guitar!
Powdered Toast Man
New member
Used Schalers when I started gigging back in the day. Got tired of always having to retighten the nut that holds the whole apparatus to the strap ends. Also the U thing kept rotating around.
Switched to Dunlops over 15 years ago. Never fail. Zero maintenance. Use them on all my guitars. If you think the strap is difficult to remove or change then you're doing it wrong somehow.
If Dunlops are good enough for Keith Richards then they're good enough for me.
Switched to Dunlops over 15 years ago. Never fail. Zero maintenance. Use them on all my guitars. If you think the strap is difficult to remove or change then you're doing it wrong somehow.
If Dunlops are good enough for Keith Richards then they're good enough for me.
ver
New member
I had a set of Schallers I really liked, but they had 2 flaws: the pin protrudes out, maybe 1/2" past the strap button...this seems like it would be undesirable for guitars where the button is on the back of the neck joint area, like an SG. Also, like others have mentioned, I had to retighten the nut periodically.
I've since switched to a product from StewMac I believe is called "strap stoppers" - basically a rubber fender washer that is installed on the strap button, over the guitar strap. They are not without fail but easier to remove & install than strap locks. But if I ever needed more I would try to just find some rubber fender washers at a hardware store - I'm guessing I could get 2 for a dollar.
I've since switched to a product from StewMac I believe is called "strap stoppers" - basically a rubber fender washer that is installed on the strap button, over the guitar strap. They are not without fail but easier to remove & install than strap locks. But if I ever needed more I would try to just find some rubber fender washers at a hardware store - I'm guessing I could get 2 for a dollar.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
ver
New member
See 2:09 in the original video.
Ha! I didn't even notice the original video. My bad. And my double mistake for paying for a "strap locker" product when I could have just bought a 6 pack. Won't make that mistake again.
Juanhanglo
Active member
Ive used and own schaller, and used dunlop locks. The dunlops had the original style pins and did not hold a regular strap well at all. They may as well be a straight barrel.
I've had Schallers since my first real guitar. It came with them.
- i still have the locking part on my one and only strap. They went on in '98. The leather was very thick too. I got the nut on and cranked it tight using red threadlock compound. I oriented the cup upwards for extra security. It has never moved or loosened.
- a tight holed strap will fit in the groove of the schaller pins really well, but i wouldn't risk it.
- i own 3 full sets of locks, and a bunch of the aftermarket pins. It seems they flooded the market after the patent expired?
The new version looks like they solved the strap loosening issue that some have.
Planet waves lockers look interesting.....
I will say that my as73 is the only guitar i use regular buttons on because of the behind the heel button location. And that strap is beat to hell on the ends in 2 years compared to my nearly 25 year old schaller equipped one.
I've had Schallers since my first real guitar. It came with them.
- i still have the locking part on my one and only strap. They went on in '98. The leather was very thick too. I got the nut on and cranked it tight using red threadlock compound. I oriented the cup upwards for extra security. It has never moved or loosened.
- a tight holed strap will fit in the groove of the schaller pins really well, but i wouldn't risk it.
- i own 3 full sets of locks, and a bunch of the aftermarket pins. It seems they flooded the market after the patent expired?
The new version looks like they solved the strap loosening issue that some have.
Planet waves lockers look interesting.....
I will say that my as73 is the only guitar i use regular buttons on because of the behind the heel button location. And that strap is beat to hell on the ends in 2 years compared to my nearly 25 year old schaller equipped one.
