Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

[Braunzo]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

I've been running the same Schallers on my Tele since the late 80's......same strap as well. The only thing I did was I used wood glue to hold the knob into the body (as I do with every guitar) and some Loc-Tite on the threads for the nut that holds the strap on.

I haven't needed to touch them for about 20 years now.

I did get to watch the bass player in my old band lose his vintage Fender bass on stage thanks to Dunlops. We had to duct tape the strap to the guitar mid-set. Afterwards the stage was littered with the little ball-bearings.

I've seen that as well... It's a sad site. Schaller on every guitar I own and play regularly.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

The reminds me: when I was using the Schallers on all guitars they would sometimes rattle.

This is what I use now:

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

Schallers do rattle, but it's worth it.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

Rattle? WTF? The only time I've heard them rattle is when I'm sitting down with the strap on the guitar. When I'm standing up, there is no rattle.

I prefer the security of the Schallers over anything else aside from an eyelet / clip setup like Zakk Wylde and EVH.

 

[Kac]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

Schaller or bust.

+1

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

Rattle? WTF? The only time I've heard them rattle is when I'm sitting down with the strap on the guitar. When I'm standing up, there is no rattle.

I prefer the security of the Schallers over anything else aside from a eyelet / clip setup like Zakk Wylde and EVH.

Oh my bad, yeah I was referring to sitting down.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

The other problem with the metal systems is that there is more load on the screw that holds the strap button in the guitar's body. Since the strap is not farther away from the body there are substantial lever forces on the screw now. That might not play a role in a Les Paul, Strat or Tele, but a SG or double-cut LP, or even a soloist with the button in the upper horn might see the screw break out of the body.

If you have a guitar with the strap button on the back such as an Explorer or a non-modified SG then the thick buttons are out, too.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

I've had these things on my Strat for some years, sometime later one of them came loose (the inner ring would pop out of the outer one) so while better to have them than to not, I wouldn't put too much merit in the security they offer...

 

[uOpt]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

Well, then...

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

I've been using the Dunlop cup ones on my strat for 8 years without failure. I have button ones on my LP, from Allparts I think, and they've served me well for the past 7 months. My guess is that if one type or brand were prone to failure, they would no longer be on the market.

 

[pinto79]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

umm, I take it you've never installed Schallers on a Fender so I'll explain. The screws used for Fender's Strap buttons are larger than those that come with Schaller strap locks, so the screw doesn't fit the hole. It's an easy fix really, just use toothpicks and carpenters glue, but I'd rather just avoid the extra tedious work if I can.

EDIT: these are the locks I'm inquiring about:

What I do when the screw is too big is drill the hole out of the buton a bit, and then grind the head of the screw a bit if necessary to fit it in the button. Works great on my Ibanezes...

I've never personally liked those plastic ones.

 

[MikeS]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

The other problem with the metal systems is that there is more load on the screw that holds the strap button in the guitar's body. Since the strap is not farther away from the body there are substantial lever forces on the screw now. That might not play a role in a Les Paul, Strat or Tele, but a SG or double-cut LP, or even a soloist with the button in the upper horn might see the screw break out of the body.

If you have a guitar with the strap button on the back such as an Explorer or a non-modified SG then the thick buttons are out, too.

Come on now... have you ever actually seen that?

 

[uOpt]

Re: Dunlop Strap Locks: Any Good?

Come on now... have you ever actually seen that?

What, exactly? The Strap button in the upper horn? I've seen many SG's like that, if I'm not mistaken Tony Iommi has it.