How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

[Andrew Lamprecht]

I've been using sure lock straps. $10 or so a peice, built in strap locks never failed on me.... but they have plastic strap locks that push against the finish if you move around a lot. I noticed yesterday that the finish has indentations and scratches all around the buttons after keeping it on for a week or so.

I was thinking some ghetto stuff and taking an old t shirt and making some makeshift padding with it around the plastic areas. Just supergluing it to the ends of the straps where it is scratching the finish.... sound like a good idea?

I don't mind the straps, they are reliable, etc etc. I just don't like the scratching....

 

[ErikH]

Whatever works. I've been using the Gotoh oversized strap buttons on my two SG's and my PRS came with oversized buttons. No issues with them and no scratching from anything on the strap.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

I just kept the original strap buttons since the sure locks work so well.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

Don't use those strap locks or don't worry about the marks...

All my guitars have a little "rash" around the strap lock...I say big deal...beats a broken guitar because it fell off the strap!

 

[blueman335]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

Why not spend a few more bucks and get metal strap locks? There's no finish rubbing.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

You could try and fit a felt washer between the strap and the body.
Or cut some felt and use double sided tape to stick it to the plastic instead of a t-shirt.

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

Why not spend a few more bucks and get metal strap locks? There's no finish rubbing.

+1. You get exactly the same footprint on the guitar as with stock strap buttons, and nothing on the strap or the lock ever touches the finish.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

Schaller and Dunlop strap locks have their own set of issues...

I'd rather deal with the issues from my leather locks then buy any more Schaller or Dunlop locks.

Of course Andrew is using a different system all together but that's still my opinion.

 

[uOpt]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

The leather wasn't that hard either, with enough pressure cloth will leave the same marks.

I don't think they will ever go deep, you you can just polish them out when you get real strap locks later

 

[Redmist]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

Make black tape your new best friend ....

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

I've never had a problem with Schaller strap locks. I've been using them on all my guitars for over 5 years. What kind of "issue" can there be if they are installed and used correctly?

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

I've used these on a guitar before. That strap wasn't going anywhere!

 

[Rich_S]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

Use standard Fender-style strap buttons and Grolsch beer washers with a soft leather or suede strap.

 

[blueman335]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

I've never had a problem with Schaller strap locks. I've been using them on all my guitars for over 5 years. What kind of "issue" can there be if they are installed and used correctly?

Schaller, Dunlop, etc. That's what I use.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

I just kept the original strap buttons since the sure locks work so well.

Except they don't actually work well because they're damaging your guitar.

Buy some real strap locks and you won't have any problems. I've been using Dunlop locks for over a decade with just cheap Ernie Ball nylon straps and I've had zero issues - and I'm a fairly active player on stage. Spend the $21.99 or whatever it is and get some real strap locks instead of these gimmick ones since they obviously wreck the guitar.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

Schaller and Dunlop strap locks have their own set of issues...

I'd rather deal with the issues from my leather locks then buy any more Schaller or Dunlop locks.

Of course Andrew is using a different system all together but that's still my opinion.

What issues? I've been using Dunlops over 10 years and I've had zero failures, zero adjustments, and zero finish wear. And I'm not a statue on the stage.

 

[JordanM82]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

I have Dunlop on both my main guitars and have zero problems... been on them for over 4 years for each guitar...

 

[Kam]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

The answer to this is so simple. Sand off all the finish. Sorted.

You're welcome.

 

[blueman335]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

The answer to this is so simple. Sand off all the finish. Sorted.

You're welcome.

And then the plastic strap locks gradually chew up the unprotected wood. Good plan.

 

[Varg]

Re: How to protect a guitars finish around straps....

The answer to this is so simple. Sand off all the finish. Sorted.

You're welcome.

Thats a silly idea.

Play sitting down.