Schaller hardware...

[Rex_Rocker]

Man, I know people tend to think very highly of Schaller stuff, but I have some chrome straplocks that randomly started have the finish flake off today. I don't even use a strap all that often. I installed them some months ago, they just sat there on the guitar. Not exaggerating, I've worn that guitar on a strap like twice.

It's not the first time this has happened to me. I've had the Schaller tailpiece in chrome. Same problem. Randomly flakes off. GTM bridge. Same problem.

I also have some Kluson-style tuners on my Les Paul which work well, but the washers and bushings are all sorts of marred even if I tightented them with the correct tool. I assume it's because they're soft brass. But I swear whenever I adjust anything that's meant to be adjusted on Schaller hardware, I use the right tool.

I could just have very bad luck, but I just don't think Schaller hardware is all that great, to be honest.

 

[solspirit]

I try to stick with nickel.

 

[Mincer]

Never had any Schaller issues, and I use their S locks on all guitars. Some gold, some chrome, some nickel. Generally, the stock metal on the bridge or tuners seems to tarnish before the locks do.

 

[jeremy]

i havent had a issue either and im not easy with my toys

 

[uOpt]

I only have Schaller hardware from decades ago and the finish is still perfect.

 

[jeremy]

i have a friend who has terribly caustic sweat, like eats steel watches, his hardware get tarnished very quickly

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Mine isn't tarnished. It's just the chrome coating flakes off. My sweat isn't acidic. Strings tend to last me a long time compared to many of my friends.

My sample pool isn't huge, but it's not small either. I've had bridges, tuners, and straplocks. Multiple of them.

I really like the GTM bridge, but I found it super odd about the straplocks. And the washers and bushings for the tuners made out of soft brass... I mean... I guess they do it for T3H tOanZ... but they mar super easily.

 

[solspirit]

Black chrome is different

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Black chrome is different

You mean something chemical/physical as far as the properties of the plating?

Or do you just mean the name? Because I believe Schaller actually call "black chrome" what we just call "black" hardware. "Black chrome" does mean something different in Gotoh world, but Schaller calls that same finish "ruthenium".

 

[solspirit]

I guess I'm thinking about Gotoh

 

[Ascension]

Have owned many guitars with Schaller hardware and have never had a finish issue. The only thing I have ever had any issue with from them was the old Schaller Floyd trem with the thick baseplates from the 1990s. They had a nasty habit of stripping the threads in the baseplate that hold the saddles.

 

[Artie]

I've had the 3D-6 bridge for about 20 years. (Nickel, I think.) With no problems. Also, a set of tuners, but not installed on anything, so doesn't really count.

https://schaller.info/en/3d-6/1212

P.S. Never heard of Ruthenium before.

 

[orpheo]

I work with Schaller professionally, and I have never, ever, had issues with their coating. I'm in charge of the RMA department of where I work, and never have I heard this complaint before.

 

[solspirit]

I've had the 3D-6 bridge for about 20 years. (Nickel, I think.) With no problems. Also, a set of tuners, but not installed on anything, so doesn't really count.

https://schaller.info/en/3d-6/1212

P.S. Never heard of Ruthenium before.

https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/44/ruthenium

 

[Artie]

^^^ Yup. I looked it up after seeing it.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I work with Schaller professionally, and I have never, ever, had issues with their coating. I'm in charge of the RMA department of where I work, and never have I heard this complaint before.

I haven't bother to return mine, but I swear I'm not exaggerating. I've had it happen on multiple articles.

I love Schaller design in general, but I've must have the worst of luck with their chrome-plated stuff.

 

[AlexEvan]

Never had an issue with Schaller. I have a set of their straplocks for a couple of years now with no issues their stuff seems top notch. A collector buddy of mine has a Gibson or two with their bridges swapped for Schaller's for a few years ( both chrome ) and no issues. He even has one of those Dean Gordon Guitars something fairly boutique with one of those ergonomic Schaller Hanne bridges in black chrome and that has no issues either.

 

[AdrianSD]

I haven't bother to return mine, but I swear I'm not exaggerating. I've had it happen on multiple articles.

I love Schaller design in general, but I've must have the worst of luck with their chrome-plated stuff.

Riiight, so should I feel relieved I'm not the only unlucky one? Unfortunately the Schaller straplocks have been a big let down for me. At the moment I have 4 (four!) sets stashed in a drawer, all chrome plated and not only they flake off and I end up with that dark fine powder on my fingers every time I touch the contact areas between the lock & the strap button, but there's something very wrong somewhere, because the lock actually rubs against the button on ALL 4 sets, they catch so badly that the screws are actually coming unstuck. I don't know man, is it the Queensland weather / humidity, is it me? Not kidding, I even wrote them and both Frau Alexandra and Dr Lars were very accommodating and sent me 2 sets and a nice Parker pen for free, but they have the same problem. I'm sure other products of theirs are top class, but their straplocks just don't work for me.
I'm now using Dunlops and Daddario and they're perfectly fine.

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

I've only had good experiences with all my schaller straploks and hardware.