Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

[Myaccount876]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

I use home-made idiot proof strap locks. It is literally impossible to remove the strap unless you unscrew the strap lock, pull the strap button out, remove the lock, and yank off the strap. I just use heavy duty plastic bottle caps that are thick, cut them flat, poke a hole in them, and assemble in this order:

1. Strap button
2. Strap lock (On the screw, not button)
3. Strap (On screw)
4. Strap lock (On screw)

You don't need the lock for step four, I just have it for more security. 100% idiot-proof.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

I was a Dunlop user for a long time. Apparently too long. They got to be a PITA to put on and remove. Rather than becoming insecure, they got sticky to the point where it was really hard to take 'em out. I switched to Schallers about 15 years ago and haven't had any issues even though I have a lot more guitars now.

That's not to say that I think that the Schallers are flawless, just that I'm more accepting of their issues than I am of most anything else out there.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

Schallers. It's the first mod I do to any guitar I get.

 

[post toastie]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

Schaller.

i actually don't like Straplocks at all, but when i bought my Mustang (used) years ago, the top (wing) screw was stripped. i bought Schallers and fortunately found that the supplied screw was a nice size larger than the stock Fender screw. i almost decided to just use the screw on the stock Fender button. but i hate Fender buttons. they have never failed me in 28 years. they do get a bit squeaky though. doesn't bother me at all.

i was gonna replace them because of the squeak, but found that the newer Straplocks have a much smaller screw. does anyone know why they changed it ?

Dunlop ? never liked the looks and that gap / extension / space that others have mentioned bugged me too.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

i prefer shcallers...ive got them on 3 axes and i have dunlops on one. The schallers just feel safer cos of the way they sit BUT....i reckon you need to use a dab of loctite on then, cos they can come loose. Having said that, the dunlops are very reliable and yo ucan use the buttons on normal straps too.

 

[jcthejester13]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

The fact that Jolly went with Dunlop makes me even more glad that that is what I use.

Long live Jolly!

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

Dunlops.

 

[Chad]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

Schaller. I've used them for over 15 years and they are great. Most people who have problems with them simply don't understand how they work, how to install them, and/or how to properly maintain them.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

Schaller. I've used them for over 15 years and they are great. Most people who have problems with them simply don't understand how they work, how to install them, and/or how to properly maintain them.

Yep. Neither one is foolproof.

 

[bigmack209]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

I've used both. Dunlops first, then schallers, then back to the same set of dunlops. The Schallers make some noise and wiggle around a lot. the metal-on-metal is noisy. Dunlops wear out a little faster, and can sometimes get a little sticky. they're smaller and easier to remove (but not dangerously easier). I switched back because the schallers didn't fit directly into my case with the strap on the guitar... I had to take it off every time i put it away. With the dunlops i just leave them on.

 

[9unslin9er]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

I have both and both have served their purpose efficiently for many years.

I like better the looks of the Schallers.

HTH,

This definitely motivates my use of Schallers.

Had Dunlops on my first Les Paul.

Never failed me, but pissed the hell out of me I could only use one strap on it.
Just too big and clunky.

I use a 2 1/2 leather strap and it's thin enough I don't need to actually attach thelock to the strap, I just slip it over.

Never even use the bottom lock. Schallers are just more streamlined and look sexier.

But for people who don't want to mod their guitars, nothing beats a Dunlop Ergo lok. Plastic wonders they is.

 

[9unslin9er]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

Or?

 

[Stratman]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

I like the ones on my Gretch guitars and G&L guitars

 

[jumble jumble]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

Even if it fails, the Schaller won't dump your SG onto the floor.

Except that's exactly what happened to me (with a Strat). It does seem, however, that there's a common theme: we all used one until it failed, then switched.

Another plus for the Schallers is the if for some reason you don't have the strap that has the dunlop locks in it you can't put any strap on you guitar.

The Dual Design ones fix that.

I do agree that the distance from guitar to strap is a bit big with the Dunlops. I'd be interested in looking at the flushmount ones.

Incidentally, Dunlop users, how do you put the strap in? I do it like this:

1. Push the end into the hole until it stops (without the button pushed)
2. Push the button, which causes the pin to go further in and stop again
3. Release the button

I find this is a reliable way to know that I've properly locked the strap. If I push the pin in with the button already pushed, there's no "click" as it passes the locking position.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

DiMarzio ClipLock. Granted you can't use the big wide studded leather or chainmail straps and such, and it always looks like you're wearing a seatbelt, but it's better than picking your guitar up off the floor.

I had the Schaller (the one that looks like a chess pawn sticking off the strap). I didn't like the way it had a "cup" that would rotate and stress the thin metal walls of it.
I had the Dunlops that came with the USA Charvels, and those seemed more reliable, plus they had a smaller profile (i.e. didn't look like something I snatched off top of the lampshade). Still didn't like how easy it was to accidentally hit the button, though.

With ClipLocks, you have to WANT to put them on and WANT to take them off. There's no "trick", there's no "care and feeding", there's no "you're not doing it right" - you push it in, it clicks, you go. You squeeze mercilesly and pull, and it's off.

 

[Zhaggy]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

The Dual Design ones fix that.

That's true but the flush mount ones I have on my Yngwie prevent me from using any other strap lock and in doing so I can't use the proper Cheetah Clip Lock strap on that guitar that it deserves.

 

[jcthejester13]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

Incidentally, Dunlop users, how do you put the strap in? I do it like this:

1. Push the end into the hole until it stops (without the button pushed)
2. Push the button, which causes the pin to go further in and stop again
3. Release the button

I find this is a reliable way to know that I've properly locked the strap. If I push the pin in with the button already pushed, there's no "click" as it passes the locking position.

I usually follow the same steps and usually give the strap a little tug to make sure it is locked in- just to make sure.

 

[hareek]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

Except that's exactly what happened to me (with a Strat). It does seem, however, that there's a common theme: we all used one until it failed, then switched.

I really don't see how this is possible other than you weren't using the Schallers correctly. The design is mechanically and structurally impossible to drop your guitar unless of course the wood breaks or the peg comes out of the guitar itself or the metal of the strap lock system breaks apart which I don't see that happening either. Assuming none of those things happen, the strap peg on the guitar hangs inside the U shape of the piece on the strap. Mechanically, the strap lock has no way of coming off of the peg and failing. The only functioning mechanism that could fail is the pin that holds it in place. But this pin does not take any direct load, it just prevents the strap from coming off of the guitar in the opposite direction of how the guitar should be hanging in the first place. Even if this pin were to fail, there's no way possible for the guitar to fall to the floor if you had the Schaller's installed correctly. However I think you had the piece on the strap installed upside down.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

I like Schallers for the U shaped cup the button sits in. These days, though, I'm using the little plastic Planet Waves strap locks, and they work just as well.

 

[Markk]

Re: Straplocks: Dunlop VS. Schaller

I'm in the Schaller camp.