What is a straplock?

This virtually defines what's up with strap locks, to me. Especially the original, and very old Dunlop system.

http://www.musiciansnetwork.com/products/category/GuitarStraplocks_287/index.html

I use Schaller exclusively, since Fender came out with Schaller locks on their American guitars in the mid 80's. I put them on every brand, Gibson, Ibanez etc., doesn't have to be Fender - then your favorite strap switches from one guitar to another, and locks on, with a firm, fast and secure SNAP.

Of course these will keep your axe from falling through the eye at the end of your strap, and smashing on the floor, whatever. Gotta love this second close up, from MF.

http://www.stevesmusic.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3418

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Schaller-Strap-Locks-and-Buttons-Pair-?sku=360389#new

OK, I got it. I guess since my straps fit so tightly on the strap pins, I never gave it a thought. I have a strap on each of my guitars, one I decided would be that particular guitar's semi-permanent strap.

And if your lazy like me you'll buy them 12 months ago and still ave them in the bag. Maybe this wwill motivate me to actually put them on my guitar, the leather strap constantly falls off.

I have strap locks on almost all my guitars. 2 don't have them, so that means I probably own some 20 sets of strap locks. :lol: I have both Schaller and Dunlop. Have been partial to the Dunlops as of late. Why do I use them you ask? The dent in the head stock of my first Gibson les Paul. :cry: Bothered me so much I eventually traded it.

Cool TR! I have a rule about strap locks too - just have to use them, not a matter of choice. I'm a straplock fanatic, and a verbal proponent, recommending them? :shock:

It was my first real electric guitar that fell off my strap, first chance it got, around 1972. It wasn't one of many I tried from Sears or Canada's Eatons Store that I returned, but the real, old Tele - my first electric baby? It smacked the cement really bad.

I think that only my PRS twins don't get straplocks because they have these humungous retainers on them that I can barely fit any strap over in the first place, and I forgot to mention - I have a Gretsch which just screws down over the strap, if I ever use a strap on it. Naah, it's more of a lap guitar, not taking any more chances. :lol:

Don't get the plastic hook-on ones. I tried them once and my guitar has never forgiven me. :(

Eaton stores? Blue Jay? Are you near Toronto Blue Jay? (Toronto's baseball team is the Blue Jays) If so ... I live 3 - 4 hours away. :D In either case ... go strap locks!

There are less barbaric versions of strap locks than the ones shown. I tried those....they suck........

try this........more mechanically sound..

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Schaller-Strap-Locks-and-Buttons-Pair-?sku=360389

Don't get the plastic hook-on ones.

Just curious ... what do those look like? These?:
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Planet-Waves-PWSPL200-POLYPRO-GUITAR-STRAP?sku=501561

Eaton stores? Blue Jay? Are you near Toronto Blue Jay? (Toronto's baseball team is the Blue Jays) If so ... I live 3 - 4 hours away. :D In either case ... go strap locks!

Oh yeah, I was very near Toronto, especially because it is such a big area, that we refer to being a little outside (the park, ha ha!) as being in Toronto - so for sure! I also like the Jays, but not their recent 3 game losing streak. :roll:

Anyhow, guitar stores are just wonderful in Toronto, such as the Twelth Fret, and that ubiquitous chain Long & McQuaid have been really good to me over the years - they know that their customers are their reason to be?

I think I know where all the other Music Stores and Pawn Shops are, but for some reason, have never bonded or connected - in nearly 40 years, what's up with that, I wonder? 'Scuse me, except for Tundra - vintage guitars. :wink:

As of now, I'm in the middle of nowhere, or at the head of the big lake, so far away, Thunder Bay. :|

I live in New York but from my house, Canada is over the hill and across the river. (Actually 1/2 way across :lol: ) I've been to Toronto quite a few times, beautiful city. I love the ball park, the zoo and Canada's Wonderland. I can't visit anymore though till I either get a pass port or a stupid enhanced license.

There are less barbaric versions of strap locks than the ones shown. I tried those....they suck........

try this........more mechanically sound..

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Schaller-Strap-Locks-and-Buttons-Pair-?sku=360389

Cool! Those are exactly what I use on just about everything. Schallers. Fender started the trend for me, as I mentioned.

Here's a Splatter Tele which I built - it's got them Schallers. There's no slippage compared to the vintage Trucker's Tele. :lol:

I also built this '65 relic replica Strat, but added new hardware including secure locks.

Not very authentic, but the new chrome stuff works, keeps in tune and nothing slips.

So it's pretty well one strap (with locks) fits all, specifically electrics, and GGH's link to Planet Waves locking strap seems like a good idea, and there you have it, another version - it is in the strap, wow, and not as much dependent on what kind of guitar or buttons you use. :D

Don't get the plastic hook-on ones.

Just curious ... what do those look like? These?:
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Planet-Waves-PWSPL200-POLYPRO-GUITAR-STRAP?sku=501561

I can't find them, which I hope means they're no longer made, but like the PW's you linked to, they attach to the strap allowing you to use one strap on several guitars. But the design was crap, and they snapped straight in half on me mid-gig. :evil: :evil: :evil:

Just curious ... what do those look like? These?:
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Planet-Waves-PWSPL200-POLYPRO-GUITAR-STRAP?sku=501561

I had one of the Planet Wave's locking straps about 2 years ago and it worked ok but it can rub the guitar finish. You're also limited to whatever strap those special locking ends come on.

I stopped using it and have switched over to Schaller strap locks. The plus to these over Duncan's version is that if the locking mechanism fails the strap will still stay on the guitar due to gravity (there's a little u-shaped cup on the strap end) and this isn't the case with the Duncans.

The only thing to be careful of with the Schaller's is that the nut that holds the strap lock to the strap can work loose over time especially with thick straps. I find it best to crank the nut down with a socket wrench over a few days - the leather will compress some. After a couple of days I loosen the nut, drop on some low strength lock-tite (in case I ever want to take it off), and then re-tighten the nut.