Honest Review: Schaller S-Locks

[@BradsGuitarGarage]

"You drop a Telecaster, you worry about the floor" Classic!

[@kaskas55]

I’ve played high gain with the old Schaller straplocks for years without any rattling issues.

[@joybuzzer]

I had a Schaller strap lock failure a few years ago. The plunger mechanism for releasing the strap lock separated from the pin. I had to use a Dremel to cut it off the $2000 guitar. That's not something I want to ever have to do again. I've had problems with noise from strap locks, mainly when playing sitting down with a strap. The only strap lock I use now are the rubber orings from Fender.

[@liamphillips7315]

Yeah, that rattling noise was a real thing. I'm using the new ones now and it's great 👍

[@Geoffrey_White]

A few notes to add, I have found the new strap button screws are a larger diameter than stock on my asian guitars. I also wanted to add that they actually offer 3 different screw lengths on the strap buttons although few dealers stock them. Lastly they do sell buttons only in all finishes and sizes that can be bought directly from Schaller’s website. I use these on all of my guitars without issues or failures.

[@marksanders650]

A perfect designed strap lock for sure! I have them on all my gitars!!

[@StephenFinkNRP]

I like the rubber washer type locks for most of my guitars. I bought a Rickenbacker 360 recently and it seems to be set up for strap locks. Rubber washers will not fit after the strap is in place. Looking at the Schaller's as I think it might fit the existing pins.

[@bradtindall2588]

Oversized pins. Works like a charm. Toothpick in the hole before you drive the new ones so they don't pop out on you.

[@Jeffcatbuckeye]

I have a Rick. The S locks fit the factory rickenbacker schaller mounts great. You just need the S-locks, but I just bought the entire package.

[@chipsterb4946]

My old Schaller strap locks have liberal doses of blue loctite. That bushing was too short. Don’t ask me what happened... all I can say is blue shag carpet minimized potential damage.

[@m.whitleyacton821]

Is there a correlation between the blue shag carpet and the blue loctite?

[@MetalCheeseDeathAttack]

Thank you so much for talking about the screw length on the back! I bought an SG back in 2017 and tried to install Dunlop strap locks, but the screw was too long to go in the back. Thankfully I didn’t cause any serious damage since I stopped when it felt too tight to keep turning. I ended up going the rubber ring route on the back. I’m curious if you can tell me, are the s type “s” locks better than the standard? It looks like Schaller has a small, medium, and large screw length on their website, and I wonder if the “small” screw would work with an SG.

[@Skiddins]

I very recently fitted the exact same straplocks to an Epiphone SG, I do find that depending on the angle I hold the guitar etc, the post is a bit long and can poke into my belly. Should note I also have the guitar a bit lower than yourself.

[@JamesMorton-hf3xb]

I've been using Schaller's since the late '80s without a single issue.

[@r.llynch4124]

Schaller is the best. I use the S locks, speed knobs, and top locking M6 pinned tuners on everything

[@szczepanskipj]

For someone playing at home in a sitting position close to the classic position it can hurt a thigh because it's quite pointy. Locxx is a better choice.

[@zemlidrakona2915]

My experience is 95% of the time I'll twist the head off a screw before cracking a piece of hardwood, but I guess both cases are sub-optimal.

[@DoItYourselfMusician]

I've never had a problem with the older Schaller strap lock noise being amplified by my pickups but I don't play high gain either. Didn't know anyone had a problem with that. LOL Anyway I have the new s-locks on my Gretsch and I like them so far. Good improvements.

[@kaskas55]

I play high gain & use the old Schallers. Never had issues with rattling lol

[@bassyey]

I have Dunlop locks on several basses, light 4 strings, heavy 5 strings. Some of the locks rusting, some new. No problems at all. Don't need hex, allen stuff, easy to install. I'll try Schaller with my guitar, since it's a less important instrument to me.

[@PsionicAudio]

I've had some issues with these. Will be doing an "X months later review" soon. Hold off on buying these. They are quiet, unlike the Dunlop or older Schaller, but they tend to lock up - strap doesn't want to rotate on the button.

[@bassyey]

@@PsionicAudio Oh no. I actually bought it. I have the same issue! It doesn't spin that much due to being fitted on the pin, like overly fit. I'm worried it might unscrew the pin after a few months. Maybe lubricating the pin and catch mechanism will do? My Dunlops spin freely. But I didn't put it on my ES-335 because it sticks out too much on the pin behind the neck. So I guess that's my only criticism of Dunlops, and yes they're noisy, Schalers are silent, because there's no tolerance, resulting to "locking".

[@kal5163]

Sorry, I don't get it - how do you make a schaller strap lock rattle, once the strap is on, unless you shake the guitar? Who does that? I've used schallers for decades, and the only time they've rattled when playing is.. ... ... ... ... ... never! What am I doing wrong?

[@PsionicAudio]

I've had them rattle and it was audible through the amp. Maybe it depends on the resonance of the guitar. Mine were Strats with trems.

[@davep.5662]

I'll never use this type of strap lock again. Eventually the pin becomes worn and either doesn't lock in or it gets stuck and you can't get your strap off. Combine that with the U shaped cup will at some point turn upside down and you're guitar will fall off, which happened to me several times. I switched to the Ernie Balls and love them. The Dunlops have the same tech as the Ernie Balls, much better design with the center locking ball bearings.

[@jakjan1]

really great advice,thank you

[@m.whitleyacton821]

These WILL retrofit, per Schaller, and my own investigation.

[@Metalcop5150]

The Schaller S Locks and the older style are 100% interchangeable!! They changed the plunger, to make the tolerances tighter and they beveled it, for easier installation, but it fits the old strap locks and the S Locks fit the old buttons and vice versa etc. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eISsn4J7oqqknrcsi=Wouzc0gfOEokFAyN

[@Rainydaydreamaway7]

Hey man, I sent you a message a while back but didnt hear back and just stumbled across your channel so I figure I'll ask quick. Do you still do the mods for marshall class 5 amps?

[@NudnikShpilkus]

I get a lot of creaks in addition to rattle with the old Schallers....

[@PsionicAudio]

At the end of this video right when I say "no rattle" there is a clink sound. That was the back of the guitar hitting a metal button on my jacket. ;) These don't rattle and they don't creak. I am really pleased with them.

[@NudnikShpilkus]

I have one or two sets of the new ones. The new strap buttons' screw seems slightly skinnier, so sometimes the existing hole is a little loose....

[@woozyjoe4703]

How did you find the fitting of these? Dd you need to drill or fill?

[@PsionicAudio]

Stock neck screw was thinner and shorter, so I adjusted that hole (described in the video). Behind the bridge was a direct fit. I would expect Strats and LPs etc to be no fuss. SG neck strap screws are shorter.

[@michaelhooks3644]

@@PsionicAudio uh video says screw is longer...?????

[@jasper_north]

Is the screw longer then the previous ones?

[@PsionicAudio]

Yes. I'm pretty sure I mentioned that.

[@jasper_north]

@@PsionicAudio I thought just a different size from the previous system. Will check again. Want to use them for my D18.

[@PsionicAudio]

Be very cautious with a Martin heel joint with these. Unless you are very experienced, that's a job for a good tech. Will take them ten minutes and potentially save you hundreds or more. PS I wouldn't use any mechanical locking system on an acoustic. YMMV.

[@jasper_north]

@@PsionicAudio some told me the same. The mechanical part on the leather strap won’t touch the wood. At the jack side I will install the Nomad Acousti Lok. Plug n play. Well this is my plan. Ever looked into that system?? It matches the Schallers… Will go to a good luther

[@slamponyp]

I don't shake my guitar when I play anymore.....

[@joeytorres8858]

Exactly!!!

[@paulnicolosi4792]

I’ve been playing bass professionally for 50 years and never needed a strap lock. I figured out how a strap works, early on. If the strap gets loose, you sew the hole smaller, when that won’t work, throw it away and buy another strap. Easy.

[@tolabassist3302]

Damn a new leather strap gonna cost $90 -$200 Strap lock $20 -$40

[@wulf67]

My granny never needed a Driver's License. She figured out how to lower her expectations and rely on other people to get her to the grocery store and doctor's appointments. Easy!

[@jemsar2]

Wait..your review doesn’t even show the strap, the lock, or the fit until 2:41? Some review...

[@PsionicAudio]

IKR? Context suxx.

[@trd4life302]

Try Loxx guitar strap locks, thank me later

[@KillerKev1961]

I use the new ones on all my guitars> Even my cheapo geetarz.

[@helio1055]

I mean nobody is just picking up their guitar in the middle of a song to shake it lmfao

[@roy9066]

I've been using old shaller locks for over 10 years, had installed the buttons on two of my guitars. I just got a new guitar, and while looking for the buttons, I thought I'll give this new version a try. Putting the button and the screw into one piece is really a bad design choice. It might save some cost on productions, but for the customers, it limits the usage. The screws were larger than what I had for my guitar. (Larger and longer threads). This will crack your finish bad if you don't drill before putting them on! They really should have allowed users to choose already existing screws if needed. This is really a dumb choice IMO. Also, the one of the locks pull is very sticky and it's really hard to unlock. I think this is poor quality control. Maybe it will loosen up overtime, but it is really rigid and hard to unlock right now. I do give some credit for its rattle free design as they advertised. But overall I am very disappointed. I trusted the Shaller name, and went for it despite there are many other cheaper third party parts out there. Now I think maybe I should have gone for that with out paying premium for their name. I'd adivse anyone who's looking to get this one just to go older style locks, or at lease older style buttons.

[@PsionicAudio]

A drop of Tri-Flow oil makes them work much better. No binding.

[@tjchad1]

One of the benefits of the S-Lock is they work with the old buttons. The old locks do not work with the new buttons. At least that is what the specs and this video say! EDIT- I just checked mine- S Lock also fits my old buttons... and old locks fit S Lock buttons not sure why the specs say they do not.

[@bradtindall2588]

Dude I love your videos. You can fix all these amps, but strap locks stump you? Oversized strap pins with a beer washer. It’s all you’ll ever need on any guitar. Strap fits snug to the body and deadly quiet. Washers are a few cents. All strap locks are a total nightmare and gimmick.

[@PsionicAudio]

The Grolsch washers don’t fit on a pin with every thickness strap. And they make it harder to take the strap off (and doing it a lot wears out the washer).

[@bradtindall2588]

@@PsionicAudio Oversized pins work perfectly. Sure you need to find the right combo for your strap. For example the Dunlop pins without using the strap lock, but there are many other oversized pins. Stewmac makes a oversized washers that are easier to tug on. I had been messing around with straplocks for years until I realized this is totally the way to go. A lot of rig rundows you will see the washers. It's a nice soft natural feel for the player with no jangling around and keeps the strap tight to the body of the guitar as we are used to. Love your videos. Keep em coming!

[@BradsGuitarGarage]

I have a bloody crate of these things. I hope they sell. Haha!

[@RefactoringRyan]

Where at? I'm in the market for some.

[@Metalcop5150]

My S locks review!! 100% interchangeable w/ the old style. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJKmlXmGf8qjosksi=caekQKYqSV91OGjQ

[@Merrillizer]

Mahogany is a "soft" wood? What planet are you on??

[@boddumblues]

I'm a cabinetmaker by trade and I can attest to mahogany being a soft wood. Especially when it comes fastening things tight. Take hard ash as an example, very different story. As a guitar repairman I have had to deal with screws coming loose many, many times, and mahogany is bad for this purpose. The real Cuba mahogany is virtually non existing today, even Honduran is rare. Most so called mahoganies are just lookalikes, brown wannabees. FWIW