Schaller Strap-locks: The Untold Story

[@chuchuchip]

I only use Schaller's. On the strap nut I put a drop of Loctite 222 on the nut threads (this works great on jack nuts also). When I screwed on the buttons, I would work some white glue, Titebond or a drop of CA glue into the screw holes. The glue stops the screw from loosening & the glue strengthens the wood fibers. Yes just a drop will allow you to remove the screw if need to with no damage. Use a good fitting, well made screwdriver.

[@georgebowling842]

Thanks for posting this, exactly the info I was looking for regarding screw size. The new design is definitely a bigger screw and and I don't want to modify the hole on my Fender P bass. Currently using knock-off pins from Amazon that do allow use of the original pin screw.

[@joedejesus6363]

Great video, I found this video to be very useful thanks.👍 I used a drop of "Lock -Tite" on that nut when I installed my lock strap.

[@jamesbagabagon]

YESSSIRRR! SO GLAD I FOUND YOU ON WORSHIP GUITAR SOUND!

[@BLOVECU]

a bigger shaft and a smaller hole! pure marketing genius!

[@xvx6663]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@charles3200]

That's what she said... Sorry....I had to.

[@405zx]

@@charles3200 make sense

[@comment.highlighted]

Great explanation and comparison. Very thorough and answered a lot of questions real players would want to know. Subscribed 🙂

[@alastairprydderch2819]

Alastair: I considered buying the 's' locks for my 1974 SG Custom, but I was concerned that the integrated screw might damage the heel/neck of the guitar. You will probably be aware that the strap attaches to an SG behind the neck at the heel. In the end, I decided to buy Grover strap locks because you can use the existing guitar screw to anchor the button at this point. It also appears that the 's' screw has a thicker thread than the old lock and it has been reported that this has damaged some guitars when used. The shaft of the lock has also been lengthened considerably. This means that, with an SG, the lock attached to the strap would stick in your stomach. Having said all of this, I've got the old-style Schaller Strap locks on some of my other guitars and they have been fine. I hope that this information helps those considering a purchase.

[@MHDoBetter]

That explains it! Was trying to figure out why/how Long and Mcquade has a Levi guitar strap with Schaller strap lockes for $40. Its the older design!

[@Noone-of-your-Business]

I don't like the new design. It fits so tight that the lock keeps twisting against the belt. I screwed it on as hard as I could without breaking it, but the two metal parts have so much friction that after a few dozen uses of the guitar, the lock sometimes points dangerously _downward,_ so that the entire weight of the instrument rests on the _securing pin_ and *not* the horseshoe rim. This is a clear design flaw.

[@williambartholomew5680]

That's why I find the anti-Dunlop arguments interesting, the Schaller is just as likely to fail (very unlikely) and your only saving grace is that the horseshoe craddle be pointed the right way and that's not always going to happen. For the Schaller to win my heart they need to be far less bulky and have a longer locking shaft to rely less on the loose spinning horseshoe. Most straps have a slot for a hole not a perfectly round dot so they should add a removable locking pin/blade over the horseshoe to keep the horseshoe aligned with the strap at all times.

[@noaht13]

Thank you! Very helpful.

[@meinhendl]

short and percise video. thank you ! I recently bought a brandnew fender ultra lux. not really cheap. great , that Fender installed the Schaller locks. but, shame on Fender , they gave the old model on a guitar 2400€ !

[@thumbsdownbandit]

The old system was fine but the patent ran out and too many companies copied them and sold them for much cheaper so Schaller decided to come up with something different.

[@PhillRobinson]

Nice video Michael.

[@charlesheinrich6817]

Nice well made vid, thanks for the info.

[@Michaelkeyreal]

Thanks. I'm glad you like it.

[@myguitarcloud5987]

Great review! I have old shallers on my guitar and I don't know why I have need to switch to dimarzio cliplock..... Shaller is badass!!! Dimarzio have much many cons.....

[@zackyallen2713]

I have a bass with Dunlop's. The top button came loose and I put in a bigger (wider) screw in there. I could refill the whole and add the new ones in but here's the catch...My finish is cracked right under the button lol. Idk I'll have to think about it.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

Will the old locks work on the new buttons?

[@HCkev]

I really don't like the taller release pin. I wish they made it shorter and wider (so you can still grab it easily), similar the to the Daddario strap locks. This is a problem with some guitars such as the Gibson SG where the strap button is located behind the guitar, the release pin stab you in the waist

[@enkiorion1347]

Shut up!!!!

[@CjL24]

Really great informative video, I got the old locks and need new buttons. On schallers website they say it works to use the old locks with the new buttons but is not recommended. Since the new hole is smaller will it have a more snug fit or does it even work?

[@alldaylong7107]

I'm looking at possibly using Fender-branded strap locks, which look exactly like the old-style Schallers. Do you know the story behind those? I'm wondering if Schaller had a patent that expired, which is why they have a new style and why Fender can make ones that look just like the old Schallers...

[@mojoemurphy]

I preferred the older design. Haven't been really happy with the new ones. Still better than Dunlop though

[@ggallqas1535]

Can the old strap lock fit on a new button?

[@Michaelkeyreal]

Yes

[@NelsonJeanGaasch]

@@Michaelkeyreal -Actually they don't... My strap has the old strap locks, just got new buttons from amazon installed on new guitar, and they are NOT safe: the locks fall out without puilling the plug; thanks god I was holding the guitar when I tried them on!!!

[@CharlesWillisBonsai]

Thanks for showing the differences. I wondered if the new screw was the same size or not. It might be helpful to drill 1/8" to 1/4" further into the existing screw holes before installing the new strap buttons. There is probably a minimal chance of splitting the wood if you didn't though.

[@therangersinger]

The best strap locks are no strap locks. Oversized buttons like the one found on suhr guitars are the best. They are so good I actually get a little pissed when i take the strap off the guitar.

[@Pandamasque]

Metal strap locks are mostly for those of us, who have to take the strap off every time they put away the guitar, so it fits it in the case. Otherwise I'd just use a tight washer type "lock" and forget about them.

[@therangersinger]

@@Pandamasque yup, I can understand that perspective.

[@mouthmw]

I take the straps off my basses every time I'm done using them live. I tried a few strap lock systems, don't like any of them because I find faults in all of them (higher screw torque, possible mechanical failure, weird looking pin ends, etc). I just make sure my straps are in good condition, my strap buttons aren't loose and that's it. Never had an issue. As long as my straps are securely on the buttons, all is good. If the strap leather ends get so used up they no longer sit nicely on the button, I'll replace the strap (hasn't happened yet).

[@joeykimble62]

why did they put an easily strippable hex screw in the new design? I tried them and threw them and the hex screw began to strip...just like hex screws are destined to do. I got that garbage off my guitar immediately before power tools became to the only way to do so. Who thought that asking customers to put a hex screw into their guitars would be a good idea?

[@CalvinMagnusMusic]

I used to love and be obsessed with the Dunlop Straploks for years but after a brand-new set failed and drop my guitar straight to the ground I'm never buying them again. Yeah, I know it might have been a faulty unit in like 10,000 that left the factory, but I don't care. If I pay for a product that is intended to lock my strap in place and I trust my very expensive/favorite guitars with it, I expect it to do its job and do it well, so failing one time only is really all I need. Anyway, my cat-like reflexes were, fortunately, quick enough for me to catch the neck of my favorite guitar right on time and avoid the tragedy about 3 inches from the floor, but I feel for those who may not get so lucky. So, since that incident happened my advice for all my fellow guitarists has been to ditch those Dunlop abominations out of your beloved guitars, and instead switch to these babies right here, Schaller S-Locks, because the mechanism on these is designed in such a way that even in the remote possibility that they fail to lock the strap (something already pretty much impossible to happen because it is spring-locked tightly and strongly) it will still secure your guitar in place because of the way the lock connects to the guitar from below. You would only notice that it "failed" if/when you took off the strap yourself, basically. So, what this means is that with this straplock, your guitar is literally always secure and protected from a disaster, I mean even gravity itself is on your side and helping. A disaster just can't happen even if you wanted to and so it's absolutely perfect. Sorry for the rant, but friends don't let friends buy Dunlop Straploks. Stay safe and Rock On \m/

[@euthanasie8017]

I actually had the same problem with the Dunlops, even though using it for a short period of time. Don't buy that thing folks!

[@marcelchaloupka]

Very disappointed in the S-locks. The 4mm thread diameter is a disaster and the extra length of the lock Makes it bulky and causes an issue with cases.

[@nimitz1739]

Yes you with cases? Just take the strap like off before you put it in a case like everyone else does

[@317consulting5]

The screws that come with it are too small.

[@TheBluesine]

Yeah the size/height of the Schallers is bad,,, looks terrible

[@officialWWM]

I don’t like these strap locks. They are too bulky and make a lot of noise!

[@beezyflippins]

DunlAp? Isn’t it Dunl*O*p?

[@mr.timebombman2230]

I just use a grommet.

[@alldaylong7107]

Just bought a new guitar and went to pick up some Schallers.... until I discovered the single-piece strap button. Total B.S.

[@davep.5662]

I won't ever use this style lock ever again. The U shape is a major design floor. The pin on my licks got worn and my bass game craving at a gig multiple times. The U shaped channel was pointing down after I pointed it up. It moves around so the U shape is useless if the pin doesn't hold, which it didn't. Avoid this design at all costs.

[@nimitz1739]

It want movie if you tighten it up correctly. But yes it will definitely move around if it’s not tight.

[@wrenchhead4378]

New ones suck…. Mega fail…. The old ones were far superior

[@JohnJones22856]

Trivial nonsense! Useless video.

[@ramencurry6672]

Stop shouting