Basses covered in gaffa tape

[Gust0o]

Minor and likely pointless mental meandering here, but thinking back over the last few gigs I've been to, both guitar and bass players seemed utterly obsessed with gaffa tape as a means of securing their straps. One managed to break, causing a brief moment of panic for the player concerned.

I used to do this when I was a teenager and had just started out. I had some awful bulletbelt strap, which needed some adjusting for the "round the knees" playing fashion which I remember being cool.

Is it still cool in some rock-and-roll-chic fashion? Or have people just not heard of straplocks? Seems odd to see so many relatively expensive basses bound up in tape!

[ThomBassmonkey]

It's just quick and easy IME. If you want a pristine look then it's not going to work for you, but if you're doing a punk look, it doesn't matter, you could nail it on for all the difference it makes.

The guitarist in my band's strap is taped on. He batters it about a lot though, so it suits the whole look of it. I've thought about doing something like that with my bass (it has a relic'd finish and it'd look good a bit punked up) but it's not something I'm desperate enough to do.

[skej21]

[quote name='Gust0o' post='1161770' date='Mar 14 2011, 02:01 PM']Minor and likely pointless mental meandering here, but thinking back over the last few gigs I've been to, both guitar and bass players seemed utterly obsessed with gaffa tape as a means of securing their straps. One managed to break, causing a brief moment of panic for the player concerned.

I used to do this when I was a teenager and had just started out. I had some awful bulletbelt strap, which needed some adjusting for the "round the knees" playing fashion which I remember being cool.

Is it still cool in some rock-and-roll-chic fashion? Or have people just not heard of straplocks? Seems odd to see so many relatively expensive basses bound up in tape![/quote]

+ 1

I hate gaffa all over basses!

However, I never used straplocks personally, because I found that the little red rubber seal from grolsch swing bottles does the job just as well (and gives me an excuse to have a beer!). They are also cheap (because I'm happy to pay for the beer ) and not messy like gaffa.

[razze06]

in my tenure on 2nd guitar in a band, I used to wield an old squier strat, with a piece of power cord as trat, secured (...) by two long nails hammered in where the strap buttons used to be.

No, it wasn't a punk band...

[BigRedX]

Can someone please explain how the Grolsch bottle seal holds your strap on?

[skej21]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1161788' date='Mar 14 2011, 02:15 PM']Can someone please explain how the Grolsch bottle seal holds your strap on?[/quote]

You take the seal off the bottle and it's a just a round red '0' shape.

You put the strap onto the bass strap button as normal, and then repeat the process with the seal, placing it onto the strap button over the top of the strap on both strap buttons and it holds the strap on.

EDIT: They are identical to these [url="http://www.straplock.co.uk/catalog3.html"]straplock[/url] but are red instead, and you get the beer!

Edited March 14, 2011 by skej21

[casapete]

I use Jim Dunlop Straploks, the plastic ones that cost around a couple of quid a pair.
Unlike the metal Strap Lock system these does mean you don't have to alter your guitar or strap.
Never had a bass come off using these yet.

(Also +1 for the Grolsch washers ! )

[Gust0o]

As above, Red - though too many Grolsch will hinder your ability to hold your bass steady, regardless of how many seals you use

I thought I was reasonably rock-and-roll, but I still polish the gear - I'm not sure I could go back to sticking gaffa tape onto my bass, or nailing it like some! Crikey!

I did spy a guy with what appeared to be a US Fender Roadworn P held on with those plastic cable ties.

[Cat Burrito]

I too use Grolsch tops, always have. I bought some strap locks once but just prefer the ease of the red rubber ring. No modifications & away you go.

[gub]

I love the grolsch bottle top idea ,think i have a pir of shoes somewhere with them on from my bros days lol!

[73Jazz]

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='1162060' date='Mar 14 2011, 06:35 PM']I too use Grolsch tops, always have. I bought some strap locks once but just prefer the ease of the red rubber ring. No modifications & away you go.[/quote]


so do i, very easy, you can also get blue coloured ones, so there are not so eye-catching.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1161788' date='Mar 14 2011, 03:15 PM']Can someone please explain how the Grolsch bottle seal holds your strap on?[/quote]

Edited March 14, 2011 by 73Jazz

[mcnach]

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='1162060' date='Mar 14 2011, 05:35 PM']I too use Grolsch tops, always have. I bought some strap locks once but just prefer the ease of the red rubber ring. No modifications & away you go.[/quote]

another convert here. Made the switch a while ago after using Schaller and others... brilliant idea.

[Blademan_98]

Gaffa tape is the main stay of my tool kit when gigging. It fixes all manner of problems.

If it's good enough for the 'A' team......

[danny-79]

Always use strap locks, not that i ever throw the bass about to warrant ever needing them but its a bit like putting your seat belt on when you get in your car etc .... pray you never need it.
One off job of fitting them, if you lucky enough to have more than one bass stick to the same brand of locks then can swap, change straps around with minimal hassle etc.

[quote name='casapete' post='1161855' date='Mar 14 2011, 03:08 PM']I use Jim Dunlop Straploks, the plastic ones that cost around a couple of quid a pair.
Unlike the metal Strap Lock system these does mean you don't have to alter your guitar or strap.
Never had a bass come off using these yet.

(Also +1 for the Grolsch washers ! )[/quote]

Found these to me very useful and cost effective especially when planning on using them on something like a Rickenbacker (i.e don't need to change/swap over original strap buttons)

Keep the gaffer tape for taping leads down (or throwing at the drummer )

Grolsch washer, WIN WIN WIN

[RockfordStone]

i had a lefty friend who played a right handed bass upside down and strung the other way round, he used to have his strap stuck to the guitar with gaffa

used to drive me nuts, but he's upgraded since then

[TomKent]

Saw a bass with gaffatape strap locks this weekend, not impressed to say the least haha.

[Jerry_B]

I've never seen the need for strap locks, to be honest...

[MuckedUpFunkies]

[quote name='Jerry_B' post='1162438' date='Mar 14 2011, 09:42 PM']I've never seen the need for strap locks, to be honest...[/quote]

You've never dropped an expensive instrument or been smacked in the face then =)

(happened to me twice in 1 gig. I've used metal strap locks ever since)
Dan

[ThomBassmonkey]

I find straplocks mileage varies.

Anyone that uses a long strap and often tilts their bass up should have them. Even with a stiff leather strap they can still slip off. Single cutaways need them (because the strap pins are often angled up, talking more from guitar there though, les pauls are terrible for it). Anyone that flails around like a madman will also benefit from them.

If I was playing a Fender at a smooth jazz gig, I wouldn't be rushing to the bar for a round of Grolshs though. It never hurts though, it only takes one awkward movement to send your prized instrument crashing to the floor. It's possible to drop the weight of your bass onto the strap while it's twisted in a moment of carelessness at any gig.

[Roland Rock]

I don't like lager. Can anyone recommend a bitter that has these free straplocks on them?

[Mr H]

Gaffa tape? Well if it's good enough for Rob Wright...

[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steeedm/263252981/"][/url]

In fact, he's upgraded to a very smart black sticky tape since then.

[Lfalex v1.1]

[quote name='Roland Rock' post='1162469' date='Mar 14 2011, 09:58 PM']I don't like lager. Can anyone recommend a bitter that has these free straplocks on them?[/quote]
No, but some upmarket oilve oils come in bottles with them on the caps.
Don't go drinking it, though!

[Jerry_B]

[quote name='MuckedUpFunkies' post='1162452' date='Mar 14 2011, 09:50 PM']You've never dropped an expensive instrument or been smacked in the face then =)[/quote]

I've never had a bass slip it's moorings, so to speak Not with the one I used for 20 years nor the ones I use now.

[Buzz]

Grolsch o-rings are brilliant.

Much better than the Schaller straplocks I've used before.

I've made sure I've got spares for if/when I get new instruments. No, you can't have them. Well, unless you buy me the beer first.

[Jerry_B]

[quote name='Mr H' post='1162492' date='Mar 14 2011, 10:06 PM']Gaffa tape? Well if it's good enough for Rob Wright...[/quote]

And that's red one is one of his tidier Precisions...

Edited March 14, 2011 by Jerry_B