Strap Locks

[gs_triumph]

Guys n gals,

I have an ibanez atk 800 recently purchased through the forums here.

I wanted to put strap locks on it so ordered 'no bull' locks of the bay.

However on unscrewing the existing strap button I can see the screws are much thicker than those supplied with the no bull locks. The screws from the bass don't fit through the lock buttons.

Does anyone manufacture locks with bigger screws?

Cheers

[Cameronj279]

I'm not sure of the actual answer to your question but I had this issue when changing strap buttons. I just filled the hole with wood and then screwed in the smaller screw and its rock solid now.

[Doctor J]

Dunlop supply huge screws with theirs, the biggest I've seen used for strap buttons.

[Geek99]

Just reuse the standard screws ?

[Deep Thought]

I had a similar issue with Schallers-I just drilled out the strap buttons a bit to take the thicker screws. Nothing I did ever stopped them unscrewing though, and I gave up and went for Grolsch washers, which have never let me down.

[gs_triumph]

I only really wasn't the strap locks as i need to detach the strap to fit the bass in its case. I'm thinking the eyes on the strap will get trashed fairly quickly when being attached and unattached every time I play.

Bottle washers won't solve the problem unfortunately 😒

Edited January 7, 2016 by gs_triumph

[gs_triumph]

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1452118884' post='2946776']
Just reuse the standard screws ?
[/quote]

They don't fit through the lock buttons

[gs_triumph]

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1452105700' post='2946508']
I'm not sure of the actual answer to your question but I had this issue when changing strap buttons. I just filled the hole with wood and then screwed in the smaller screw and its rock solid now.
[/quote]

Not keen on bastardising my new bass just yet... Might come to that tho

Cheers
G.

[RhysP]

Never heard of "No Bull" straplocks, so I can't comment on those, but I've always used the Schaller ones & fitted them using the original strap button screws with no problems.

[Cameronj279]

[quote name='gs_triumph' timestamp='1452165651' post='2947123']
Not keen on bastardising my new bass just yet... Might come to that tho

Cheers
G.
[/quote]

It's not noticeable in any way from the outside. It basically just fills the hole so that the screw has something to hold onto.

[PaulWarning]

I just use bloody great washers on my existing buttons and never take the strap off, but I've only got 2 basses and 2 straps

[Painy]

[quote name='gs_triumph' timestamp='1452165651' post='2947123']


Not keen on bastardising my new bass just yet... Might come to that tho

Cheers
G.
[/quote]

No bastardisation required. Just put a matchstick or toothpick in the screw hole and break it off then screw in the smaller screw. Job done!

[4stringslow]

I've found that the size of the screw is less important than its length. There's a lot of leverage on strap points, so the longer the better really. I've had no problems using 50mm screws with Schaller locks. I also use Spax screws, which seem to grip really well.

[kodiakblair]

Spax screws are the mutt's nuts. On the rare occasion we get supplied them on site. I'm the one dancing a jig

[ezbass]

This[quote name='Painy' timestamp='1452169340' post='2947171']
No bastardisation required. Just put a matchstick or toothpick in the screw hole and break it off then screw in the smaller screw. Job done!
[/quote]

I just looked at the [font="helvetica, arial, sans-serif"][color="#282828"]'No Bull' locks on Google (they look like Schaller clones) and the screws do look very thin, so the toothpick/matchstick fix is the way forward IMO.[/color][/font]

[gs_triumph]

Match sticks deployed!

Is it normal for strap locks to rattle? Quite annoying. Guess I'll get used to it.

Cheers guys

[RhysP]

[quote name='gs_triumph' timestamp='1452200995' post='2947630']
Is it normal for strap locks to rattle?
[/quote]

Do you mean the bit that clips onto the strap button?
Yes, it is normal for them to rattle.

[ezbass]

[quote name='gs_triumph' timestamp='1452200995' post='2947630']
Match sticks deployed!

Is it normal for strap locks to rattle? Quite annoying. Guess I'll get used to it.

Cheers guys
[/quote]Yes, Schaller types do rattle significantly.

[gs_triumph]

To be fair, I didn't notice the rattle within minutes of getting in to my groove.

Are there 'better' strap locks?

[HazBeen]

Yes, Dunlops, Schallers, Warwicks.... Personally I often use Dunlop flush mounts, least leverage on the screw but you can screw up your bass. Luckily I am quite handy and can install them myself.

[EssentialTension]

Cocktail sticks (harder wood) are better than matchsticks (softer wood).

I think Schaller straplocks now come with two sizes of screw; i.e. a pair of larger ones too.

[lowregisterhead]

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1452242532' post='2947876']
Cocktail sticks (harder wood) are better than matchsticks (softer wood).

I think Schaller straplocks now come with two sizes of screw; i.e. a pair of larger ones too.
[/quote]

Indeed they do. A pair of 'standard' length, and an extra long pair. Referring to an earlier post, they shouldn't rattle when you've got the bass on, if they're fitted properly. I can't comment on other makes.

[gs_triumph]

They rattle a little when sat down. Not at all with the weight of the bass on them.

I couldn't get cocktail sticks in any of the local ' convenience' stores... Not very convenient!

[Painy]

[quote name='gs_triumph' timestamp='1452270206' post='2948369']
They rattle a little when sat down. Not at all with the weight of the bass on them.

I couldn't get cocktail sticks in any of the local ' convenience' stores... Not very convenient!
[/quote]

I'm now picturing all the poor unfortunate dinner jacketted toffs in your area sipping martinis with the olive speared on a Swan Vesta!

[mcnach]

[quote name='gs_triumph' timestamp='1452102399' post='2946448']
Guys n gals,

I have an ibanez atk 800 recently purchased through the forums here.

I wanted to put strap locks on it so ordered 'no bull' locks of the bay.

However on unscrewing the existing strap button I can see the screws are much thicker than those supplied with the no bull locks. The screws from the bass don't fit through the lock buttons.

Does anyone manufacture locks with bigger screws?

Cheers
[/quote]

I used to use Schaller and it was the same story. Usually I could use the original screws, 'though but sometimes I could not, and it was toothpick+glue time. Fill the hole with a toothpick and wood glue, and fit the new screw in.

To be honest, I've long since moved away from straplocks and now I favour rubber rings, like those on Grolsch beer bottles. They do the job very well, in fact I prefer them now.