strap lock question

[alyctes]

I have a bass with a strap pin on the back of the body.  I'd like to replace it with a straplock, but not something which digs into my beergut.  What's the lowest-profile straplock I can get?  Thanks

[BigRedX]

In that situation you are probably best off keeping the existing button if it's suitably low profile and using the Grolsch washer method.

[ezbass]

The lowest profile would be the DiMarzio system that screws the strap direct to the body https://www.dimarzio.com/straps/accessories/extra-long-fasteners-cliplock-guitar-straps . However, the Grolsch bottle washer or similar are my go to solution, having used both Schaller and Dunlop systems in the past.

[three]

51 minutes ago, ezbass said:

The lowest profile would be the DiMarzio system that screws the strap direct to the body https://www.dimarzio.com/straps/accessories/extra-long-fasteners-cliplock-guitar-straps . However, the Grolsch bottle washer or similar are my go to solution, having used both Schaller and Dunlop systems in the past.

I'd certainly agree with this - I too have used both Schaller and Dunlop, though have moved more recently to just using the Dunlop Dual Design strap pins with Fender's version of the Grolsch bottle washers.  It seems to provide a stable and secure fix for the strap and remains reasonably low-profile

[Greg Edwards69]

1 hour ago, ezbass said:

The lowest profile would be the DiMarzio system that screws the strap direct to the body https://www.dimarzio.com/straps/accessories/extra-long-fasteners-cliplock-guitar-straps . However, the Grolsch bottle washer or similar are my go to solution, having used both Schaller and Dunlop systems in the past.

I have the Dimarzio system on my electric guitar and it certainly is low profile. However, I would be concerned about the plastic clips damaging the OP's instrument finished in that location.

 

Rubber washers here too. I had a moment of enlightenment after many years of using Schaller and Dunlop systems and getting frustrated with the strap button screws working loose...

 

"If I have a strap for each bass, why am I removing and reattaching them every time I take it out of its gig bag?"

 

I replaced the buttons on my basses with their original buttons and screws and permanently attached the straps with rubber washers. Rock solid

[tauzero]

You can get locking straps - Planet Waves makes a range, eg https://www.gak.co.uk/en/planet-waves-planet-lock-guitar-strap/100769.

[franzbassist]

The Dunlop Straplocks come in a counter-sunk version, so they are probably the lowest profile of the lot?

 

[chris_b]

4 hours ago, alyctes said:

I have a bass with a strap pin on the back of the body.  . . . .

 

Do you mean the strap button? Why is it "in the back of the body?"

 

Can you move the button to the side of the body?

[alyctes]

24 minutes ago, chris_b said:

 

Do you mean the strap button? Why is it "in the back of the body?"

 

Can you move the button to the side of the body?

 

Yes I do.  It appears to be in its designed position.  The bass is a rather battered Vox White Shadow; the top horn is pointed and I'd be quite uneasy about putting the button there.

The bass does have some neck dive.   I'm thinking of sidestepping the whole problem by adding a strap rail instead, a bent-up aluminium strip attaching at the two button locations and extending the upper position up the neck (with some padding to stop it scarring the back of the body).  It wouldn't be terribly pretty, but it's not a terribly pretty bass.

Edited June 6 by alyctes

[chris_b]

I can see your problem. When looking at the bass from the front, you could move the strap button to the underside of the top horn. Maybe 1 or 2" beyond the tip of the horn. That might help with the neck dive.

 

Just found this photo.. . . .

 

[alyctes]

38 minutes ago, chris_b said:

I can see your problem. When looking at the bass from the front, you could move the strap button to the underside of the top horn. Maybe 1 or 2" beyond the tip of the horn. That might help with the neck dive.

 

Just found this photo.. . . .

 

 

Good idea.  I think that's probably the first thing to try.  Thank you.

[Jack]

4 hours ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

I have the Dimarzio system on my electric guitar and it certainly is low profile. However, I would be concerned about the plastic clips damaging the OP's instrument finished in that location.

 

Rubber washers here too. I had a moment of enlightenment after many years of using Schaller and Dunlop systems and getting frustrated with the strap button screws working loose...

 

"If I have a strap for each bass, why am I removing and reattaching them every time I take it out of its gig bag?"

 

I replaced the buttons on my basses with their original buttons and screws and permanently attached the straps with rubber washers. Rock solid

I've always wondered about people who do that. Do the straps not get all 'in the way' in the cases? Do you use leather or nylon?

[Greg Edwards69]

2 hours ago, Jack said:

I've always wondered about people who do that. Do the straps not get all 'in the way' in the cases? Do you use leather or nylon?

I only use gigbags and the straps don't get in the way. I pull them taught and upwards behind the bass when loading them into their gigbags. Nylon and neoprene straps all the way. Not keen on leather ones.