Do I need a strap locking system on my Les Paul? - and if so - which one?

[Jules]

Do I ned a strap locking system on my Les Paul? - and if so - which one?

Thanks in advance..

[Beefy]

For me they just seem to be more hassle than there worth but maybe I have never owned a good one. I have had guitars slip out of straps with out them every once in a while but I normally catch them. I play Am Strats though so it might be different. I threw my little brothers across a room once when I was a kid and it came out unscathed. The way les pauls head stock shape is slanted back and some people say they are a little more prone to breaking So you might want to take that into consideration too.

On a Side note les paul is the guy that invented multi track recording (the first 2 track recorder) which is what this forums all about

[Animus]

Originally Posted by Jules

Do I ned a strap locking system on my Les Paul? - and if so - which one?

Thanks in advance..

ANy of the new Dunlop, Schaller, or Ernie Ball systems will work great. I have mostly the Dunlop and Ernies on my guitars. I would definitely have some strap locking system, especially on a heavy LP.

[theOnlyMoment]

this one's worked great for mine
Schaller Guitar Strap Locks and Buttons (Pair): Shop Accessories & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

[ears2thesky]

The Schaller system has given me the best results over the years (and I've tried 'em all). I don't care for the Dunlop-style units since I have seen them fail when the insert wears down.
On the other hand, the Schaller has a half cup that cannot let go (unless the nut at the strap becomes completely loose and it falls off of the strap or the button screw falls out; both of which are very unlikely). It also allows for a larger replacement wood screw when you inevitably replace the stock one.

[crosscutred]

The schaller are great, you just have to watch out for the strap swinging round when you take it off and the locks taking chunks out of the paintwork.

Also when the screws come loose in the body fill the holes rather than use larger screws, matchsticks and superglue are fine.

[Jules]

Thanks guys - all good tips!

Looks like its Schaller!

[Jules]

Originally Posted by ears2thesky

The Schaller system has given me the best results over the years (and I've tried 'em all). I don't care for the Dunlop-style units since I have seen them fail when the insert wears down.
On the other hand, the Schaller has a half cup that cannot let go (unless the nut at the strap becomes completely loose and it falls off of the strap or the button screw falls out; both of which are very unlikely). It also allows for a larger replacement wood screw when you inevitably replace the stock one.

Its a virgin gtr - do I use the SAME screws its now using or the ones that come with the locking system?

Thanks again

[ears2thesky]

Which ever is beefier (probably the Schallers').

[Jules]

[Animus]

Just checked again, the Dunlops I thought I had are actually Schallers too.

[Bluzzi]

I'm using the Schallers on my Les Paul and they are fine so far! They came with extra long screws which I used. Wouldn't want that Paul flying out of my hands just because I was too lazy to do that.

Make sure the strap side is well anchored too. In my opinion that is the weak spot.

Originally Posted by Beefy

On a Side note les paul is the guy that invented multi track recording (the first 2 track recorder) which is what this forums all about

The 2 track already existed! Even the 8 track existed. The thing that Les Paul did that no one before him did (as far as history knows) was use it to "overdub" and "bounce" and therefore build up more tracks than 8.

Cheers

Jim

[Jules]

Ordered! Thanks.

[Bob Ross]

Too late for my advice since you've already ordered the Schallers, but fwiw

I've used both Schallers & Dunlops, and if I had to chose between the two I'd pick Dunlops...but what I've been really enjoying lately is neither.

Instead, I stick the red rubber washer from a Grolsch beer bottle top over the strap & strap button...and then I never remove the strap from the instrument.

Looks cleaner, stays flush to the instrument body better, doesn't rattle, less (no?) chance of scratching your instrument with loose strap ends bearing metal objects, cheaper, and best of all, you get to drink two Grolsch's for every instrument you want to outfit this way!

[Jules]

Ha! Will bear it in mind.

[drbob1]

Actually, Tom Whitrock, the vintage Les Paul guy always uses Grolsh washers, so they ARE the official strap lock of Les Pauls.

[LimpyLoo]

[TenaciousJ]

Originally Posted by LimpyLoo

It's funny because it's true. I have one strap lock and on the other end of the strap I used duct tape to tighten up the hole (that sounds bad) so it stays on. I did this years and years ago when one of the strap locks wouldn't work with the bigger screw on the ass-end of my Les Paul.

Time to replace that strap I guess. But I got it with my guitar 25 years ago or so. It's seen me through almost every single gig I've ever played. I do realize it's a bit crazy though to have gotten attached to a GUITAR STRAP.

[Jules]

Had a session engineering when Keith Levine. (ex of the UK band Public Image) was overdubbing using my Les Paul, there wasn't a strap and he wanted to stand up and play so he MADE ONE out of Gaffa tape - I was sure the varnish and sunburst was going to peel off afterwards and was v nervous....But it didn't.

[litepipe]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Instead, I stick the red rubber washer from a Grolsch beer bottle top over the strap & strap button...and then I never remove the strap from the instrument.

Great tip!! I don't use strap locks anymore. I got tired of them stripping the screws for the strap buttons. Now I just use a strap and pay attention to my guitar. I used Schallers for years and liked them quality wise... But I don really like how the guitar sits against your body with them on. I like to feel more connected with my guitars. That washer trick sounds great!!

[davet]

Yes you do. But make sure you keep the locking mechanism on the strap tight. They will loosen over time.

FYI, I watched Peter Frampton almost drop his black beauty because of a loose strap lock. He caught it just in time.
DaveT

[edwonbass]

I use neoprene washers for all of my guitars. They look like fender washers but are neoprene. Very cheap at homedepot.

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by TenaciousJ

It's funny because it's true. I have one strap lock and on the other end of the strap I used duct tape to tighten up the hole (that sounds bad) so it stays on. I did this years and years ago when one of the strap locks wouldn't work with the bigger screw on the ass-end of my Les Paul.

Time to replace that strap I guess. But I got it with my guitar 25 years ago or so. It's seen me through almost every single gig I've ever played. I do realize it's a bit crazy though to have gotten attached to a GUITAR STRAP.

Yeah.

I have a 70's Levi's strap that my dad gave me when I was 15 or so. Misplaced a guitar one time--think it was a new-ish Danelectro--and it had that strap on it. I freaked out, but *not* about the guitar.

[Go Nigel Go]

I also like the Shallers, all my axes are set up for them since I tend to get animated in live shows. Never dropped one, but had a few head for the floor, strap locks are cheap insurance for an expensive tool. I usually use them in the studio now just because they are there, but you can still use a non locking strap on the locking studs if you wish. After I got my first set of Shallers I found out one of my Les Pauls already had Shaller buttons installed when I got it and I had been playing it for years without even knowing it.

[trippy]

I like the Dunlops, but get the one with what they call "dual-design" strap buttons...that way if you lose or forget the strap that has the attachments on it, you can still use a regular strap.

[Musiclab]

I believe the dunlops, plug straight in, whereas the Schallers have an opening at the top of the strap. I use Schallers only, I had a set of the plug in guys years ago I'm pretty sure they were Dunlops, once on a gig one of them let go and my 1969 Les Paul Custom fell to the ground and the neck broke in 3 places,
so I'll NEVER use the plug in type again

[Bluzzi]

Originally Posted by Musiclab

I believe the dunlops, plug straight in, whereas the Schallers have an opening at the top of the strap. I use Schallers only, I had a set of the plug in guys years ago I'm pretty sure they were Dunlops, once on a gig one of them let go and my 1969 Les Paul Custom fell to the ground and the neck broke in 3 places,
so I'll NEVER use the plug in type again

Are those the ones that have what looks like a spring loaded ball bearing in the shaft? I've owned those before and they eventually wear down it would seem. I was too scared to keep using them.

Cheers

Jim

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by Bluzzi

Are those the ones that have what looks like a spring loaded ball bearing in the shaft? I've owned those before and they eventually wear down it would seem. I was too scared to keep using them.

Cheers

Jim

I think so, I didn't have them for that long when this happened, but my Les Paul
is heavy, but still, never again. The only way your guitar can fall out with the Schallers is if you completely never pay attention to then and they wind up upside down.

[edwonbass]

I've had the Dunlops on my G&L L2000 since 1984 and they still work fine. This bass does not sit in a closet.

[AndyFromDenver]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Too late for my advice since you've already ordered the Schallers, but fwiw

I've used both Schallers & Dunlops, and if I had to chose between the two I'd pick Dunlops...but what I've been really enjoying lately is neither.

Instead, I stick the red rubber washer from a Grolsch beer bottle top over the strap & strap button...and then I never remove the strap from the instrument.

Looks cleaner, stays flush to the instrument body better, doesn't rattle, less (no?) chance of scratching your instrument with loose strap ends bearing metal objects, cheaper, and best of all, you get to drink two Grolsch's for every instrument you want to outfit this way!

Not too late. That's a fun/ good tip