Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

It happened to me twice now that my bass almost fell on the floor because of the strap slipping off. I'm almost decided I want to use Schaller strap locks now. However, my main concern is they might not fit exactly in the holes that are already there, either irreversibly widening them or not sitting there tightly.

My question is: Has anybody done this before and can give me a heads up on this?

Can I use Schaller strap locks without destroying my bass?

(I am aware of the planet waves system that can be used with the original pins, but I really don't like its look)

Yes you can. I use them on my 1975 4001. However you will need to replace the vintage strap pins with the newer type which is designed to fit the Schaller strap locks. It has exactly the same thread as the vintage pins so you won't damage your bass at all. I believe this is the part: http://www.rickenbacker.com/cart.asp?vi ... cellaneous . I think I bought mine from here as I am in the UK: http://www.rickysounds.co.uk/Straps.html . I can't believe I got through my reckless youthful years without strap locks and no disasters. I guess I was lucky I take no chances these days.

Thanks Antony. So you say I can't use the standard Schaller pins but I have to buy special ones for Rickenbackers, with the correct thread?

Wow, I checked several stores in UK or US, shipping for these parts is more expensive than the parts themselves.

Where can I buy these in Germany?

It might even be cheaper to make them, provided you have access to a lathe..

cran wrote:Thanks Antony. So you say I can't use the standard Schaller pins but I have to buy special ones for Rickenbackers, with the correct thread?

You could use the Schaller screws (there is just a screw which goes through the buttons which come with the Schaller locks) but they are thinner and with a different thread so you'd need to fill the holes before making new holes for them. I wouldn't want to do that on a vintage instrument unless there was no alternative, which there is fortunately. I don't have a newer (4003) Ric but I believe they come with the new strap lock style pin which fits the Schaller locks. So it's a good thing that you can buy these for an old 4001. The Ric pins (vintage and new strap lock kind) are longer and thicker than the Schaller screws so should be more stable. The new Ric pins I fitted matched the vintage pins exactly and screwed in nice and tight.

I use stainless fender washers. They are less than a buck at your local hardware store.

Sebastion, I'll PM you with an alternative.

I have a set of Gary's DIY Schaller strapbolts. A two thumbs up rating from me!

I have 2 sets of my own DIY Schaller strap bolts, probably very similar to Gary's. I just turned down the head of a couple of 10-32 (I think it was 10-32, I should check this) flat head screws so they'll fit inside the Schaller end. The original hole for the screw in the Shaller end turns out to be the perfect size for a 10-32 tap, so I tapped the original hole, screw the new 10-32 screw into the Shaller end, then screw the assembly into the Rick.

A lathe is best for turning down the screws, but a file and a drill press (or even a hand drill) will work It wont be as nice or as easy, but it'll work...

cjj wrote:... (I think it was 10-32, I should check this) ...

It's 10-24 ... IIRC the factory does a metric cross-thread to make it more like a self-locking thread.

cjj wrote: ... The original hole for the screw in the Shaller end turns out to be the perfect size for a 10-32 tap, so I tapped the original hole, screw the new 10-32 screw into the Shaller end, then screw the assembly into the Rick. ...

I drill out the hole instead of tapping it.

cjj wrote:... but a file and a ... a hand drill ... will work ...

That's how I do it.

I just have a huge sheet metal bolt with a big hex head. Straps never come off that sucker.

Yep, 10-24. Thanks for correcting me on that, my memory ain't what it used to be...

Anyway, the hole is right for a 10-24 tap. Drilling is a totally fine way to go, it's just the machinist in me that has to do the extra step of tapping it...

Same process if you want to go to the Dunlop straploks.

johnallg wrote:Same process if you want to go to the Dunlop straploks.

I have an older pair of Dunlops and the steel was too tough to drill out, so I left them alone.

The 6 sets I've bought over the last 5 years all drill with a little diligence. I believe they are hardened a bit.