Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I had a similar incident as Joey. I was 15 and playing in a band with older guys. We had a big out of town gig up in Madison, WI. My bass popped off it's rear strap peg and slid down my leg. The only way I could finish the song was to sit on the floor. WOW, was I embarrassed! Schaller strap locks went on within a few days of that, and in the 29 years since then it has never happened again. All of my Ricks have them now.

They are a relatively heavy and jagged little chunk of steel at the end of my strap though, so I'm just careful to hold on to the strap end when putting on/removing my strap.

The first thing I do to a new instrument is put Schaller strap lock buttons on it.

Gee, I must be the only guy on the other side of this. I hate strap locks. I've never had any problems with standard strap buttons. The only strap problem that I've ever had was caused by the Schaller strap lock itself. It kept wrenching the screw loose on a Strat. Stopped using the strap lock, problem solved. I've actually only seen two guitars fall in strap related incidents and both guitarists, oddly enough, were using strap locks at the time. One, a worn strap ripped and the other, the screw wrenched out.

Whether you choose to use strap locks or not, all I can say is be careful. Also, watch out for mic stands and cymbals.

When using vintage strap buttons I use a stainless fender washer to hold on the strap. On my acoustics I use the gripper strap buttons. No reason they won't work on an electric. For a Rick just get a different screw. Plus as coolhandjjl put it you "don't have to fear that metal end clanking around on my loose strap when I'm changing." http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_p ... es#details

On other electrics I have used Schaller locks.

coolhandjjl wrote: Anyone else share my sentiments? Or am I just nuts

Yes, I share your sentiments and, no, you're not nuts. I can't stand strap locks. I've pulled them off the 4 RIC basses that I've owned and need to do the same for a Strat I recently acquired.

ken_j wrote:When using vintage strap buttons I use a stainless fender washer to hold on the strap.

Are you sure it is okay to use a Fender washer on a Rick?

ken_j wrote:On my acoustics I use the gripper strap buttons.

My Larrivée LV-19 has no strap buttons at all, not even at the bottom of the body, never had one, and I am just fine with that.

jps wrote:

ken_j wrote:On my acoustics I use the gripper strap buttons.

My Larrivée LV-19 has no strap buttons at all, not even at the bottom of the body, never had one, and I am just fine with that.

My Larrivée didn't have them either but I played a fund raising benefit a number of years ago where I had to stand. I didn't want to put them on but I had no choice, it was my only acoustic at the time.

Given the rarity (there's that word! ) of it I will not put them on the LV-19.

Put Dunlap Straploc(s) on my 3001 in 1977 when it was new and they are there still. 35 yrs later they work like new and with the same (quality) leather strap .

Dunlop Straploc on all my basses also.

Besides the straplocks being on, they should be checked periodically, both the button and the lock fastened to the strap.
Another thing to check, is the strap. Leather straps seem to be very durable and last many years, but plastic or porous material straps can break or crack. I've seen it happen. No matter what type of strap you use, check it periodically, especially at the holes where the straplocks are fastened, pressing into and stressing the hole. Holes in leather straps handle straplocks much better than the holes in plastic straps. Plastic straps can eventually break or crack with or without straplocks installed. Nothing a straplock can do to save your guitar if the strap breaks.

I don't know what kind of strap Matt Hill was using here, but it must have been REALLY old and crusty. I told him to use my Graham head strap! Good thing he had a firm hold of that 660/12!

Clint wrote:Gee, I must be the only guy on the other side of this. I hate strap locks. I've never had any problems with standard strap buttons.

So far, I'm with you. Never had any problems.
JimK

Every now and then, the nut on the strap part starts to loosen. I'll put a little lock-tite on it.

jimk wrote:

Clint wrote:Gee, I must be the only guy on the other side of this. I hate strap locks. I've never had any problems with standard strap buttons.

So far, I'm with you. Never had any problems.
JimK

Maybe we don't jump around enough.