Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Does anyone else get a buildup of really fine, carbon-looking black crud on the inside of the female piece of the shaller straplocks? I was happy (and still am) when Rickenbacker went to Schaller straplock buttons as standard equipment; this is the only bugaboo I've found.

It looks like graphite or carbon/oil build-up on an old spark plug. I suppose it is fine metal grindings from long-term motion associated with the straplocks, but I don't know. I've tried cleaning them with a Q-tip, but that stuff is hard to remove.

Should I just replace the straplocks?

I've always used the silver-looking ones. Do the gold or black ones have less of a problem with this crud?

It takes a while to build up, but it is annoying once it's there.

I should mention... the main reason it is a problem is because it seems to impede the movement of the straplocks a little, plus that black crud can start to find its way on to the surface of the Rickenbacker.

My guitar player hasn't had any of this kind of black stuff build up, so either I have a defective set of straplocks, or it has something to do with the weight of the instrument, playing style, etc.

I'm still interested to hear if anyone else has this problem, especially since the Schaller straplock buttons are standard equipment on most Rickenbackers now.

Perhaps you should wash your hands between working on your car, and playing guitar!!!

Actually I don't know what this is. I remember when I bought my 4001 (used), it had a lot of crud on it from years of neglect. Maybe the surroundings are causing this buildup. Could there be any of this crud inside the case you keep it in when not playing?

If I had to guess without seeing it this, would be it: It is metal from the friction of the two pieces rubbing together. I would try cleaning both pieces and applying wax to the contact area. Keep it waxed and watch it.

We have some door hinges that have done this within just a few years. The black powder that they produced is now permanent in the carpet below. I used white grease on the hinge mating surfaces and have had no reoccurance.

Obviously you don't want to put grease on your strap locks. Maybe car wax or some other clear lubricant would work. Maybe worth a try.

I have used Schaller strap locks for years and have never hed this problem. Good luck.

Thanks, guys. I'm guessing it's the metal-on-metal friction, like with the door hinges Ken mentioned.

I might try a different set of straplocks, perhaps with gold finish to see if they perform differently over time. If that doesn't work, I might just bail out on the Schallers entirely. While a wax or other substance might help with the crud buildup, that's probably not something I want near my bass either.

Dean: Why not try a metal polish on both surfaces? Be sure you don't get it on the finish of the guitar though. This not only cleans but in some small way retards oxidation and adds a small amout of lubrications.

I am thinking of Mother's Metal Polish. I don't know that Paul will take a shine to this idea but on the surface it seems ok to me.

Yeah, mine get that buildup, and it really starts to squeak, too -- just like hinges.

Kevin - that is exactly what I've had going on - squeaking, motion impeded, and the black buildup.

Right now, I'm going without the straplocks. I think I'm going to throw the crudded-up ones away - there's really no point in keeping them, they cost less than half a pack of bass strings. I may just stay without the straplocks - I'm not as crazy on stage as I used to be. If I go back, it will be with new ones.

Thanks to everybody that read my posts and helped me out!

I just took 'em off, cleaned 'em up with WD-40 and put 'em back on. No more squeaky-squeaky.

gold ones have the same problem.
once you've ground through the finish they're all the same.

Thanks for the tip on the gold ones, Ali b. You saved me a purchase of gold straplocks! I will probably pick up a new set of the silver colored ones.