Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello,
My new BB came with strap locks on it instead of standard strap buttons. Is this how Rics are shipped these days, or did the dealer pull something on me?

Thanks

They come from Ric with the Schaller strap buttons installed.

I use the Dunlop straplocks. I just like them better.

my warwick came with dunlop straplocks and i'm thinking of putting a set on my ric. what mods are involved?, thanks

I did it once - the hard way. I adapted the Dunlops to use screws that matched the thread of the stock strap button. What can I say, I like reversible mods.

First I found 2 phillips screws that matched the length and thread of the original buttons. Then I drilled out the holes in the Dunlop buttons large enough to accept a screws. Since the Dunlop hardware is hardened, it was a bit of a pain in the butt. Once the hole was enlarged, I ground down the heads of the screws so they would fit down inside the Dunlop button. I did this by putting the screw into the chuck of a drill and turning the screw heads against a file that was locked in my vise. Like is said - the hard way. Here is a picture of the finished product. It works nicely an the bass was not damaged in any way.

Ted, I too did that to my bass, only I did not drill out the buttons, but only ground down the screw heads on a grinder wheel.

he likes it the hard way

I'd like to add you need a pan head screw that is really shallow - too domed and the ball part on the strap won't go in far enough to engage. Of course you could always grind it....

Guitarist in my band has some sort of clasp that attaches to the strap, no mod necessary to the strap botton. Just clicks in. Not sure what it is, but I would like to get some...

That is what the Schallers are. They have a piece that attaches to the strap, and goes right on to the stock strap button, straight out of the box. Perfect, in my book! Easy is good!

OK, cool...have to look for them.

And dual concentric pots.

And toasters for my 650.

And a new amp.

And another roofer to give an estimate for the leaking skylight on my porch.

Where does it all end?

I guess the strap locks might be the easiest to afford. The roof is probably the most pressing...

I always used schaller... but I just got dunlop for my longhorn. Seems like a larger design... but more solid. The nut and washer kept coming loose in my schallers (I should use lock tight).

I used Dunlops for years before switching to Schallers and I find the Shaller design better....as long as you use Loctite. I certainly wouldn't go through the trouble of switching a current Ric from Schaller Dunlop straplocks.

John: The button has to be drilled out to accept a screw large enough to match the factory hole in the body. The Dunlop comes stock with a wood screw.

Ted - I did not have that problem - the screws I found at work in an old bin of loose parts went through the buttons and were the same threading.... Don't know what to say...