Anyone else ditch their strap locks and go back to their regular strap buttons?

[acwild]

I used to religiously install strap locks as soon as I get a new guitar. For some reason, my last two guitars wouldn't take any brand of strap locks without modification. Since I don't like to mess with the wood in my guitars, I just went with the regular buttons. It turned out that they work pretty well and aren't there just to fill in a hole until you get strap locks.
After I got my JPXI, I installed strap locks after a few days. Then I noticed that I prefer the guitar without the locks. I just took them off and am much happier. I'm just worried that I'll start a post a month from now titled "I wrecked my guitar due to a lack of strap locks."
I'm just curious as to how many of you don't use strap locks.

 

[mikeller]

I started too a few years ago, for the same reason - hate to possibly alter the threads in the wood. However, I caught two guitars on their way to the ground within a week of each-other at gig's. So its always strap-locks for me

 

[tonelover]

If the original screws that came with the guitar have heads that are too large to slip down to the bottom of the strap lock button, stick the screw in an electric drill like a regular bit with the head sticking out and spin it against a file until it is small enough. In other words, file the diameter of the screw head down until it slips through.

The screws in all of my Axises fit just fine in the EBMM Super Locks but I've had to use this process on other guitars when using Dunlop Strap Locks.

 

[acwild]

Strap locks fit fine on my JPXI. I'm just choosing not to use them now. My only concern is what mikeller experienced. The strap buttons on my EBMM seem big enough that I feel secure without locks.

 

[beej]

Pretty much always add them to a new guitar. I've had too many drop over the years.

 

[acwild]

I've had some close ones with various strap locks. My Dunlops fell apart and I still have no idea how that happened. With the Schallers, I didn't regularly check the nut and it came off. I also noticed that with some strap locks, the friction they cause slowly unscrews the strap button. A lot of it is a matter of complacency but the Dunlops falling apart still is baffling.

 

[Roubster]

I definitely have strap locks on mine. I have the schaller ones. I prefer them to the EB ones (no offense), as it does not protrude so much when the strap is on. I did not have to drill further or anything. Just went right in and I like the look of the buttons themselves. There were certainly a few times where the strap came off somehow in the past, even though the strap buttons were pretty big and safe looking. I wont take a chance with the Y2D though.

 

[dkannen]

A friend bought me a Mono strap for my JP for christmas this year- it's a standard non-locking strap, but it's so stiff and sturdy that it took me about half an hour to force it on, and it's not coming off. I like that I won't fall off, and so far I've seen no need to take the strap off, so it's working for me!

 

[fbecir]

I don't use strap locks on my Music Man (they change the tone ) but I use the DiMarzio ClipLocks.
This unknown guitarist uses them and seems happy with them :

Other systems are a heresy and the true believers have to use this

 

[Zoom]

How strange to bump to this new thread today, when I was sitting with the pack of dunlop strap locks, one of my silo specials and my strat, deciding what to do. The strat screws are thinner so I decided not to put the thicker dunlop screws into the body, since I'm not using the guitar so often and I'm not sure I'm ready to any no-way-back actions.
The hat of the screw of the silo strap button is too wide to get into the Dunlop button. I'm not sure if I want to file it. I think I should leave both guitars as they are for now.

It's much easier with my Carvins, all of them have Dunlop buttons installed from the factory. May be it's not the best option, but it's already decided for me.

There's one more silhouette on the way to me with the Dimarzio ClipLocks installed so I will be able to try this system soon enough. Mr. Morse endorsing them is a good sign!

 

[threeminutesboy]

always use strap lock with my guitar, I have used schaller for years but have a EBMM one on my 25th love both and both work well

 

[spkirby]

EB straplocks on my EBMMs... work well, nice and secure! My other brand guitars either dont need them due to having huge buttons or they came from the factory with a different branded solution.

 

[fbecir]

There's one more silhouette on the way to me with the Dimarzio ClipLocks installed so I will be able to try this system soon enough. Mr. Morse endorsing them is a good sign!

I put the DiMarzio ClipLocks on my Morse and on my SUB and every time the DiMarzio screw was a perfect fit (length and diameter) for the factory holes of my guitars. Thus no woodworking was needed !

 

[Jimmyb]

A couple of mine have EB straplocks, for the ones that don't, it's good old Grolsch tops!

 

[Jackson2112]

Ernieball strap-locks on the old Ernieball Evh Straps, are the only way to go, all 10 have them.....God Bless Ernieball!!!

 

[acwild]

A friend bought me a Mono strap for my JP for christmas this year- it's a standard non-locking strap, but it's so stiff and sturdy that it took me about half an hour to force it on, and it's not coming off. I like that I won't fall off, and so far I've seen no need to take the strap off, so it's working for me!

Hey man, I think we're the only ones who are lockless.

I don't use strap locks on my Music Man (they change the tone ) but I use the DiMarzio ClipLocks.

Other systems are a heresy and the true believers have to use this

I think it's the official strap of shredders. Vai, Petrucci, etc... I'd try them if I could ever find a store that carries the cotton version as I don't like the seatbelt feel of nylon.

 

[acwild]

I definitely have strap locks on mine. I have the schaller ones. I prefer them to the EB ones (no offense), as it does not protrude so much when the strap is on. I did not have to drill further or anything. Just went right in and I like the look of the buttons themselves. There were certainly a few times where the strap came off somehow in the past, even though the strap buttons were pretty big and safe looking. I wont take a chance with the Y2D though.

I like that the EB strap locks protrude a bit as it keeps the strap from rubbing against the finish.

 

[Spudmurphy]

I always wear a seat belt in my car.
Why? Because if I didn't I wouldn't be here now.

I always use strap locks on my guitars.
Why? Because I dropped one once - and it won't happen again. I see too many "injured guitars" around my mates workshop to not want to use them. I file the heads down on the existing screws and they work fine. If people are ocd enough not to want to do that then buy some replacement screws fro cs and keep the originals.

 

[acwild]

I always wear a seat belt in my car.
Why? Because if I didn't I wouldn't be here now.

I always use strap locks on my guitars.
Why? Because I dropped one once - and it won't happen again. I see too many "injured guitars" around my mates workshop to not want to use them. I file the heads down on the existing screws and they work fine. If people are ocd enough not to want to do that then buy some replacement screws fro cs and keep the originals.

Isn't "relic'ing" the current fad now?

 

[Spudmurphy]

Isn't "relic'ing" the current fad now?

hee hee - yeah. Had a bas player once who never kept his bass in a case - literally threw it in the back of the van - man that had some wear!!