I consider the Schaller Straplocks as the best guitar strap locks. Why?
- The design feature is more sturdy than the competition.
- Even if the lock fails, it will still hold the guitar in position.
This guitar strap lock is so well designed by Schaller of Germany. It is the most functional compared to other strap locks brands. Dunlop uses a pin to lock in place, which could result in failure if the pin malfunctions. The idea of the dual design system of the Dunlop in my honest opinion is not good. It is an invitation for a disaster to happen.
The Dunlop Dual Design Strap Lock System would allow it to be used on straps without the lock button installed (when you are at a gig and forgot your strap with the strap lock button installed) thereby defeating the purpose of having a strap lock in the first place. This moment could be the time that you will drop your guitar.
Planetwaves is constructed in Polypropylene which I would not trust on an expensive guitar. The Schaller strap lock uses a horseshoe fitting where the strap button sits in place. This horseshoe fitting is enough to hold the guitar strap in place through gravity.
Once the guitar strap button is in the horseshoe fitting, there is a lock which will securely lock the strap in place. However, if this lock should fail, the guitar strap is still held in the horseshoe fitting, and you can only dislodge it if you raise your guitar overhead in a quick motion.
It is constructed of metal and available in chrome or nickel finish. It also has a thinner profile than the other available strap locks in the market. The Schaller Strap Locks are really easy to install and very easy to use.
It is composed of two parts. The strap lock button, which you will install on the guitar, replacing the old regular strap button. Then there is a horseshoe fitting that you will install on the guitar strap.
To install, just replace the regular strap button with the Schaller Strap Lock Button using the provided screws. Then on the guitar strap, install the horseshoe fitting using the nut and washer.
The horseshoe fitting should have the open side towards the top position, when the guitar strap is installed, thereby securing the guitar strap by gravity in case the lock fails.
It means the horseshoe fitting open end should not face towards the guitar strap end side but should face towards the entire length of the guitar strap. Tighten the nut as tight as you can.
To use, just slide the horseshoe fitting to the strap lock button ( the one installed on the guitar) and once in place a lock pin on the horseshoe fitting will lock the horseshoe fitting to the strap lock button.
To remove you just pull the lock release button and slide the horseshoe fitting away from the strap lock button. The package consists of two sets of strap locks which are enough for one guitar.
Please feel free to post comments and ask questions.
Cheers,
Den
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This is very interesting. I’ve been playing guitar for many years but had never even considered looking into other strap locks for my guitars. That being said, I have had issues in the past where the strap might slip off during a performance.
Is this particular strap lock something that can be fitted to any guitar, whether it already has its own lock or not?
Hi Joshua,
These straplocks are very easy to install. Just unscrew the old strap button and replace it with the straplock button. Then on the strap itself, install the straplock.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
I can’t help but wonder, with all the assembly required when installing your strap locks, would it be better to take it to a professional guitar tech or is it a fairly accomplishable task for anybody to do? I’m afraid that, through inexperience, I might just end up damaging my guitar at the same time.
Hi Ryan,
It is very easy to install. Even without reading the documentation, it is very easy to figure out. You do not have to spend money by have a guitar tech to install it.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Very detailed and informative article.
I’m a guitarist and have upgraded my saddle and nut on my custom telecaster with graph tech string savers which has made a positive difference in tuning stability and overall clarity and is a joy playing and recording with.
It will surely hurt me if I drop this guitar as it is priceless to me. I find Schaller Strap locks better than the others available in the market. I am using it on my guitar and the double security feature makes it more desirable than the other brands.
Cheers
Hi,
I agree with you. The double security feature of the Schaller Strap Locks are much better design than the other strap locks available in the market. It is always a good feeling to know that if the lock fails, the strap lock will still hold your guitar. That’s a good upgrade you have there for your telecaster.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Hey,
These strap locks sound great. I like their “safety features.”
I’ve read that some manufacturers use strap button screws which are slightly too large for the Schaller’s.
I have an inexpensive Les Paul which I use to learn on. Do you know if these would fit on my guitar brand?
If need be, I can probably improvise with a few slips of paper to ensure a proper fit.
I don’t fault Schaller; I do fault the lack of standardization guitar manufacturers use when it comes to selecting screw sizes for button straps. Just use a universal size!
Hi Chris,
Schaller is the best guitar strap lock available in the market. It will fit on any guitar. You can try to use the original screws on your guitar. That might solve the problem. If not then I will not recommend pieces of paper. A wooden toothpick will do the trick.
Thanks for the comments,
Den
Thanks for the review. I recently got into playing guitar, and am still learning a lot about playing and learning a lot about the equipment. This is helpful information, because its something I kind of overlooked the importance of and I’m sure lots of guitar players do.
I took a look around your website and there is lots of useful info!
Thanks again!
Hi Derek,
I am glad you find my post useful. So many guitar players overlooked the importance of guitar strap locks. Once they dropped a guitar then that’s the time they will look for solutions. It is okay if it is just a cheap guitar but what if it happens to be a $2k guitar or maybe a vintage?
Thanks for the comments,
Den