Schaller Security Locks - Safety First!

[Eric]

I see that Guitar Fetish has strap locks that look somewhat similar to the Marvel locks for $9.95. I may have to order a few sets at that price. Has anyone here ever used the GF locks?

Yep, I have a set and though I've never used Marvels, the design seems to be identical. The GF ones are good, and I think they go on leather straps more easily, because it seems like the connecting shaft is thinner.

However, they are a bit heftier than Schallers and they don't cradle the guitar like Schallers do. I have no qualms about using the guitar fetish ones, but kind of prefer the Schallers, to be honest.

 

[FrankenFretter]

Yep, I have a set and though I've never used Marvels, the design seems to be identical. The GF ones are good, and I think they go on leather straps more easily, because it seems like the connecting shaft is thinner.

However, they are a bit heftier than Schallers and they don't cradle the guitar like Schallers do. I have no qualms about using the guitar fetish ones, but kind of prefer the Schallers, to be honest.

I like the Schallers I have better than the Epi locks. The other guitars I have aren't nearly as heavy (with the exception of one, maybe) as the LPs, so I'm not as worried about them as far as being cradled.

Good to know they're not junk. Thanks, Eric!

 

[mainestratman]

And ironically... after posting here, I went out back to jam.. picked up the LP and the strap fell off.. LOL

I hadn't re-secured it after cleaning it after the last jam.

 

[Tibernius]

And ironically... after posting here, I went out back to jam.. picked up the LP and the strap fell off.. LOL

Ouch... any damage?

I stick to the Dunlop Dual Design ones on my guitars, personal preference really. Didn't like the way that the Schaller ones seem to mainly use gravity to keep the guitar in place, since I move about a bit when playing sometimes...I'm probably wrong on that but that's what it looked like at the time...

Only had two times when the strap came off and that was because I hadn't attached it properly. Only bought the straploks in the first place though 'cause I kept almost dropping my LP. :thwap

 

[mainestratman]

No damage... Fortunately I learned a LONG time ago to pick them up by the neck..

 

[kidsmoke]

Another good & cheap thing is the rubber ring of those beer swing top bottles / clip-top bottles (howevver it's called)

This is the method I employ. They work well accept on the endpin/jack on my acoustic, it's too large in diameter.

The other thing is they're cheap! They cost about $7-9 for a set of 6, and you get a free 1/2 gallon+ of beer with your purchase!!

 

[FrankenFretter]

Marvel locks on the cheap

I just bought three sets of strap locks from GFS. They are indeed Marvel locks, and the black ones even have the Marvel branding on them. For ten bucks a set, that's pretty hard to beat. They're easy to install, and easy to use.

Here's a link!

 

[bcdon]

I just bought three sets of strap locks from GFS. They are indeed Marvel locks, and the black ones even have the Marvel branding on them. For ten bucks a set, that's pretty hard to beat. They're easy to install, and easy to use.

Here's a link!

That's a good price. I buy Schallers locks up here in Canuckistan for ~19. Maybe I'll buy a set for my new Hell guitar when Syo goes to production. :rockya

 

[deeaa]

Vorsichtig Jimi, halten sie ein auge auf diese bitte! While Schaller are very handy indeed, they too wear out! So keep an eye on old ones if they need replacement!

I had one on my LP and after 10 or so years the guitar just suddenly dropped while it was locked properly. Turned out that those guitar side counterparts had worn straight through the shaft portion (the sides aren't that thick) until the 'knob' nearly came off and the guitar strap part just slid over it. I could only happen while the strap was in correct position so the worn out portion would align so that it fit thru the sides. Hard to describe. Anyway I caught the guitar before it hit the ground, luckily.

What I do these days, I just use something that holds on to the guitar quite permanently. Straps can stay on when it's in a case, bag, stand...why would you have to remove the strap, ever? I can't really recall ever needing to take off the strap from the guitar...so I just always buy/get/acquire a strap too for each new axe. Last three are actually shoulder straps off guitar bags and a laptop case; all end in those dog-leash clips which are just the right size to be screwed down with a normal guitar strap button. I just unscrew the strap button, drop in a little wood glue to be safe, and screw the strap's dog clip down with it. It can't be removed at all without unscrewing the whole strap button, but who cares...

I still have Schallers on two guitars though, and for the last gig I assured the hold by wrapping a good amount of jesus tape around them & the guitar body.