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Schaller Locks Spinning

KDunn99

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Joined
Sep 17, 2018
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27
I've been trying to use schaller locks because the stock gibson strap button is too small to hang on to a strap and grolsch washers wont stay on. The horseshoe of the lock tends to shift around and eventually point the wrong way no matter how tightened it is. How do you stop the lock from spinning?
 

jrgtr42

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Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,308
I use a pliers to tighten mine down, and I rarely have an issue. I also check it most times picking it up - years ago I got in the habit of checking the strap button itself when I pick up the guitar - they'd loosen up and fall out, so even on brand new guitars I check.
I've also seen people using locktite to keep the nut solid - I have to get some myself to try it.
But it also depends on your strap as to how slippery it is - maybe use an extra locknut on the guitar side to hold it in place?
 

wild.joz

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Mar 19, 2008
Messages
1,934
All my guitars and straps (thick leather, custom made) have Schaller’s on them, never had the « horseshoe » part come loose and spin like you describe.
I usually hold the horseshoe part with pliers, and secure the nut on the other side with the box-ended side of a combo wrench, and torque it as tight as I can humanly do…
 

65Firebird

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Oct 14, 2019
Messages
110
I use a small amount of locktite on the thread and then tighten the nut.
 
Last edited:

KDunn99

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Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
27
They're the new S-Locks with the set screw which doesn't come loose. There's supposed to be little spikes to hold the strap but they're almost nonexistent so there's not much for the strap to grip, even when tightened as much as I can. I may just JB Weld a spiked washer to the lock that'll dig in and grab the strap.
 

New Teaboy

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Sep 25, 2021
Messages
19
Im not sure if anyone else has experienced this - the horseshoe part of the Schaller lock is too small for the strap knob on my new R9. As Im not keen to begin re-drilling the hole in my guitar to replace the lock nut on the body, I contacted Schaller - and was told that they offer a range of sizes of Schaller S locks. Just ordered XL - If its way too big for the R9, it might work for the Suhr strap nut which is huge. Anyone else out there with this 'size problem':rolleyes:
 

somebodyelseuk

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Jun 10, 2020
Messages
454
Deep-reach socket.

NB. The strap will compress initially, so you'll probably need to repeat it a couple of times over the first few months.
 
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mdubya

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Mar 31, 2010
Messages
1,020
Fool proof (<-- a tall order in my case o_O ) Schaller "never fail" solution.

MnKsx2g.jpg


Better than Schaller.

ZPzDgIG.jpg


I will never use a strap lock (Schaller, Dunlop, etc) that does not hang the strap on the strap button.

Fool me once...
 

jrgtr42

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Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,308
Fool proof (<-- a tall order in my case o_O ) Schaller "never fail" solution.

MnKsx2g.jpg


Better than Schaller.

ZPzDgIG.jpg


I will never use a strap lock (Schaller, Dunlop, etc) that does not hang the strap on the strap button.

Fool me once...
I keep my Schallers aligned so the open end of the horseshoe is pointing up. |I've been using them for 25 yfears plus and I;ve never had one come off the guitar button. Once in a great while the nut on the strap side will come off, but I've never dropped a guitar.
 

mdubya

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Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
1,020
I keep my Schallers aligned so the open end of the horseshoe is pointing up. |I've been using them for 25 yfears plus and I;ve never had one come off the guitar button. Once in a great while the nut on the strap side will come off, but I've never dropped a guitar.

The nut is the weak point. Never again. :)

I didn't choose Schaller, I was talked into them by a tech. Then they fell apart while gigging. I thought, "F-this, I can do better myself. " Hence the fender washers. I just use rubber washers now.

JMHO.

YMMV.
 
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J T

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Oct 20, 2005
Messages
10,501
I only have Schallers on two of my guitars. Yes the nut can back off. A socket wrench will tighten it. I face the open end "horseshoe" oriented up in relation to how the guitar rests while standing.

I stay away from them. They are "clicky" and awkward. The guitars that I own that have non-schaller strap locks are all Dunlops. Those never failed me are quiet and easy to use. Everything else gets Grolsch rubber washers.

The thing don't like about all strap locks in general is drilling out the hole in the guitar body to accommodate the larger screw AND making a big hole in the strap to accommodate the large strap lock itself. That just ruins expensive straps.
 

jrgtr42

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Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
2,308
I only have Schallers on two of my guitars. Yes the nut can back off. A socket wrench will tighten it. I face the open end "horseshoe" oriented up in relation to how the guitar rests while standing.

I stay away from them. They are "clicky" and awkward. The guitars that I own that have non-schaller strap locks are all Dunlops. Those never failed me are quiet and easy to use. Everything else gets Grolsch rubber washers.

The thing don't like about all strap locks in general is drilling out the hole in the guitar body to accommodate the larger screw AND making a big hole in the strap to accommodate the large strap lock itself. That just ruins expensive straps.
I'm not a fan of the \Dunlops. Unless you inset the reciever into the guitar, they stick out way to far for my tastes. I had them once and they always got hung up on stuff.
 
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