Stap Locks

[TheEclectic]

I just put strap locks on my Megatar. I used the Dunlop ones.

I have always known that the forces on my strap on the right hand side of the instrument were such that the strap would eventually come off - and it did. Fortunetly I had a grip with one of my hands and the Megatar did not hit the floor. However. it was a scarry happening. :eek:

I noticed that many of the tap instrument designs have this flaw - positining the strap attachments in such a way as to encourage the strap to come off.

Don't let this happen to you.

[traktor]

If the instrument is near-vertical, then there's no tendency for the strap to un-button, for the shaft of the button presses 'downward' along the plane of the strap's buttonhole, and at 90 degrees to the hole of the buttonhole.

However, if you play the instrument with the head tilted downward to your left, then yes, the strap can un-button. If you played it horizontal like a guitar, the strap button should unbutton just about every time. In that case, I think the Schaller design, with the u-shaped cup, probably offers the greatest protection. And of course, the beauty of strap locks, of any design and on any instrument, is that properly installed they protect your instrument from unbuttoning, no matter what.

But if using strap buttons rather than strap locks, it's just a fact that the buttons have to assume an attitude for the instrument, and in this case, the strap buttons and their location assume a vertical positioning, as is commonly used.

[jamsire]

Never fails.

[TheEclectic]

Packaging tape? Dude, its not about how well it functions, its about how cool it looks. ;)

I did not mean to single out the Megatar (I really like my Megatar) as guitars have this problem as well. I had a similar strap failure on my Godin Grand Concert SA (my #1 guitar) and switched it over to strap locks the day after. On one of my electrics with a bolt on neck I relocated the strap button to one of the neck screws to provide better loading of the strap (it also helped the way the guitar hangs).

I am not a rowdy guy, so it is not my thrashing about that posses a problem. I attribute the excess angular forces on the strap button to my extra large frame and ever increasing girth.

[jamsire]

I have several Godins, I thought they all came with strap locks.

Mine did. Is there something I'm missing?

[TheEclectic]

Mine came right from the factory to the dealer and into my hands. No strap locks, just regular starp buttons. This was in 2004.

I had to order it and it took a about 3 months to get here. There was not one to be had in the Carolinas or Georgia - not even Atlanta. I guess there are not that many classical guitar players interested in midi.

You would think that thier top of the line guitar (at the time) would have had this feature.

[rjgoos]

I use a Meg-Strap with my ADG-10, and it holds it a nice upright position.

But, it does, rarely, come loose, so I want to put straplocks on.

I think the ADG is already set up for it (I bought it used, so I don't know what it was originally ordered with), but I'm not sure.

So...here is a picture...is this a Dunlop or Schaller (or other brand of strap lock):

http://www.tap6.com/images/adg-straplock.jpg


Also, I think my Solene (also bought used) has straplocks (well, I know it does, but the strap disappeared). Any idea which brand this one is?


http://www.tap6.com/images/solene-straplock.jpg


Thanks.

[Nightmare Music]

the ADG looks like a standard strap button

the solene looks like a schaller strap lock.

dunlop may have changed designs since i've used them though, i had an old set. the ones i'm used to look more like this http://images.misupply.com/products/original/Dunlop/51965.jpg
but there are pics on a google image search for dunlop strap lock that look more like what you posted

[K Rex]

Traktor,

I'm in need of a better strap for my (rather heavy) Phalanx. The weight of the instrument pushes the neck up and away from me. I need it pulled back a bit toward my neck and chest. Is the meg-strap well-suited to this end?

K Rex

[arsacane]

Traktor,

If it works I could be interested in the megstrap for my Warr too.


Regards, arsacane

[RocknDrTom]

In regard to strap locks, I've tried all the different models on assorted instruments. The Dunlops are good and solid. I dislike the Q-parts ones the most, since they really require an additional lock washer that they don't provide.

My new favorite:
http://store.guitarfetish.com/paofchstlost.html

These have the bigger, heavier outside knob like a gretsch guitar, and I like the reverse concept for releasing the strap.

[traktor]

Originally posted by K Rex
I'm in need of a better strap for my (rather heavy) Phalanx. The weight of the instrument pushes the neck up and away from me. I need it pulled back a bit toward my neck and chest. Is the meg-strap well-suited to this end? Interesting question. I don't really know the answer, as I've never tried a MegStrap on a Warr.

Mark uses very different anchor points on the instrument, to allow for playing vertically or horizontally. So the short version is that I don't know.

However, try one. It will come with the usual 7-day Guarantee of Satisfaction, meaning that if it doesn't work, you'll know it the first day, and so you can return it (still in new condition and not altered) for a refund of purchase price.

One other consideration is whether the Warr has locks and what type. Our locks are Schaller-style which is a little U-shaped cup on the strap into which the locking button fits and locks. If your Warr has this kind then it should have some protruding buttons, so you could try a plain MegStrap sans locks to see if it works. However, if your Warr has the kind of locks where the strap has a part which inserts into a cup set into the Warr, you'll have to temporarily use the locks from your existing strap. Whether you can install these into the button sized holes on the MegStrap remains to be seen. However, duct tape to the rescue should -- as an experiment -- tell you quickly whether the MegStrap will work.

And then, one way or the other, we'd all like to know how it works.

[arsacane]

K Rex,

I think that with the 7 day guarantee it is worth to try. Unfortunatelly I'm in Europe so it is a little bit more complicated (and expensive because of the shipping) to me to try it out and eventually send it back if it doesn't work.
I have the same problem with the neck tilting forward but it is not so bad for me as I play seated most of the time. If you try it please let us know the result.

Cheers, arsacane.