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Thread: Strap Locks

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    Default Strap Locks

    This is technically a guitar question, but I feel a lot of folks must face the same situation with their mandolins. My guitar has a K&K pickup, which means that the endpin has been replaced with a jack. I'm having a difficult time keeping my strap firmly attached. My previous mando also had a K&K, but the strap didn't seem to be nearly as much of an issue. I'm considering a strap lock of some sort, but I've never seen them out fitted on an acoustic. Suggestions?
    Mitch Russell

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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    If you don't play plugged in and you want to feel more secure simply plug in a 1/4" plug with no cord. I would place a stitch in the slit of the cord to tighten it up on the jack. Some cords have more length than you need and hang down several inches, i that is the case simply turn the strap end that is hanging back and secure a second part to the strap button. Sometimes a large safety pin outside the strap makes a good strap lock. It would take a large safety pin for an electric jack tho, could be done. A separate piece of leather that fits tighter after your strap that is like 1" square would help secure it too. Many options shouldn't be hard to make one of them work.
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    I’m having similar difficulty with a slightly over-sized strap hole on a normal sized endpin. Someone recently suggested using the rubber rings from Grolsch bottle caps (be sure to drink the Grolsch before it goes flat!) but I’m also having difficulty finding Grolsch in bottles here in the UK. They only seem to sell it in cans nowadays - how inconsiderate.

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    Registered User Bunnyf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    I use a Bailey strap and it’s leather toggle attachment is very secure on the end pin jack, even with the narrower channel. For my other straps I like the rubber washers. You can get Fenders version of the beer bottle washer online (sweetwater) and I bet you can get them at a good hardware store. You’d want to be able to leave your strap on though. I have very soft entirely leather Lakota straps on my other instruments and don’t need to take them off, so the washers work great for me.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Strap Locks

    I don't think there is such a thing as a strap lock which accommodates a 1/4" jack.

    I unscrew the fat useless 1/4" jack strap button with my fingers, put on the strap, and screw it back on. Less trouble, more secure and faster in the end.
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg P. Stone View Post
    I don't think there is such a thing as a strap lock which accommodates a 1/4" jack.

    I unscrew the fat useless 1/4" jack strap button with my fingers, put on the strap, and screw it back on. Less trouble, more secure and faster in the end.
    I think this is probably the real solution. I was just looking at it, and the problem seems to boil down to a double thick strap end (a Levy's guitar strap) and a narrow-ish groove in the endpin jack. It worked on the mando simply because the mando strap was only a single layer thick.

    Time to pull out the pliers and take the end off the jack.
    Mitch Russell

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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    Now that I think about it, it seems odd that they would use an end-pin jack that doen't work well with the most common type of guitar strap. I don't think I've ever seen a guitar-specific strap that wasn't sewn double thick on the ends. A wider groove on the jack would solve the problem easily.
    Mitch Russell

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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    Can you post a pic of your endpin jack.
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  9. #9
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    I use those plastic thingies that keep your bread bag closed. The best are the heavy duty ones that come on a sack of potatoes. Also have used rubber o-rings and faucet washers. Or you can use a shoelace or leather bootlace and tie your strap to the TP.
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    I use two techniques to deal with this...
    I put my strap on the button wet and let the leather shrink back to fit tight on the tiny shoulder of the end pin jack.
    I religiously use the StrapJack when not plugged in https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/strapjack.html
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    It's crude, cheap, but very effective to use Dunlop plastic locks, but....yuck.

    The very best solution for strap security is found on my Bailey strap. One strand of bootlace size leather loops around the strap button and cinched down by a very tight leather disk. Never had a hint of movement. Stays on the instrument so the holes never loosen due to wear.
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    man about town Markus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    Quote Originally Posted by MontanaMatt View Post
    I religiously use the StrapJack when not plugged in https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/strapjack.html
    NFI

    https://strapjack.com
    I do this as well, has not failed me in the 5+ years I've used one.
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    This is a fabulous idea! I was actually trying to think of some way to use a 1/4" jack to keep it from coming loose.
    Mitch Russell

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  17. #14
    man about town Markus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    Quote Originally Posted by onassis View Post
    This is a fabulous idea! I was actually trying to think of some way to use a 1/4" jack to keep it from coming loose.
    Got mine from Elderly, only seem to be able to find them a few places.
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    Registered User BoxCarJoe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    Quote Originally Posted by Ray(T) View Post
    I’m having similar difficulty with a slightly over-sized strap hole on a normal sized endpin. Someone recently suggested using the rubber rings from Grolsch bottle caps (be sure to drink the Grolsch before it goes flat!) but I’m also having difficulty finding Grolsch in bottles here in the UK. They only seem to sell it in cans nowadays - how inconsiderate.
    The Grolsch washers work great. But Fender sells a similar product.

    https://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender/...ocks-4-Pack.gc

    Same thing and pretty cheap.

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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    Around £3.99 + postage in the UK. Thanks but I think I prefer the packaging that comes with the Grolsch washers!

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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    Quote Originally Posted by Ray(T) View Post
    Around £3.99 + postage in the UK. Thanks but I think I prefer the packaging that comes with the Grolsch washers!
    Agreed.
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    The Tapastring StrapKeeper has worked well for me on my K&K equipped guitar.
    http://www.tapastring.com/strapkeeper0605.htm

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  24. #19
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    Quote Originally Posted by flacon View Post
    The Tapastring StrapKeeper has worked well for me on my K&K equipped guitar.
    http://www.tapastring.com/strapkeeper0605.htm
    I use these also, they work so good I bought one for each instrument I put a pickup in (six total)
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  26. #20
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    Default Re: Strap Locks

    I recently ran across this $20 gizmo that lets you use a Schaller-type strap lock along with a 1/4" jack. It seems well made and like it will work as promised, and I'm looking forward to trying it out at a gig tomorrow.
    https://www.musicnomadcare.com/Produ...tandard-Jacks/

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