Jacked Up - Extender With Ball Strap - Thick Review

Information technology's pretty obvious that guitarists are concerned more often than not with guitars, amps and overall tone—and that'southward PG'due south central focus, likewise—but sometimes nosotros tin can fail the small-scale but basic precautionary steps that would protect our most prized possessions. And so, nosotros decided to pay some attending to the often-overlooked accessories that can potentially save guitars from crashing to the floor at the adjacent exercise or gig: strap locks and locking straps.

To test these various devices, nosotros used a pair of standard guitars everyone tin relate to: an all-mahogany 2008 Gibson Les Paul Studio and a 1980s Japanese Fender Stratocaster. Before assembling all of the locking mechanisms, beginning we checked the packages to see what was included in each. And so, nosotros compared strap buttons and screws to the standard Gibson and Fender equipment. After assembling each mechanism, we maneuvered the guitars through rigorous phase-set jolts, jumps and twists to assess the quality of each product. We lifted the guitars by their straps, shook them, yanked on them, and even tried a few strap-spins (we're a footling rusty). It was a lot like being 12 over again, billowy off the walls like at that place would be no price to pay, but this time we're calling it research. Basically, we did all the things nosotros could think of to make a proud guitar owner wince. Then, when nosotros came to our senses, we checked to see how each fixed assembly would fit with the guitars in their cases.

STRAP LOCK SYSTEMS

Schaller Security Locks
The pioneer in the strap locks, Schaller has been producing Security Locks for 30 years, and they're featured on select Fender Custom Shop models. The Schaller Security Locks are the smallest in this roundup, merely their size doesn't diminish their ability to stand up to the competition. Actually, the lack of mass may be a benefit compared to other, clunkier locks. The screws in the parcel were smaller than standard Gibson screws, which could nowadays a problem. Also, if the lock assembly isn't fastened 100% snug on the strap, or your strap is very worn, it could easily slide through a big or loose eyehole. To ease your worries, all Schaller products are guaranteed for five years.

Like many of the others, the use of ball bearings and springs ways y'all could experience problems downwards the road if you don't keep them properly lubricated. Once everything is assembled, secured and lubed, though, the standard chrome Schaller locks are piece of cake to spike and unfasten. They're sturdy and undecayed, and they'll final through all of your slinging and swinging. They'll too fit easily inside the Gibson instance and won't damage your guitar during storage. Schaller sells pins separately, and then y'all tin can deck out all your guitars and just use your favorite strap for all your guitar changes. They're available in chrome, aureate, satin and ruthenium.

List $14.99–19.99
schaller-electronic.com

Hennessey Strap Locks – Metallics
Made of anodized aluminum, the Metallics were the easiest in the group to assemble. All they required was inserting the mounting spiral (identical to the Gibson'due south) and tightening the strap pin, and so screwing a fastener to the within of the strap holes. The lock itself contains a leap and brawl bearings, which indicate the lock's security with a convincing "popular." The locks undo with a elementary button-push, but remain locked with any additional pressure or weight on the associates, which is ideal for those accidental crash-land-and-runs with other gear and bandmates.

After passing all the simulated stage encounters trials, the locks were nonetheless intact and begging for more. With strap pins similar in size to standard Gibsons, the Hennessey locks had no trouble plumbing equipment in the snug example. I affair that really stood out in this package: a felt washer included to protect the guitar confronting the metallic pins—we're sure that taking such care is profoundly appreciated by guitars everywhere. Pairs come in silvery, royal, red, gunmetal, blue and black.

List $29–41
hennesseyguitarparts.com

Dunlop Dual-Design Straplok Organization
Dunlop has been producing these since 1988, and they're OEM products on several brands of guitars and basses. They're probably the most noticeable strap retainer devices in our roundup. One area these aim to address is the pin connector that attaches to the strap. To counter a tendency for strap lock connectors to fall through the eyehole of a worn or distressed strap, Dunlop designed a fatter, more birdbrained pin connector to keep the strap where information technology's supposed to exist, on your guitar.

They're release-tested up to 800 lbs, so we did our best to make them fail. The locks didn't blanch. The 360° groove-and-ball design allows the unit to rotate without communicable, and the case-hardened steel skin guarantees long life. Nosotros did find that the push-push button is difficult to undo when the lock and bearings haven't been lubricated, which can be inconvenient. Once more, this is either a approval or a hassle, depending on how often you're making guitar changes with one strap. The Straploks come in blackness, chrome and gold finishes.

Listing $xx–xxx
jimdunlop.com

Ernie Brawl Super Locks
These are tested for over 850 lbs of pressure, which should offer sufficient prophylactic even for owners of quondam-school LPs. Ernie Ball worked with a company called Robust Mechanics on the mechanical engineering science, and the Super Locks debuted at '08 Wintertime NAMM. The necessary assembly was straightforward, and the screws and strap buttons matched the standard Gibson parts, making it an easy swap-out. This package does not offer a protective washer to safeguard guitar finishes.

After associates, we put the locks through their paces, and they handled everything we threw at them. Nosotros even tried some "accidental" bumps to disengage the locks, but they didn't become for it—the pinch-and-release mechanism ensures greater protection, every bit it has two points of release rather than one (button down and pull). Like the others, these need to be kept lubricated. Super Locks come in black, chrome or gold.

List $26–35
ernieball.com

Big Stone Engineering Cord Lok Arrangement
Designed and patented past Bill Gray and Allen Run a risk, the latter also helped develop the patents for what became Dunlop Straploks, the Cord Lok Arrangement secures cords and acts as a strap lock on the rear push. The assembly of the Cord Lok is minimal, and requires no modification to a guitar with Fender strap buttons. A standard Strat button is included, in instance you need one.

The String Lok fits snug on this style of buttons only. Information technology feeds the cord through a tight loop to relieve tension and prevent it from unplugging. All the materials are made of soft, durable plastic to ensure it won't mar the guitar's finish. Information technology also works well in conjunction with Schaller and Dunlop strap locks. It even provides an elastic loop to wrap a cord after use. Although it's meant for the rear strap button, it will work on the front button, too, if you're in a pinch—and it comes in packs of ii.

List $15
f1pick.com

LOCKING STRAPS

DiMarzio ClipLock Strap
Designing these back in the early on '80s, Larry DiMarzio set out to accommodate any and all players with a versatile line-up of secure straps. Now his line of USA-made ClipLocks boasts a collection of straps in varying sizes fabricated from nylon, cordura, cotton, and Italian leather. There are also signature straps (a leather Steve Vai and a leopard-impress Yngwie J. Malmsteen). Whether you're a jazz guitarist who keeps the guitar snug against your chest or a metal-maniac who lets that baby hang, these straps have the length to cover the need.

As for the mechanics, DiMarzio keeps things fundamentally uncomplicated with few parts and easy assembly. There were only 2 minor concerns. First, the female ends of the clips stay mounted to the guitar, and may rub against the musical instrument in the example, potentially leading to some harm for the finish or wood, but the use of plastic doesn't seem also threatening to the forest for standard storage. Second was the fact that material connecting the clip to the guitar is made to match each item strap. The clips do work with other ClipLock straps seamlessly, merely the aesthetic appeal is lost when they're mis-matched with straps of different colors or materials. With thoughtful add-ons (safe washers and ii sizes of mounting screws—one set identical to the Gibson's) to protect the guitar's finish, the ClipLock works well. According to DiMarzio, they'll concord over 150 lbs. Even our guitar-slinging antics couldn't jar these loose. Listing $26–89 dimarzio.com

Planet Waves Planet Lock Strap
The Planet Lock Straps are an ideal culling if y'all want the security of a strap lock merely don't want to alter the guitar. With a few clicks of the locking mechanism, the strap locks onto the existing guitar pins. Information technology'due south released merely as apace by pinching the safety push button and rolling dorsum the lock. We tried locking it to a number standard pins, and each time it locked snug and held the guitar without declining during our acrobatics.

These are non your average 2" nylon straps either. They're a flake thicker and made to stay flat (they don't roll in at the edges). They're comfy and distribute weight over the shoulders rather than pulling on your neck. Y'all do have to remove the strap to adapt the length, which could exist a benefit or a hassle, depending on how often you change your straps. In addition to the fact that at that place's no assembly on the guitar, both locking ends are padded with safety molding then the locks won't harm to the finish. There's as well a discrete pick pocket to concur an actress if you lose yours. The straps come in various woven patterns, including stars and stripes, flames, black, iron cross, voodoo and many more.

List $32.99
planetwaves.com

Lock-Information technology Guitar Strap
We have to acknowledge that some things are not what they at offset appear to be. This fourth dimension, it'southward a expert affair. We were initially hesitant about the Lock- It Guitar Straps. To be honest, they don't expect similar they'll exercise the trick: the locking machinery is thin and flexible, not at all like the beefy, solid components nosotros were getting used to. Merely after looking into the scientific discipline of their construction and effective only simple design—and testing them out—we did an nearly face.

The all-in-i package requires no modifications to a guitar and features spring-loaded locks using Slide-Lock Engineering science. The sliding locks residing within the leather strap ends are slim and highly flexible, but they won't let go. They may await like they will, but they won't (nosotros tried). They as well come with reversed front end ends for guitars with pins at the neck/heel articulation. They were a snap to put on and remove from all the guitars nosotros tried them on, and they had no problems adjusting to the varying pin sizes. These come in a wide variety of patterns and materials, including polypropylene, leather and hemp. After nearly turning our noses up at these straps, we detect ourselves singing a unlike melody virtually the easy locking solution they offering.

List $24.95–62.50
lockitstraps.com

harringtonthones.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.premierguitar.com/gear/lock-stock-and-roll-strap-lock-roundup

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