• From: London, UK
  • Registered: 2011-04-01
  • Posts: 313

Topic: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

Hello

A common problem I seem to be getting, and I'm sure many of you get it too, is the strap coming off the guitar despite the use of straplocks.

I have a pair for my 2008 LP and whereas all the other times, the screws have just come loose, today one of them came out completely, and I would put that down to excessive use. But who can blame me? It's the guitar that feels part of me. It was in fact my first Les Paul. But that's another story.

My Dad is currently filling the hole with 'matchsticks' and wood-glue, which will take about a day to dry before we continue. I was wondering what sort of schemes you have for this problem? I know some people screw down the strap directly and this holds pretty well for them.

Cheers

Xavier

Guitars:
Epiphone Les Paul Junior Black + Gold Hardware, PRS SE Santana Yellow, Ovation Double-Neck Semi-Acoustic, Ovation Celebrity CC44 Honeyburst, Gibson 2008 Les Paul Standard Heritage Cherry Sunburst (#10), Gibson Robot Les Paul Studio 2012 Limited, Gibson 1976 Les Paul Custom Heritage Cherry Sunburst
  • From: Georgia
  • Registered: 2010-12-01
  • Posts: 278

Re: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

What strap locks are you using?

I always put toothpicks in the holes and use wood glue, then I use a longer screw than what was originally used. No problems. I use Schaller strap locks FYI.

  • From: London, UK
  • Registered: 2011-04-01
  • Posts: 313

Re: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

I use Schaller on my LP too. I have a pair of Dunlops on another of my guitars, but they don't get used often enough to be causing problems.

Thanks anyway, I'll probably carry on with how I'm going at the moment and see what happens.

Guitars:
Epiphone Les Paul Junior Black + Gold Hardware, PRS SE Santana Yellow, Ovation Double-Neck Semi-Acoustic, Ovation Celebrity CC44 Honeyburst, Gibson 2008 Les Paul Standard Heritage Cherry Sunburst (#10), Gibson Robot Les Paul Studio 2012 Limited, Gibson 1976 Les Paul Custom Heritage Cherry Sunburst

4 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-09-27 08:35:56)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

Hi Xavier,

1. You should drill out the holes completely, then go to a hardware store and purchase a small in diameter wooden dowel (instead of toothpicks or matchsticks.) Use wood glue and the dowel to plug the hole with a peg sticking out. Next day, sand down peg sticking until smooth. Redrill, and put in knobs. I had to do this to my '72 LP custom when I first got it, and the knobs stayed in the guitar very tightly. This is how a luthier would do it professionally.

2. Get rid of schaller straplocks and buy Dunlop ones. I used Schaller ones since the middle 90's and learned not to trust them. The dunlop knobs are nice too if you forget your strap, pretty secure with straps that don't have straplocks on them.... schaller ones didn't appear to be as safe for normal straps without locks on them.
For my sanity, I found that the screw on the schaller strap can come loose where dunlop's are always tightly held on with a clip. Also, Schaller straplocks can be accidentally put on upside down, where dunlop's can go 360 degrees and it doesn't matter = better design IMHO

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

I'm with Nic on this - love the Dunlops above all others.

And, I believe so does a guy you've heard of named Joe... smile

kestrou

  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

Dunlops. No problems.

  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 1,168

Re: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

Agreed.... Dunlop strap locks are a sure bet....   They do strip sometimes and a good solution is to use toothpicks inside the whole then reattach....
Joe B

  • From: London, UK
  • Registered: 2011-04-01
  • Posts: 313

Re: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

Cheers Joe, Nic, Kestrou and Dave. I'll keep Dunlop straplocks in mind and secure a few net time I'm in a guitar store.

Guitars:
Epiphone Les Paul Junior Black + Gold Hardware, PRS SE Santana Yellow, Ovation Double-Neck Semi-Acoustic, Ovation Celebrity CC44 Honeyburst, Gibson 2008 Les Paul Standard Heritage Cherry Sunburst (#10), Gibson Robot Les Paul Studio 2012 Limited, Gibson 1976 Les Paul Custom Heritage Cherry Sunburst
  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,374

Re: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Hi Xavier,

1. You should drill out the holes completely, then go to a hardware store and purchase a small in diameter wooden dowel (instead of toothpicks or matchsticks.) Use wood glue and the dowel to plug the hole with a peg sticking out. Next day, sand down peg sticking until smooth. Redrill, and put in knobs. I had to do this to my '72 LP custom when I first got it, and the knobs stayed in the guitar very tightly. This is how a luthier would do it professionally.

2. Get rid of schaller straplocks and buy Dunlop ones. I used Schaller ones since the middle 90's and learned not to trust them. The dunlop knobs are nice too if you forget your strap, pretty secure with straps that don't have straplocks on them.... schaller ones didn't appear to be as safe for normal straps without locks on them.
For my sanity, I found that the screw on the schaller strap can come loose where dunlop's are always tightly held on with a clip. Also, Schaller straplocks can be accidentally put on upside down, where dunlop's can go 360 degrees and it doesn't matter = better design IMHO

Agreed 100% on both points.  Good advice.

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  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

I like Grolsch washers.

  • From: UK
  • Registered: 2012-09-26
  • Posts: 13

Re: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

I use Dunlops Strap Lok's on ALL my Gibson Les Pauls they are relatively simple to attach for the standard buttons

HOWEVER you have to be careful with the "neck" screw as it can be drilled too short for the screw to fit all the way down easily
But with a little patience it does go all the way.

The other thing I do is to place a rubber washer under the "bell" above strap to protect the thick leather staps I use from cutting in its a 20p (30c) solution but it works!

Gibson Les Paul Standard Joe Bonamassa VOS 2012 Custom (Manchester 2013 Signed)
Fender Mustang 1969 Matching Headstock - Candy Apple Red Jazz Bass 50th Anniversary - 3 Tone Burst
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  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: NEED ADVICE: Fixing strap to the guitar

Just do like Eddie Van Halen and use eye bolts!

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