strap locks

[steelvibe]

Hey CF community! Have any of you put strap locks on your Rainsong? I have a couple straps and they keep slipping on me- obviously a concern for a variety of reasons.

[Barb1]

Check out http://www.tapastring.com/strapkeeper0605.htm for keeping the strap on the end pin jack. On the other strap pin I use a rubber washer from a bottle of Grolsch beer.
Barb

[Res Ipsa]

+1 on the end pin jack.

On the other end, I use a rubber fender washer (hardware store). Not as much fun as the beer, but it works fine!

[Steve Christens]

I hate (HATE!) strap jack endpins. On my GX I wanted to be able to use my beloved Schaller Strap Locks on both ends of the strap, so I just installed a Schaller endpin close to the original jack, half way between it and the top. Works great, and no one has yet even noticed it is there.

I noticed that Martin had begun doing much the same on some models, having a separate jack and endpin - a great idea.

[Strumalot]

I use the Tapastring on my GX and X10N. I've also used Strap Jacks... http://www.strap-jack.com, handy for a quick fix or if you want to easily remove the strap from the guitar.

[steelvibe]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

[joeguam]

Here are some threads to help you, I use Loxx Strap Locks because it does not have any sharp edges and that results in minimal dings on the guitar.

Lesson learned - Upgrade that strap or use strap locks!
Here's how to install strap locks on acoustic guitars...
Installed strap locks with Taylor ES endpin

[ac]

I think for wood, these would be great strap locks. But you really need a washer and nut for carbon fiber because the material is thin.

With wood, the screw can drill really deep for support, but with CF, it would be just a thread or two that would grab into the thin composite material. It might hold, but I'd worried over time it would damage the guitar, widen, and eventually not hold well.

The type of threads do not look like you can use them with a washer and nut. I didn't see any other type of threads on their web site. Can it be modified somehow?

[joeguam]

Interesting. I don't know much about CF guitars yet, do they not have an end block?

I've seen Rainsong guitars with strap pins installed in the end block area, there has to be some sort of mass that it installs into for stability right?

Also, don't Rainsong guitars ship with Fishman electronics? Fishman invented the endpin jack that most pickups use today, and it was specifically designed for end blocks.

Can anyone confirm whether or not there's an end block in CF guitars?

[fazool]

Originally Posted by steelvibe

...a couple straps and they keep slipping on me- obviously a concern for a variety of reasons.

Thirty years ago, I had one guitar and loved it. My strap button let go and my guitar swung to the floor, cracking its neck.

Ever since then, I have been a strap-locking fanatic.

I don't have an answer for you about your CF guitar, but I can share that your concern is valid and you are doing the "right" thing.

[steelvibe]

Ah...yes joeguam, that is a great question. My RainSong was ordered direct without electronics. I suppose that creates a different situation for me since the end pin doesn't double as a 1/4" jack. It is the same button that your usual guitar would have on the upper bout at the neck.

[steelvibe]

Originally Posted by fazool

Thirty years ago, I had one guitar and loved it. My strap button let go and my guitar swung to the floor, cracking its neck.

Ever since then, I have been a strap-locking fanatic.

I don't have an answer for you about your CF guitar, but I can share that your concern is valid and you are doing the "right" thing.

I've not lost one on stage but I've come close

I've also been practicing at home lately standing and discovered the issue is compounded on my Rainsong because there is less material at the end pin since the guitar is sans electronics. I've got to figure something out.

[Steve Christens]

Originally Posted by ac

I think for wood, these would be great strap locks. But you really need a washer and nut for carbon fiber because the material is thin.

With wood, the screw can drill really deep for support, but with CF, it would be just a thread or two that would grab into the thin composite material. It might hold, but I'd worried over time it would damage the guitar, widen, and eventually not hold well.

The type of threads do not look like you can use them with a washer and nut. I didn't see any other type of threads on their web site. Can it be modified somehow?

Excellent point. Anyone with any fiberglass boat experience can testify that you just about always want to use through bolts, and not simple wood or sheet metal screws when fastening to thin composite material. That's partly why I like the Shaller strap locks, as you can easily go to any hardware store and purchase a stainless machine screw and nyloc nut with washer to replace the supplied wood screw. That's what I did when I added a Shaller to the heel of my GX, and it frankly never occurred to me to even try using the supplied wood screw. The Loxx looks like a nice unit, but stick with a Shaller for a CF guitar. as it makes it easy to use a bolt.

[joeguam]

Would it be simple to add a mass of material (e.g. wood, delrin, etc on the inside for stability? This would be similar to what Fender does on their acoustics to mount their strap pin in the upper bout.

[Steve Christens]

Originally Posted by joeguam

Would it be simple to add a mass of material (e.g. wood, delrin, etc on the inside for stability? This would be similar to what Fender does on their acoustics to mount their strap pin in the upper bout.

Well sure it would be simple, but then you couldn't use your CF guitar as a canoe paddle anymore! Though come to think of it, I supposed if you have the electronics aboard you wouldn't be doing that anyway.

Sure you could put a block of wood there to reinforce the area, but what could be more simple than a bolt with a nut and washer on the inside surface? (Unless you can't reach it I guess....)