Conference napalm::guitar

    Another all-too-familiar scenario is when a guitar gets knocked off
    of a, seemingly stable, stand. This has happened to me before. Don't
    ever assume your guitar is perfectly safe just because it is on a 
    stand. I use rubber bands to hold the neck firmly to the stand,
    and carry a big stick to beat people back that don't belong on the
    stage. 
    
    Fortuneatly, the worst that has happended to me was when my acoustic
    got knocked over stand and all, resulting in a few dings. I have
    found that the best guitar stands are the ones that your neck hangs
    from as apposed to the ones that depend on balance, with the lower
    bout resting on the base of the stand. 
    
    One more piece of advice. If you own a guitar that means the world to
    you, leave it home. Get yourself something with little of no vintage
    value that is easily repaired to drag around on the road. Something
    on the idea of a Tele or Strat clone. If you have a mis-hap, you
    can buy a new bolt-on neck for relatively small change. Cosmetic
    damage won't break your heart as much on an instrument like this
    either. 
    
	My condolences, Craig.
    
    	Mark
    

    Sorry to hear that, Kevin...
    
    I've almost lost a couple, but luckily always managed to catch them
    before they hit anything.  Strap locks are definately the way to go.
    
    Greg

    
    In terms of actual cash value, my guitar isn't worth much.  Probably
    $300 or so.  It's worth much more than that to me, though.
    
    When I saw what I had done, I immediately wanted to take it to Richard
    Stanley and have him make it new again.  Price no object.  So my wife
    says "Err, does it really make sense to spend hundreds of dollars to
    repair a guitar that's only worth a couple of hundred?"
    
    Boy, what a time for the truth to get in the way.
    
    Kevin
               

    I suggest you take the guitar to Rich MacDuff in Shrewsbury. Chances
    are, he can repair most of the dings by touching up with lacquer,
    and if any glueing is needed, he can do that as well. Chances are, 
    he would charge you less than $50 to repair all the damage within
    reason.
    
    Mark
    

       The best so far...

       My Charvel model 5 with neck-thru body went for a flight off stage
       one night.  The nut on my schaler strap-lock fell off at the same time
       I let go of my guitar in a song and my guitar went for a 6 foot drop
       onto the dance floor.  I went down to get it and the shock was so hard
       it popped the tremolo unit out dangling by the strings. (what a sight)

       I then used my backup guitar (Model 6) for the rest of the set. It did
       seem like a terrible mess at the time, but I put it all back together
       on break and finished the show with it.  That was 1.5 years ago and it
       still is playing fine with it's assortment of road scars.

       Since I play from 3-5 nights a week all over New England wierd things
       do happen.  Now my strap locks are "very tight", so this won't happen
       again.
                                                      Larry

	Mishaps can occur in the most unexpected circumstances . . .
    as when a good friend gigged with his brand new $5000.00 D'Aquisto
    for the first time . . . he was safely on stage away from the unruly
    masses in the audience, with his prized possession cradled in his
    arms . . . when his clumsy bass player backed into and knocked a mic
    stand over onto his guitar.   Sometimes you need that big stick
    for use on band members as well . . . 
    
    Steve

    
    Straplocks are a must.  I can remember doing a show in Germany at
    a club called Kubrick's.  I went to spin my bass around my neck
    and lost the strap as it came back around.  Needless to say the
    axe went for a cruise at an altitude of about 15 feet into the middle
    of the crowd!  What a mess!  After countless beatings about the head
    and body, induced by myself out of anger, I recovered it only to
    see the very large crack running up the back of the neck.  Luckily
    I did have a back-up and it was a nice as that one **WAS**.  The
    unfortunate bass now resides at the bottom of the Rhein Main as
    I sacrificed it to the Bass God's through a van window.
    
    Moral:  Always use what you can to prevent an accident!
    
    
    Mr. Ed
    

    Shaller folks BEWARE !!
    
    RE: .5
    
    Yes !  Shaller locks are NOTORIOUS for 'losing a nut' (sorry ;^)
    I've lost nuts permanently and had to play without the locks.
    I lost one at Fridays little "gig" <agagagaga>.  I'm gonna loc-tite
    'em tonight.
    
    Sorry to hear that you dropped your baby man.  That stinks.
    
    jc (Who knows from experience)

    Thanks for the warning, Jeff.

    Speaking of that, perhaps a good direction for this topic to turn is
    toward what strap locks work the best.

    I've used the Jim Dunlop ones for about a year now and they seem very
    solid.  

    Any other comments (good or bad) about the various types/brands of
    strap locks available?
    
    Greg

    Are the Jim Dunlop ones the round gadgets with the button in the
    middle you need to push ?
    
    The Shallers are horseshoe shaped affairs that you remove by *pulling*
    a button...
    
    jc

    
    I've been fortunate enough to not have lost any of my basses to
    my strap slipping off (even with no locks!!!), but I once watched
    a friend/roadie accidently knock over my Ampeg stack.  The stack
    was fine until 2 weeks later, when our guitarist accidently dropped
    my head on the floor....
    
    I always though that amp must have had a date with fate.  The cab
    survived....
    
    Ron.

    
    
    I tighten my strap lock's nuts (get ya mind out of the gutter!) 
    before practise, after practise and inbetween whenever its needed.
                                                      
    Nothing worse than going through a round_the_body spin and seeing
    you fav axe fly off at mach-2 into the bass drum !

    
    I have both the DiMarzio style (similar to the Dunlops) and the
    Schalllers.  
    
    I find the Schallers are better as they "cradle" the strap button,
    plus, you can use the guitar with a regular strap as well in a pinch.
    
    With the Di Marzios, after I snap them in I always tug on them to make
    sure they are seated, a couple of times, they have popped out so I
    reseated them.  If I start using that bass on gigs again, I'm going to
    put a Schaller lock on it.
    
    BTW, the only reason I started using locks was because the basses came
    with them installed.  Now I wouldn't use a bass without them.

    I've tried em all and I think the DImarzio system is the saftest bet
    (after the safety check described by B. Rost, of course!).
    
    The others still have a change to come off in one way or another.

    
    Check out the DiMarzio system.  It is made out of a nylon type material
    with brass inserts that screw directly into your axe.  The lock
    itself is built into the strap.  Do one better, this comes with
    screws and the whole nine yards, but take and drill your hole a
    little oversize, then take one of those plastic inserts, I think
    they call them wall anchors, and insert that into the hole and then
    use the screws.  This is what I did and Ive jumped up and down spun
    the thing around, pulled it like a bow and this thing will not let
    go!  Great system.  Be careful when you use the anchors, if you
    don't drill the hole the right size (smaller) and you use a scew
    to big for the anchor, you could split the wood!  Be careful and
    use the correct drill size for the insert you get.
    
    Mr. Ed
    

    re: Jeff
    
    The Jim Dunlop ones have a strap button that looks like a normal one
    (and can be used as a normal one, but has a cavity in it into which you
    insert the locking mechanism.  It's kind of like those detachable
    keychains where you push a little button on the end in to free some
    small ball bearings that allow it to be inserted or removed.  Seems
    very secure (after the check which Brian and Buck mentioned).
    
    Sounds like the DiMarzio setup is similar, but I've never seen one so I
    don't really know.  
    
    I definately don't like the Schaller setup, with the nuts that can come
    off and all.  The Dunlop one holds onto the strap using a C-ring type
    thing.  
    
    Greg

    I'll try the Dunlop locks.  I always figured a better way had to
    be.  Thanks for the plug boize.
    
    jc

    
    
    	You might also try Shaller staplocks. I think they might
    be similar to the Dunlop locks. The actual button that attaches
    to the guitar looks like normal strap button, except it has a 
    groove that goes around the circumference of the button. The
    locking part has a U shaped section that you slide over the
    button. It automatically locks. To remove the strap, you pull
    a little knob on the fron the the lock and pull the strap off. 
    
    	I don't know about Dunlop lock, but I think the original 
    Strap Lock is pretty ugly with those really long strap button.
    
    -Tom
    
    P.S. Do I use 'em, well, ah, not yet. I had them on my other bass,
    but left 'em on when I traded it in. By the time I figured out what
    I had done, the music store had sold my old bass. :-(.
    
    

    
    I'm surprised so many people are against the Schaller locks, mostly on
    account of the nut.
    
    Looking at it physically, and discounting the nut issue for a moment,
    the fact that the Schaller system actually "cradles" the strap button
    while also inserting a small rod into the center of the button seems to
    me more secure than the DiMarzio/Dunlop system of hanging on with some
    spring-loaded ball bearings.  Plus, the strap button Schaller uses is
    grooved so you can use a strap *without* the locks in a pinch (like you
    forgot to bring a strap to the gig, etc.).  The Di Marzio button is
    smooth and you *cannot* use a strap that doesn't have the lock
    installed.
    
    As far as the nut, I never had any trouble with it loosening, but I
    have had problems with the washer being too small and starting to slip
    through the slot in the strap.  I ended up changing to much larger
    washers and that solved the problem.  Are you guys using lock washers
    as well?
    
    I will admit that I never had any problems with the DiMarzio locks
    coming loose as long as I gave them a good tug after snapping them in.
    I just have a gut feeling that the Schaller is more secure.
    
    							Brian

    
    My guitarist in my old band used to use the Dunlop set-up for along
    time, but after forgeting his strap a couple of times, he said forget
    it and got the schallers because of the fact that you can use a
    normal strap in a bind.  The schallers do seem to be stronger because
    of the way they cradle the guitar.  Like I said in my previous note
    though, the new DiMarzio system kicks bootie.  I haven't been able
    to shake this baby loose no matter what I do.  Excellent set-up.
     I think its more of a personal preference of the type you like.
     Try them all out and settle on the one you like.  But at least
     use one of these systems, if you don't you might be looking at
    that big gash in the side of your new axe sooner than you think!
    
    
    Mr. Ed
    

    Stopped by Mr. C's yesterday and picked up a set of Dunlops being
    sold under the Gibson label for $18.  They claimed that they are
    close relatives of pieces of parachuting hardware.  Seem pretty
    secure to me.

    I'm surprised no one has mentioned the most effective and cheapest
    method:
    
    	Just get a metal washer large enough to fit over the small end of
    your strap button but not large enough to slip over the wider flange
    end of the strap button.  What do they cost, about a dime apiece?
    I've got six guitars set up this way and I've never had one slip off
    yet.  Of course, it requires buying a strap for each guitar ($10)
    and a little bit of screwdriver use but it's cosmetically unnoticeable
    and guaranteed to work all the time.  Never have any trouble fitting
    the guitar into the case with the strap on either.  (Then again, none
    of my straps are covered with metal studs or spikes, those could cause
    a problem). 
    
    
	poor attempt at an illustration:
    
    
                           strap
                               \
                                \
                 _____________   \
    		/   guitar    \  | 
               /        body   |-||-<  <-------strap button
           ----                |  ^
                                  |
                                  |
                               washer
    
    
                                        	Ron
    
    
    					

    re: .22
    
    I've seen people do that.  Makes putting the guitar in some of the
    tight fitting cases virtually impossible.  I like the flexability of
    being able to use different straps if I want to (without having to take
    a screwdriver to my guitar to do it).  Worth the $12 for me.
    
    re: Dunlop 
    
    Someone mentioned that you can't use a strap without the lock mechanism
    with the Dunlop strap locks.  This is completely wrong!  You *can* use
    straps without locks on the Dunlop lock buttons!  The only difference
    in the strap button is that there is a larger hole in the end of it for
    the locking mechanism.  The rest is just like a regular button.  The
    spring loaded mechanism is very secure, seems like the whole unit would
    have to physically come apart for it to come loose unintentionally.
    
    Greg

    Anyone play an acoustic/electric on which the end-pin doubles as
    a jack. I do. What choice do you have in this case ? You cannot
    switch to any of the available strap-lock systems, as no-one
    makes an end-pin-jack/straplock. The only way around this that
    I am aware of is to take one of the leather strap locks and
    place it behind the end-pin-jack at the time of installation.
    This works, but it has the tendency to mar up the finish on the
    instrument in the area surrounding the end-pin-jack. It also
    tends to cause your end-pin-jack to loosen up.
    
    There is not always an easy answer to all problems especially where
    acoustic/electrics are concerned.
    
    Mark
    
    

    
    	re: dunlops
    
    	ALSO, after you buy the strap attachment ($8.90), then you only
    	need to buy the buttons for each guitar ($2.90).  Thees Amerika!

    Yes, "USE" those strap locks. My little ole fender bullet went for a
    ride once. It hit the floor hard, lucky for me, fenders look good
    beatup. I put locks on after that. Of course after doing that my 9
    year old Ovation All American jumped off its guitar stand. Sometimes
    you just can't win. I am now going to look for someone to refinish
    the face of my Ovation. That nasty little crack on the face is getting
    worse. Any advice as to where I should take it...
    
    
    Rj

    re .26  If you are located in the Central Mass area, see reply .4
    
    Mark
    

    Thanks Mark. I will look him up...
    
    
    Roger

    
    
    		FYI, I picked up a set of Peavey strap locks this weekend
    at Daddy's. Much to my surprise, the strap locks were actually made
    in W. Germany by none other than Shaller. They were like my old
    Shaller locks, but a little larger. They were cheap, too. Only $7.50
    a pair. I'm pretty sure I paid over $10.00 a pair, a few years back,
    when I bought "brand name" Shaller locks. 
    
    		It's kinda funny to me that on the package, Peavey has
    a little phrase about "American Pride" and the product in the package
    is imported. :^)
    
    -Tom
    

    o-o-o-o-o-o-o.. all these tails of fine instruments taking flight,
    or plunging to an early death is depressing me..  Making me remember
    all the incidents I've had, and makes me realize how lucky I've
    been in the last 9 years with my stuff.  Nothing but a few cosmetics
    which I think,,, add character :)
    
    The one that makes me chuckle was Mr. Eds story..
    
    Of course, he one not tried the old Loop-de-loop....
    
    But heres a war story that wouldn't have been saved a damn by Strap
    Locks.
    
    My teacher for 7 years, (back when I was in Junior high, through High
    School) Jonny Moore,, [Great Guy, Excellent guitarist] was playing
    at a local resturant/lounge where (quite by coincedence my wife was
    waitressing at the time), with his vintage Gibson Humming bird....  He 
    puts the guitar, down on his chair, and mosies over to the bar to have
    a beer with his old pal Ray, (me..)... He no sooner sits down and we
    hear this sickening crunch, and an accompanying "Oh Shit!"  
    
    Some portly gent, who had a few too many, lost his balance on the
    way to the restroom, and sat on it, literaly crushing the guitar....  
    
    Lucky for Johnny the guy not only had a drinking problem, but a lot of 
    money,,,  He asked Jonnhy to asses the damage, Jonnhy Shurgged his 
    shoulders, (how can one put a price tag on a 15 year old humming bird
    in real good shape) and said,, "Wow,, a lot of dough,,,"
    
    The guy pulls out his check book, and writes John a check...
    
    I don't know what the amount was,(never asked) but he (Jhonny) bought a
    beautiful Guild 12 string with the money... 
    
    Oh the trials and tribulations of the working musician. 

    
    Hey Ray,
    
    Let's just say that even with the strap locks, the loop de loop
    is no longer being used!  HAHHAHAHA!
    
    Mr. Ed
    

    So Mr Ed,
    
    All I can say is a home video of the incident would undoubtedly
    bring tears to my eyes.  Wouldn't happen to have a copy
    for sale would you?  Guess it was just toooo much to ask.
    I'll have to go on imagination..

    Funny story all the same...  Really.
  
    Maybe you can try one of those "Two Point Stalls" next.  Just
    bring a parachute......
        
    

    
    
    Now I'm dying just thinking about it! AGAGAGAGAGA!  Thanks for getting
    me in a better mood.
    
    Mr. Ed