Those Grolsch type strap washers......

HAL9000

thegummy said:

Sassafras said:

Either those or those cheap plastic Dunlop clip locks.

I had those and they fell apart!

I had one fall apart whilst playing my Tele. Fortunately I was quick enough to catch the guitar before it hit the floor. Have never trusted them since.

Sassafras

For all you recovering alcoholics, you can buy the washers from any home-brew outfit.

ICBM

Odd that some of you have had the Dunlop rotary ones fall apart. I've been using them for years and never have - I also tested one to destruction once, using a strap button screwed to a plank of wood and an old very thick leather strap... I stood on the plank and pulled up on the strap - it did eventually break, but only when I was pulling with enough force that I'm pretty sure it would have lifted my Mesa Trem-o-verb (which weighed 98lb) off the ground. Maybe they vary in quality.

thegummy

Any tips for getting the Grolsch style ones on and off?

I find it quite annoying, kind of hurts the fingers slightly trying to pry them off. Using a screwdriver helps. Any better tips?

ICBM

I’ve always found they come off very easily with fingers.

bbill335

thegummy said:

Any tips for getting the Grolsch style ones on and off?

I find it quite annoying, kind of hurts the fingers slightly trying to pry them off. Using a screwdriver helps. Any better tips?

teeth

Kittyfrisk

Chipped my nail varnish & caused frightful chafing...

LastMantra

Decent buttons and strap shouldn't come off.
My strap is quite hard to get off when I'm trying. I did put a bigger button on the front of my Gibson as the originals were tiny.

In fact there wouldn't be enough room to fit anything else. 

fandango

thegummy said:

Any tips for getting the Grolsch style ones on and off?

I find it quite annoying, kind of hurts the fingers slightly trying to pry them off. Using a screwdriver helps. Any better tips?

One asks one's butler.

He even pours the beer for one beforehand, so one never has to sully one's hands on a dirty bottle.

Philtre

thegummy said:

Any tips for getting the Grolsch style ones on and off?

I find it quite annoying, kind of hurts the fingers slightly trying to pry them off. Using a screwdriver helps. Any better tips?

Wait. You mean you don't employ a guitar monkey to do these jobs for you?

RustySpanner

Decent buttons and strap shouldn't come off.
My strap is quite hard to get off when I'm trying. I did put a bigger button on the front of my Gibson as the originals were tiny.

The problem guitar is an LAG T90A acoustic with a soft leather Stagg strap. 

The buttons are quite small and the leather strap ends have frayed and enlarged a little. It's  hard to get the frayed bit to fully seat behind the button.

The strap came off the front heel button last night but luckily I don't  think there's much damage. Cant find any, despite a sickening clunk when it hit a wooden chair. 

My wife has bought me a similar (Levy's) strap for my new RG550, but that has considerably larger buttons. No way I'm risking the same thing happening with that guitar. 

The Stagg was  a Christmas present last year so I'm loath to bin it if I can find a solution.  It's  only been removed a couple of times for adjustment.

The harder leather/plastic ended straps I've used in the past have always been very secure so I'm new to this kind of thing. 

Ta for all the advice. 

Kittyfrisk

I would try the simple but effective Dunlop nylon or rubber washer/pop bottle/Grolsch solution first if possible, as a purely cost effective thing, before spending any money.
If you can't find any suitable solutions that feel right for you & you prefer a metal Schaller Straplock type thing, drop me a line & I'll see if I have some spares you can have (for free, but a donation to the FB is required). Cheers.

LastMantra

RustySpanner said:

Decent buttons and strap shouldn't come off.
My strap is quite hard to get off when I'm trying. I did put a bigger button on the front of my Gibson as the originals were tiny.

The problem guitar is an LAG T90A acoustic with a soft leather Stagg strap. 

The buttons are quite small and the leather strap ends have frayed and enlarged a little. It's  hard to get the frayed bit to fully seat behind the button.

The strap came off the front heel button last night but luckily I don't  think there's much damage. Cant find any, despite a sickening clunk when it hit a wooden chair. 

My wife has bought me a similar (Levy's) strap for my new RG550, but that has considerably larger buttons. No way I'm risking the same thing happening with that guitar. 

The Stagg was  a Christmas present last year so I'm loath to bin it if I can find a solution.  It's  only been removed a couple of times for adjustment.

The harder leather/plastic ended straps I've used in the past have always been very secure so I'm new to this kind of thing. 

Ta for all the advice. 

Ah ok.

If you can't get anything to fit you could always cut one out of a piece of rubber or soft plastic or something. 

Jonathangus

@RustySpanner - I got a pack of rubber washers from Amazon; more than I have guitars for.  PM me your address and I'll pop a couple in the post.

RustySpanner

Kittyfrisk, once again, that's  a lovely offer, thank you. 

I'm slowly coming round to the idea that the soft leather padded straps whilst comfortable, are an inherently poor design. 

If I don't feel confident after fitting the washers, I'll bin the offending straps and go back to harder leather or plastic ended alternatives. 

Happy to make a donation to this place either way.
Only picked up the guitar again last year after a long layoff - a friend's son had a long stay in hospital and took up the guitar as a form of therapy. Subsequently, my wife has also started learning. 

I've bought three new guitars and changed my amp in the past 18 months. Mostly your fault. 

This place has been most helpful and very friendly. 
Turns out I know a couple of very decent  people on here from a cycling forum I frequent, which has only enhanced my appreciation of the place. 

Once again, thanks everyone. 

Maynehead

I use the Grolsch strap locks on the most prized guitar in my possession, so that shows how much I trust them.

NelsonP

Philtre said:

+1 Definitely.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grolsch-Spare-Washers-Swing-Bottles/dp/B0026WZB7W/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=grolsch+washers&qid=1570728817&sr=8-1

I have these exact ones.  They work well. 

ICBM

RustySpanner said:

If I don't feel confident after fitting the washers, I'll bin the offending straps and go back to harder leather or plastic ended alternatives.

That sounds like a waste of some nice straps when there is a simple solution...

Try the Dunlop rotary locks, they’re only a couple of pounds. I’ve been using them on my gigging instruments for years with Levy’s straps, including a couple of quite valuable vintage Rickenbackers with the original tiny strap buttons, and they’re completely secure.

Adey

I use the Dunlop ones too. Good solution

JerkMoans

Whether they work or not is secondary to the refreshing pleasure derived from amassing one's collection.

*burp*