Strap locks on a Custom Shop Les Paul?

[lolballs]

@sozo It's been a while since this post but I'm the same boat as you. Looks like you got a lot of replies that totally missed the point.

I've got a '21 LP Custom with a larger screw at the bottom of the guitar and a smaller one up top. Did you sort out how to use Schallers without having to drill your guitar, go 3rd party, or use some goofbutt rubber disc?

 

[sozo]

@sozo It's been a while since this post but I'm the same boat as you. Looks like you got a lot of replies that totally missed the point.

I've got a '21 LP Custom with a larger screw at the bottom of the guitar and a smaller one up top. Did you sort out how to use Schallers without having to drill your guitar, go 3rd party, or use some goofbutt rubber disc?

I discovered that although the Schaller strap locks you buy over the counter from guitar shops are much shorter than the R9 screw, Schaller’s website offers the strap pins in three lengths, S, M, L. M is the default length you buy with the strap locks. The L screws are long enough. I fitted those. I didn’t drill out the guitar, just used a little wax on the screw and drove it home.

 

[sozo]

…I always have my left hand under the neck just in case. If I am doing something where I need both hands I should have taken the guitar off and put it on the stand or in the case in the first place. If playing a 2 hour gig the rubber washer things work fine. But then I've broken two headstocks, so don't listen to me.

I also keep one hand on the neck just in case. I’ve seen photos of Jimmy Page from his Zeppelin days where he’s got one hand on an Echoplex and the other is waving around in front of a Theremin,1959 Les Paul dangling free. That would make me very nervous lol. But I’ve never heard that his ‘59 ever had a broken headstock so I guess it was never a problem for him. Wonder how the strap was secured.

 

[lolballs]

I discovered that although the Schaller strap locks you buy over the counter from guitar shops are much shorter than the R9 screw, Schaller’s website offers the strap pins in three lengths, S, M, L. M is the default length you buy with the strap locks. The L screws are long enough. I fitted those. I didn’t drill out the guitar, just used a little wax on the screw and drove it home.

Cheers. It's really unfortunate that Schaller changed the design to the current one piece screw/pin -- ever since then, I've found that they bind up against the strap-side machine and on one guitar, the binding was so bad that the lock was actually unscrewing the pin from the body.

In case anyone in the future finds this thread, here's your link to the solution (working in Nov. 2024):

Buttons L for S-Locks | 2407

Buttons size L: 27 mm thread length for S-Locks Scope of supply 2 x buttons size L (4.5 x 27 mm) including felt washers (Please use the configurator . You will then receive the desired product in that selected color.) Special The S-Locks "Silent Feat…

schaller.info

 

[sozo]

Cheers. It's really unfortunate that Schaller changed the design to the current one piece screw/pin -- ever since then, I've found that they bind up against the strap-side machine and on one guitar, the binding was so bad that the lock was actually unscrewing the pin from the body.

In case anyone in the future finds this thread, here's your link to the solution (working in Nov. 2024):

Buttons L for S-Locks | 2407

Buttons size L: 27 mm thread length for S-Locks Scope of supply 2 x buttons size L (4.5 x 27 mm) including felt washers (Please use the configurator . You will then receive the desired product in that selected color.) Special The S-Locks "Silent Feat…

schaller.info

Thanks for posting that link. Browsing their site again I’ve just discovered that you can still get the old style lock buttons from Schaller directly, they call them “S Lock Classic” https://schaller.info/en/buttons-for-s-lock-classic/2409

 

[lolballs]

Thanks for posting that link. Browsing their site again I’ve just discovered that you can still get the old style lock buttons from Schaller directly, they call them “S Lock Classic” https://schaller.info/en/buttons-for-s-lock-classic/2409

 

[sozo]

I also keep one hand on the neck just in case. I’ve seen photos of Jimmy Page from his Zeppelin days where he’s got one hand on an Echoplex and the other is waving around in front of a Theremin,1959 Les Paul dangling free. That would make me very nervous lol. But I’ve never heard that his ‘59 ever had a broken headstock so I guess it was never a problem for him. Wonder how the strap was secured.

A picture to illustrate the point - now there’s a man who trusts his guitar strap. I wonder if it was screwed to the body?

 

[Happy Tree]

Yeah I found the Schallers being unscrewed by strap movement. I suspect my own solution of supergluing the screws in will not be universally popular :-D

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

I just swapped out the strap lock screw with a proper sized one from the hardware store. Problem solved.

 

[sozo]

I just swapped out the strap lock screw with a proper sized one from the hardware store. Problem solved.

That can work, but first you need an old type Schaller strap pin (available from their website), the ones supplied with a set from guitar stores these days have a screw/pin as one unit, so you can’t use your own screw. Then you need a screw that’s long enough and wide enough to be a suitable replacement for the Custom Shop screw, but also has a head narrow enough and flat enough to fit inside the old style Schaller strap pin. I couldn’t find one.

 

[sozo]

Yeah I found the Schallers being unscrewed by strap movement. I suspect my own solution of supergluing the screws in will not be universally popular :-D

I’ve used superglue on a guitar before now, a luthier I took it too was horrified lol

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

That can work, but first you need an old type Schaller strap pin (available from their website), the ones supplied with a set from guitar stores these days have a screw/pin as one unit, so you can’t use your own screw. Then you need a screw that’s long enough and wide enough to be a suitable replacement for the Custom Shop screw, but also has a head narrow enough and flat enough to fit inside the old style Schaller strap pin. I couldn’t find one.

Yeap. I forgot about that issue with the new ones.

 

[GreenBurst]

Here's another great solution.

I've been using these Dunlop strap lock discs for over ten years on CS Les Pauls and every other guitar including a double neck. I have a set in every guitar case. No fussing around with screws or strap pins. Just put on after the strap and turn the disc to lock. Reverse to remove.

Never had any issues. Every once in a while I check to make sure the strap pin screws are tight.

I buy these at various local guitar stores for $1.25 each. I always have extras on-hand in case I lose one. Never broke one.

LOK STRAP STRAP RETAINER SYSTEM SET OF 3

From picks to pedals and every accessory in between, Dunlop Manufacturing has been creating world-class gear for musicians for over 50 years. We consistently create the best selling picks and analog electronics, and carry a large line of accessories that set industry standards in their...

www.jimdunlop.com

 

[jb_abides]

I use the aforementioned "goofbutt" rubber disc, AKA Grolsch gaskets.

 

[lolballs]

I just swapped out the strap lock screw with a proper sized one from the hardware store. Problem solved.

I tried using the original Gibson screw with the old-style Schaller pin but the head was too wide. The screw head has to fit down inside the pin or the locking mechanism can't latch. I also considered turning down the factory screw head so it'd fit the recess but decided to just purchase the large-screw Schaller pin instead. My current setup uses 1 large-screw pin for the bottom and one medium-screw pin for the top. The only down side is that the large-screw pins are sold in pairs, so now I need another LPC.

 

[lolballs]

Here's another great solution.

I've been using these Dunlop strap lock discs for over ten years on CS Les Pauls and every other guitar including a double neck. I have a set in every guitar case. No fussing around with screws or strap pins. Just put on after the strap and turn the disc to lock. Reverse to remove.

Never had any issues. Every once in a while I check to make sure the strap pin screws are tight.

I buy these at various local guitar stores for $1.25 each. I always have extras on-hand in case I lose one. Never broke one.

LOK STRAP STRAP RETAINER SYSTEM SET OF 3

From picks to pedals and every accessory in between, Dunlop Manufacturing has been creating world-class gear for musicians for over 50 years. We consistently create the best selling picks and analog electronics, and carry a large line of accessories that set industry standards in their...

www.jimdunlop.com

This discussion is about Schaller strap locks, not Dunlop.

 

[lolballs]

I use the aforementioned "goofbutt" rubber disc, AKA Grolsch gaskets.

This discussion is about Schaller strap locks, not Grolsch gaskets (awesome beer, though).

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

I tried using the original Gibson screw with the old-style Schaller pin but the head was too wide. The screw head has to fit down inside the pin or the locking mechanism can't latch. I also considered turning down the factory screw head so it'd fit the recess but decided to just purchase the large-screw Schaller pin instead. My current setup uses 1 large-screw pin for the bottom and one medium-screw pin for the top. The only down side is that the large-screw pins are sold in pairs, so now I need another LPC.

If you have a wife, then I am sure she'll understand.

 

[GreenBurst]

This discussion is about Schaller strap locks, not Dunlop.

Yes, and now those readers still struggling with Schaller strap locks have both a Dunlop and "Grolsch" solution option that eliminates their problem.

It's all good.

 

[Wilko]

This discussion is about Schaller strap locks, not Dunlop.

"Can anyone with a Custom Shop Rx Les Paul let us know what strap lock system you use (if any?)."

Funny, I don't see the word "schaller" here.