About change the R8's strap buttons

[johnmayer]

Hi,all
I want to change my R8's strap buttons, how about the Dunlop Straplok System(Dunlop Straplok System at Stewart-MacDonald)? or Schaller Strap Security Locks(Schaller Strap Security Locks at Stewart-MacDonald)? Which strap buttons should I choice? Please give me some advice.
Thanks all!

[Boleskinehouse]

Been using Schallers since I started playing and they've never failed. Dunlops I really have no idea, because I've never tried them. I see no reason to.

[myspace.com/jessenoah]

I have used both, I think the schallers are better because of the design, they are easier to snap on, have a built in fail-safe feature where if the button comes unlocked, the guitar wont fall to the floor, and look better too imo!

[decoy205]

schallers. The screw size is different then the stock LP screws. You'll have to either compensate by using a filler with the schaller screw, like wooden match or toothpick. Or you can shave down the gibson screw head to fit into the schaller.

[Lespaul59]

+1 for the Schallers.

I'd recommend you use some felt washers to make sure you don't damage your guitar.
Strap Button Felt Washers at Stewart-MacDonald

[JM Vasek]

Schallers without a doubt. I wouldn't trust my guitars to anything else.

[R9.]

I also use Schaller's. Just don't expect the stock Gibson screw to fit in the Schaller strap pin and don't expect the smaller Schaller screw to fit in the hole.

[GibsonByBirth]

I had an issue with the screw size on the schaller. I had to use a wooden dow and super glue. Still I perfer the schaller. Once you become use to unattaching them they work well. Attaching is a breeze and it makes a clicking sound when it is attached. Dunlop tend to come of a little too easily. It just takes pushing in a button. The schaller takes pulling out a stem.

[banditguitarist1]

Schallers all the way never had a problem with them and I have them on all my guitars.

[stinger]

I use Schallers. Make sure you also tighten the nut on the strap!

[Martin60]

I also have schallers on my main guitars! And they work and have never failed me. Plus they are cheaper then Dunlop in Denmark - And Dunlops design doesn't seem as safe as Schallers.

[johnmayer]

Thanks all, It seems that all of you used the schallers. But I feel the button of the DUNLOP mroe like the R8 used now and I saw the GIBSON 2008 was used the Dunlop button in the gibson WEB. So I think maybe the Dunlop adapt to the gibson than schallers? Then is the DUNLOP's screw fit the originally holl of the R8's? I know the screw of schallers is small than R8's strap button screw from your talking, I am sorry for this, because I'm worry that I'll hurt my guitar through the process of change strap button. It seems so illogicality for me, how can I do? Hehe
Thanks all again.

[dennistruckdriver]

Originally Posted by johnmayer

....It seems that all of you used the schallers. But I feel the button of the DUNLOP mroe like the R8 used now and I saw the GIBSON 2008 was used the Dunlop button in the gibson WEB. So I think maybe the Dunlop adapt to the gibson than schallers? Then is the DUNLOP's screw fit the originally holl of the R8's? I know the screw of schallers is small than R8's strap button screw from your talking, I am sorry for this, because I'm worry that I'll hurt my guitar through the process of change strap button. It seems so illogicality for me, how can I do? Hehe
Thanks all again.

?

[R9.]

You can't hurt a piece of wood.

[dennistruckdriver]

You understood that?

[JM Vasek]

All your Schallers are belong to us.

[R8R6Ben]

I like schallers.

[Badcard]

I use both systems on different guitars.

The dunlop is not a bad system, but I wouldn't use it on a LP simply because of the angle of the top button in the playing position.

But for an SG, it's a much better choice because you do not have the angle problem and you do not have the stem of the schaller poking you in the gut!

If you're concerned about the screws, just get an extra pair of standard gibson screws and file the head so it will fit the schaller buttons. (put the screw in a electric drill and spin it against a file.)

[Slapjaw]

I use Dunlops, on all my guitars. Never any problems. Your choice.

[Danelectro]

The stock screw on the end strap button of a Les Paul is an #8 x 1-1/2" flat head screw. The screw that comes with the Schaller straplock is a smaller #6 x 1-1/2" flathead. Some people swear that poking toothpicks inside of the hole and using the smaller screw works perfectly fine. Maybe it does, but personally, I don't want to rely on toothpicks to keep a $4000 Les Paul from crashing to the floor, so I drill out the Schaller buttons to allow for the larger #8 screw to be used. Here's how to modify the buttons:

The hole in the Schaller button is too small for the body of the #8 screw to pass through, and the counterbore is also too small for the head of the screw. The first thing is to drill out the hole in the straplock button to 11/64". This allows the screw body to pass through. Rather than drill the button's counterbore larger, I cut down the head of the screw. I modified screws that I picked up at the hardware store rather than the originals so that I can restore the guitar to its original state in the future. To cut down the head, I chuck the screw in a drill press, then grind down the head diameter with a Dremel tool while the part is spinning. You can accomplish the same thing by chucking the screw in a hand drill and reducing the head diameter a bench grinder. Its a 5 minute modification and when I'm done I can feel confident that my straplock buttons are mounted as solid as a rock.

[970harris]

I could be way oversimplifying here, but after a couple of situations where the strap on my R8 slipped off the stock buttons (no damage done), I just got some oversized buttons from my local tech. I did need to drill them out a little to make them fit the stock screws (a la what decoy265 and Danelectro say you have to do for the Schallers).

I haven't had any issue with my strap coming off since. Nevertheless, I did recently go out a buy a 6-pack of Grolsch (as Bobo ingeniously suggested a while back) and am using the rubber washers off the bottle tops as a little extra insurance around each button, on top of the strap.

[ModTourMan]

I like Schallers...one thing I always do is add a SMALL drop of Loctite to the threads were the nut attaches to your strap. A wooden toothpick and a touch of wood glue secures the system to the Les Pauls body.

[Exluthier]

I put dunlops on everything and have never had a problem.

[GibsonByBirth]

Originally Posted by Exluthier

I put dunlops on everything and have never had a problem.

Yet, but accidently bump that button. However, you can't accidently pull a pin.

[Exluthier]

That button is awfully hard to accidentally press.

[GibsonByBirth]

The pin is IMPOSSIBLE to accidently pull.

[River]

Rubber washers like used to come on Grolsch bottles (I can't find those bottles anymore). If you leave your strap on, I find them ideal.

[weirdotis]

Schallers for me... and they don't look cheap like the dunlops do (imo).

[thepassivevoice]

Originally Posted by River

Rubber washers like used to come on Grolsch bottles (I can't find those bottles anymore).

They don't seem to use those re-sealable stoppers in the Grolsch bottles now sold in supermarkets, but many liquor stores still sell the old-style bottles individually. There's also a French beer/ale that is sold in bottles with similar rubber washers, but I can't recall the name.