Best guitar straplocks in 2023

Using our selection of the best guitar straplocks, protect your six-string.

If you play guitar, you are probably familiar with the mishap of your guitar strap coming undone during a performance or jam session. You have undoubtedly had the experience, and you are well aware of how uncomfortable it is if it occurs during a performance or in the middle of a traffic jam. When you are in the middle of playing your favorite song and are looking forward to your next impactful chord or lick, the guitar falls off. It is annoying enough to make you want to stop playing your instrument and leave the jam session or performance.

For some people, it might not be all that provocative. You know, some folks are laid back. They have self-control and can relax. But even for them, isn’t the instrument’s security not the most important thing? In other words, your instrument is on the line. You have been saving up for your favorite, ideal instrument for all those months. And after all that time and effort, are you still willing to accept harm to your baby JUST because the strap came undone? It is not possible. Common sense dictates that the more time, money, or effort invested in something, the more crucial it is.

Now, some straps have built-in locks, but the problem with them is that they only come in a limited number of designs. The straps that guitarists wear are typically very important to them. They want their guitar strap, genre, and body language to all communicate in the same language. So you can find a strap with built-in locks if you’re willing to compromise on the strap’s design. However, the main issue with these straps is their exorbitant price! Why would you spend ten times as much on a strap that isn’t even your favorite design just to get a lock that normally costs $15 to $30 extra? Just purchase a lock separately instead. By doing it this way, you will spend significantly less money and won’t have to sacrifice the strap’s aesthetic.

product review: guitar straplocks

Once you’ve decided that a separate guitar strap lock is necessary, you’ll want to know which of the available solutions is the best. The following list is created specifically to provide an answer to that question. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the top online guitar strap locks. The “best” is decided by elements like cost, value, suitability, and design.

1. Eison Guitar Strap Locks

Guitar strap locks made by Eisen Strap Locks are strong and extremely affordable. Do not panic if you are unfamiliar with the brand; you will like trying them out because of their outstanding quality. Even if you don’t, you can always get another one because it is so reasonably priced
 The Schaller S Locks system is extremely comparable to this one. This lock is similarly made of two pieces: the lock that fixes over the strap button and the button with the screw. Therefore, you must remove the stock strap button and insert the screw into that opening.

The screw’s size and form are such that it will naturally fit in; drilling is not necessary. You then clamp the lock over it after that is finished. The locking pin mechanism is a push-release system, and it is very straightforward. However, releasing the strap might be a challenge. The lock is not that easy to engage and is not that smooth.

Eisen Strap Locks is not a beautiful place. Their product is high quality and works well but it is only available in 2 colors – black and nickel. They focus on functionality and durability more than looks and that is probably why it is fairly priced, too. Eisen Strap Locks also sells strap buttons separately and at an incredibly low price, which is another benefit of purchasing this lock. Therefore, you wouldn’t need to purchase a new strap lock if your strap button gets damaged or if you want to use the same strap locks on several guitars. Simply purchase a new strap button, and you’re good to go!

2. Jim Dunlop Straplok

The Jim Dunlop StrapLok Strap Retainers Dual Design (SLS1031N) have established a longstanding reputation for quality and dependability, much like the Schaller S-Locks.

However, whereas Schaller’s locks operate on a pull-pin system, these have a button-style release, making them slightly more difficult to put on and take off but less likely to release accidentally. The guitar won’t fit as well inside a tight hard case with the strap on because button-style locks sit quite far off the instrument. Despite this, Jim Dunlop’s strap locks are an excellent option and a great substitute for Schaller S-Locks, especially given their lower price.

3. Ernie Ball Super Locks

The fantastic release mechanism of this lock is its best feature, making it the top priority for many musicians. Though quite straightforward, it offers nothing new. The sides of the lock have a button-like feature. Simply unlocks when you press the two sides together. That pretty about sums it up. This unlocking technique has probably been in use since since mankind began.

It requires zero intelligence, zero effort, and zero time. Because the side buttons are slightly curved and angled toward the inside, you can do it without even looking at them. As soon as you touch it, you will know you are about to press the correct parts. And this is also how it locks. Additionally, this approach makes it extremely unlikely that you may unintentionally open it. No, it’s not going to happen. Pressing must occur simultaneously on both sides. Simply said, amazing design!

4. D’Addario Accessories Universal Strap Lock

Even though D’Addario is hardly a newbie to the market, their PW-SLS-02 Universal Strap Locks are one of the more recent products to hit the shelves. They were introduced in 2018, and since then have grown significantly, fiercely challenging the products of Schaller and Jim Dunlop. And with good reason. D’Addario was mindful of this when designing their locks, which operate on a pull-pin style system and have a short profile that sits very neatly alongside your guitar body.

The draw pin of D’Addario’s locks is situated on a large button, which is a crucial design element. This has potential for both good and bad. Positively, the bigger surface area is easier to grip, which is helpful when mounting and dismounting the locks. On the down side, there is a greater possibility that the locks will catch on something. However, this is only a problem in the worst-case scenario, and the PW-SLS-02 Universal Strap Locks are typically a good and sensible solution.

5. Fender Straplock

Strap locks are produced in-house by Fender. It’s news that! We won’t even discuss the reliability and high quality of them. It is Fender; need I say more? Let’s simply get right to the design. Therefore, they use a strap lock mechanism that is very similar to Dunlop’s. The strap button and the locking pin are its two component pieces. You remove your stock strap buttons, thread the nut through the rubber washer on the Fender strap button, and screw it in. The first half of the process is already complete.

As is customary, the strap goes on the other end. It will have a circular pull button on one end and a sort of hollow on the other. Through the strap hole, insert the end with the rounded pull button. Place the washer over the rounded button next, followed by the bolt that will automatically tighten. Once this is secured, press the hollow side of the strap button against the guitar body. Both components will clasp and secure to one another. The Fender strap lock locks in this manner.

6. D’Addario Instrument Guitar Strap Locks

The D’Addario Dual-Lock Strap Locks are the easiest to use, despite the fact that the majority of the strap locks in this article are rather straightforward to install. They’re the ideal option for folks who don’t want to fuss with changing buttons and threading bolts through their straps because of its slide-on/slide-off, clip-style system.

Obviously, you shouldn’t expect these plastic clips that slip over the top of your strap to be as strong or trustworthy as, say, Shaller or Ernie Ball locks – but, unless you’re doing concerts a la The Dillinger Escape Plan, they should work just fine. These strap locks are a lot more reasonable than almost everything else available and can even secure your guitar cord at the same time, so they are definitely worth a look if you don’t want to spend a lot of money. However, peace of mind is worth paying for when we’re talking about valuable assets.

7. Stagg SSL1 BK

You’re in luck if you like the way the Schaller S-Locks look but want a less expensive substitute. The SSL1 BK strap locks from Stagg are essentially a less expensive version of the S-Locks and are among the most cost-effective steel locks available at roughly $14 or £10 per pair.

Although they are a good option and will essentially do what you need them to, the reduced price does come with a few compromises. First of all, because of their significantly shorter thread, these strap locks cannot be used with heavy straps. You’ll need to keep an eye on them and tighten them occasionally because they also rely on a nut-and-washer system to keep them attached to the strap. However, the Stagg SSL1 BKs are unquestionably ones to take into consideration given that you could purchase almost three sets of these for the price of one set of steel locks from another brand.

8. Schaller S-Locks

You will discover that Schaller S Locks items are consistently the top of the line and the ideal option whenever you start looking for guitar strap locks, and that is actually true. Schaller S Locks produces the highest-quality guitar strap locks. Nobody even comes close to matching them. Although they are pricey, their products are dependable, of the highest caliber, long-lasting, and A-class. That is, after all, how premium goods are sold. highest in both quality and cost.

Its functionality is equally as important as its quality. A locking screw and a threaded ring intended for attachment to the strap make up the lock’s construction. They lock into each other like a horseshoe when you fit them, and you also hear an affirmative sound. That is how the machine is responding to you and is commonly referred to as the feedback. As soon as you hear the lock sound, you can be sure the lock is in place and won’t move until you decide to unlock it. How is it detached? You turn the handle.

How do the guitar strap locks function?

Guitar strap locks, as you’ve undoubtedly realised by now, are intended to more securely fasten a guitar strap to a guitar than normal strap buttons.

The type you select will determine how they operate. The majority of them, like the traditional Schaller S-Locks or the Jim Dunlop StrapLok Strap Retainers Dual Design, will be fixed through your strap and call for you to swap out your current buttons for the locking system’s buttons. The D’Addario Dual-Lock Strap Locks and the Fender Strap Blocks, however, go over the top of your strap and button, allowing you to keep everything exactly as it is.

What to take into account while purchasing the best strap locks

When purchasing strap locks, the most important things to think about are how secure you’ll need them to be. Will you be moving about a lot or will you be sitting down most of the time? and the level of effort you want to put into attaching them. You might need to re-drill the screw holes to accommodate the new buttons, depending on your present setup. Buttons that are compatible with strap locks can typically be added in place of your current ones by simply removing your old ones. Before beginning any work, make sure the screw gauges are in agreement to prevent accidentally injuring your guitar by trying to force longer or thicker screws into place.

The profile of the systems and the desired release type are additional factors to take into account. After assembling all the components, some systems turn out to be rather lengthy. The D’Addario PW-SLS-02 Universal Strap Locks and the Loxx Strap Lock Set for Electric Guitar & Bass are likely your best options if you’re looking for something more portable.

conclusion

Usability is the most crucial factor to take into account when purchasing a strap lock for your guitar. The lock and release mechanisms ought to be simple and quick, taking no more than a few seconds. Durability is the second most crucial criterion after usefulness. Choose a lock that has been tested to withstand heavier loads than it was designed to. Because what is the point of purchasing a lock in the first place if it malfunctions? Finally, you should search for a strap with an attractive design. Not every strap lock will complement the style of your guitar and strap.