Tips for Attaching Guitar Straps to PRS Core Guitars?

[László]

I'll be the contrarian.

"That's nothing new."

"You're right."
I like the PRS strap buttons and hate strap locks. The damn things rattle, they ding the guitar, they break. They're useless items that most PRS players will never need unless they're doing gymnastics on stage.

The newer PRS strap buttons are rounder on top and significantly easier to get a strap onto. A well cut strap buttonhole means the strap is on there as long as you like, and there's no unscrewing the button needed at all.

If I had to unscrew and screw a strap button, I'd feel screwed. Seriously, permanently leaving a leather or plastic strap on a nitro finish is not a great idea, unless you take it off when done playing. And that shouldn't involve a screwdriver.

"I'd rather be doing my screwing a different way."

"You mean, like practicing law?"

"I stopped doing that 34 years ago when I got into the music business. Now THAT was a screwy decision. People thought I was nuts and I can't argue with them."

I like the UK Heistercamp straps for most things. They have a PRS button option now; I used to have them cut a 1" button hole because I measured one of the PRS straps. 'Most me' leathers I've ever had on a strap, and that's saying something because I'm really fussy about leather goods. With the Heistercamp, the 'super soft' leather works best - the other stuff is too stiff and fat to use with the PRS button.

"Too stiff and fat, huh? TWSS. Maybe she wasn't talking about straps."

"You realize there's another joke in there, right, Antoninus?"

"It has been so argued, Master."

The German company Richter will also cut a strap button any length. Both of mine have 1" strap button slits. They go on my PRS buttons easily.

Any custom strap maker will do the same.

The Heistercamp straps are sort of a traditional English bridle leather; the Richters I have are Nappa leather, which has a different 'hand' than bridle leather. Both are fantastic. You can get both padded.

But look, it's REALLY, REALLY simple to extend the buttonhole a little bit if that's what you need to do with your favorite strap! If you can't bear to do it with an X-Acto knife, any shoe repair person can, and it will look professionally done.

 

[jkornel]

PRS actually did change the strap buttons. They made them stick out a little more from the body than what they used to.


I am another Schaller guy, with a clarification. I like the old style that Fender now owns. I use the stock longer PRS screw with them. I have been using these strap locks for decades and have only ever had one minor issue with one of them and it wasn't an issue that would have caused the guitar to drop. The pull part on the strap side kept unscrewing a little so you had to screw it back on. I finally put a little Loctite on it and that fixed it. One key to using these is to use a 13mm box end wrench and tighten the part on the strap with that. Mine never come loose.

I am NOT a fan of the new Schaller locks where the screw is integrated into the button. I have a new set of those around here somewhere that I got by accident. I will never use them.

WOW I didn't know that Fender owns that design now! I totally prefer those old style Schallers over the new ones. I'll be looking to switch to those fender ones now! THANKS

 

[watelessness]

the secret is to replace the stock buttons with Dunlop or Schaler strap locks

 

[aphantomvaper]

After some use and exercise the strap will slide on there just fine. The PRS buttons are fantastic, the strap just needs some conditioning to become familiar with the awesome PRS style.

 

[show_a_little_faith]

Thicker straps can be tricky, I've found taking off the button and adding a felt washer underneath gives a little extra height and makes it much easier to put on and take off (don't leave leather on nitro!)

Strap Button Felt Washers 10 pack

Luthier tools and guitar building parts for domestic and import. You will find knobs, bridges, tailpieces, pickguards, inlays, speciality files, saws

www.philadelphialuthiertools.com

 

[GeorgioSC]

I really don’t care for the core strap button design. I actually prefer the strap buttons on the SE guitars. They are still plenty wide to prevent the strap from coming off, but don’t require cutting your strap ends or unscrewing the buttons to attach/detach a strap.

Unfortunately, I haven’t found the SE buttons for sale separately.

The closest thing I’ve found are the oversized buttons from Warmouth. They are very similar. You can get the strap attached with minimal struggle, but they stay put and I have no worries about dropping my guitars. I’m a new member here, so I can’t post a link, but they’re easy to find if you search for them.

I have them installed on my core PRS guitars.

https://imgur.com/a/cSbUDgd

 

[Bogner]

Schallers Are The Answer For Me.

 

[Black Plaid]

PRS recently (last few years) switched to much easier to use strap buttons. If you want to keep things OEM, you can buy a set from them. Just remember to keep the old ones, cause they are super cool, even if they are really just string trees from a fender bass.

 

[Birdsofprey]

^ Derived from yes, but not identical as I looked into that when I couldn’t find any og sets from dealers. Fender bass string trees have slot under the face for the strings to ride in. Doubt it would wreak a strap but enough to make me pass.

 

[Black Plaid]

^ Derived from yes, but not identical as I looked into that when I couldn’t find any og sets from dealers. Fender bass string trees have slot under the face for the strings to ride in. Doubt it would wreak a strap but enough to make me pass.

It seems like some do, and some don't.

Pure Vintage Bass String Guide | Parts

Pure Vintage Bass String Guide, Gold

www.fender.com

There aren't any slots shown in that one, it looks like some listings on Amazon also have them without the string slots.

 

[Birdsofprey]

I’ll take another look and that would certainly fill the need I have for the OG strap buttons. It’s amazing how many dealers I reached out to didn’t have any of the old style laying around for purchase. Thanks for the info! Ken

 

[Fro]

Fender doesn’t own the old style Scaller straplocks. They just make there own version now that the patent has expired on the old style Schallers.

 

[sick pickle]

Schaller locks failed on my Gibson Les Paul. Slammed headstock first onto the garage floor. I will never buy Schaller's ever again. The PRS strap button seems absolutely perfect for me.

 

[Bogner]

Schaller locks failed on my Gibson Les Paul. Slammed headstock first onto the garage floor. I will never buy Schaller's ever again. The PRS strap button seems absolutely perfect for me.

You Should be Thankful, You Guitar Became A Relic/Aged Masterpiece And Just Doubled In Price. (Hangs Head In Shame) Sorry That Happened To You.

 

[JasonE]

Fender doesn’t own the old style Scaller straplocks. They just make there own version now that the patent has expired on the old style Schallers.

They are almost identical. I did have a slight issue with getting parts from Schaller's mixed in with Fender locks. I am trying to remember what the exact issue was. It was at least a year ago so it is probably gone.

All Parts used to sell the components for these locks too. You could buy just the buttons or the part that goes on the strap if you wanted to just have more buttons for more guitars and only one strap. I remember buying full sets from them as well.

I feel like these are one of the best, simple, design locks made. I have seen a couple of mistakes others have had installing them. I saw one gut that put the piece on the strap upside down. I had to explain to him that the part on the strap has a horseshoe design to hold the weight of the guitar in and that way if the pin didn't engage for some reason the guitar would still be supported. The biggest issue I have seen is people not using a wrench to tighten the nut on the part in the strap. If you don't do that, it will loosen over time and if you don't notice it a bad day will be in the near future. I have heard some people say they don't like them because they rattle. I have to wonder how these people are playing their guitar. When I am standing up and the weight of the guitar is on the strap there is no rattle. I even used to throw the guitar around my body in my younger years. It is amazing the things we all come up with in the name of putting on a good show.

 

[Fro]

I also never has a problem with the old style Schallers. The threads were a bit short. My trick for installing on thicker straps was to sandwich the strap between a couple of nickels and smash it down real good with a pair of pliers before installing the straplocks.

 

[Fringbird]

Surprised no one uses DiMarzio ClipLocks. They are hard to quit using once you start. True piece of mind.

 

[GADonis]

Of course, they wouldn't sell as many PRS straps if they did! i.e., I have owned some, they are certainly very well made straps, but the size of the strap holes were definitley part of my decision.

Right now, I have a nice soft leather Red Monkey "Blackmore" strap on my S2 that fits on easily. Also, with a little bit of "stretching", Walker and Williams usually fit.

I have several PRS straps. And it is still a major PIA to get them over the PRS strap buttons.

 

[sick pickle]

I actually went to buy a package of PRS strap buttons and I got a set…. and I realize these are not at all the same that’s on my CE 24 or DGT. Why are they different? How come you get the same ones that are on my CE 24?

 

[Birdsofprey]

^ What year is your CE24? They (PRS) changed the formula and I’m not drinking it!