Your guitars need to be secured in place when playing live. Here’s to all the guitars we’ll be able to save by recommending the best guitar strap locks.
Best Guitar Strap Locks in the World | Best Guitar Strap Locks in the World Product Image | Product Title | *GEARANK | **Sources | Check Prices |
 | 94 | 28950+ | |||
 | 98 | 975+ | |||
 | 95 | 1450+ | |||
 | 93 | 1200+ | |||
 | 95 | 2600+ |
*Gearank = Rating score out of 100.
**Sources = Number of gear owner and user opinions analyzed for these product Gearank Ratings.
Research Process: How Gearank Works
Strap lock systems are often ignored because they seem trivial. In most situations, a regular guitar strap is enough to secure your instrument. But there are cases where guitar pins would slip out of the leather strap slots, and that’s bad news for the instrument and the gear or people who the guitar would hit.
If you jump and move around as you play, guitar straps alone can’t guarantee the security of your instrument. They mainly rely on the strap hole, which can snap off or become loose over time. Chances are, you’ve heard cautionary tales about leather guitar straps loosening up and damaging the guitar during a performance.
This is where strap locks come in handy. They are built to last and to prevent your guitar from unexpected falls. Most of all, it gives you peace of mind and the freedom to move around.
There’s no need for a hail mary and entrusting your guitar strap to secure itself. For all the guitarists who’d like to spin their guitars around or just plainly secure them in place, here are the best guitar strap locks that will ease your worries.
Best Guitar Strap Locks
Fender Strap Blocks
If you are considering the best strap locks that’s inexpensive and holds your guitar in place, the Fender Strap Blocks 0990819000 is a go-to solution. It serves as a block that prevents your guitar from slipping. The universal attachment fits any guitar button and there’s no special setup required.
Pros:
- Unintrusive design
- Adds extra security to a regular strap.
- Universal fit
- Not as precise and secure as a regular strap lock.
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The Fender Strap Blocks is a quick and easy solution for securing your guitar in place, with no modifications needed.
Out of the box, it comes with 2 pairs of fender strap locks–1 red and 1 black pair. Installing it is a breeze and it’s done by placing the strap blocks in front of the guitar strap.
Compared to the common Fender Infinity Strap Locks, there’s no need for any drilling or screwing the pin in place. It slips into any existing strap button, and it does a great job securing your guitar in place.
Of course, with its non-slip design, pulling out the strap locks would also take some effort. Also, since these strap blocks are more of a universal solution to any pins, you might need to adjust them a bit to secure them in place.
Fender’s strap blocks are an easy recommendation to any guitarist as they are an inexpensive solution and do the job with minimal setup.
- Rubber blocks hold your strap in place
- Just slip on over the strap peg
- No modification or drilling needed
Dunlop Straplok SLS1401N Guitar Strap Locks
It’s the best guitar strap lock system that features a 360º locking system that’s easy to attach or reattach. Once properly installed, you won’t have any issues with your guitar falling off. Whether you’re a regular performer or a flashy one, this long-lasting and resilient strap lock is good to have.
Pros:
- Handles movement well
- Simple to release and reattach
- Secure locking mechanism
- Tricky installation
- Lengthy strap pin
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The Dunlop SLS14001N is a strap-fitted lock that’s earned itself a decent following among that guitar community. Dunlop’s brand reputation plays a huge role here. However, many have dubbed it as the best strap lock for guitar due to its reliable design and mechanism.
One of its main selling points is its sturdy groove and ball design. It could go 360º without any issues of it getting stuck or breaking. It’s also battle-tested and could hold a weight of up to 800lbs. In addition, you can use it both as a regular strap button and with the strap lock feature.
This strap lock could withstand regular or acrobatic guitar playing, locking your guitar without the risk of coming off while performing. On the other hand, it’s easily detachable with just a thumb push.
The only pain you’ll have to undergo would be the installation. You need several tools like a drill and several screws to secure it. Some have reported that you need to bore out holes if the screw holes are too small. Another minor complaint about this strap lock is also its length. It might be too long for some, and it wouldn’t fit in their hard case anymore.
Overall, this strap lock is considered a classic among seasoned guitarists, and it won’t give up on you easily. I could easily recommend the Dunlop SLS14001N for guitarists and bassists alike.
- Secure Attachment ensures your guitar strap stays firmly in place, preventing accidental drops.
- Flush Mount Design provides a sleek, low-profile look by mounting internally.
- Durable Construction made from high-quality nickel for long-lasting performance.
- Easy Installation can be installed with basic tools, suitable for both amateurs and professionals
Ernie Ball P04600 Super Locks
The Ernie Ball P04600 Super Locks offers a unique two-finger pinching mechanism for secure attachment and easy detachment. With an audible click for added assurance, it stands out among the best strap locks for those seeking reliable performance with a user-friendly design.
Pros:
- Fit well with various strap thicknesses
- Secure internal mechanism
- Can be easily removed or attached with an audible click
- Intimidating installation process
- Especially if drilling is required
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Strap lock designs might look identical at first until you examine the nuances of their locking mechanism. The Ernie Ball P04600 Super Locks stands out due to its robust locking design, which attaches and detaches easily.
Compared to the Dunlop SLS1401N, Ernie Ball has a two-finger pinching mechanism that grabs onto the guitar strap buttons. I could compare it to a two-factor authentication but for unlocking a guitar.
There’s not much of a difference holding the guitar in place. However, the two buttons mean that it won’t unlock accidentally as you have to press it with your finger and thumb.
Another cool perk I liked about it is the audible click it has when attaching or detaching the lock.
Of course, for any intrusive guitar setups, comes the pain of the installation process. Installing this is by no means hard but it might require you to put a hole on your guitar. When in doubt, it’s better to get this installed by a professional luthier.
The Ernie Ball Super Locks P04600 earns its spot as one of the best strap locks for the guitar due to its function. This locking guitar strap is best for people who want a pinch-and-go mechanism.
- Securely lock your guitar onto your guitar strap
- 360-degree secure connection
- Sturdy nickel-plated steel
Dunlop Straplok Dual Design SLS1035VN Guitar Strap Locks
The Dunlop SLS1035VN offers a reliable 360-degree design with a wide flange button for added stability. Available in several colors, it’s a great choice for vintage-looking guitars. Great stability and security–play at any position, but it won’t fall off.
Pros:
- Blends well with vintage instruments
- Painless attachment
- Securely strapped for any position
- Drilling depends on the guitar type you have
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These guitar strap locks are another design option from Dunlop’s line of guitar accessories. They function the same way as the Strap Locks SLS1401N in terms of its key features. However, this one has a wide flange button design at the bottom for extra stability when attaching it to the guitar.
It also comes with a few color options like nickel, vintage nickel, black nickel, and gold. I find it especially fitting for guitars with vintage designs and the classic-looking one among the colors would be the vintage nickel.
The Dunlop SLS1035VN has received glowing reviews with its 360-degree design and its ability to hold your guitar in any position without the lock coming off. Despite being a single button, it does a great job of preventing accidental releases.
As with any other good strap locks, this might also require you to do some slight modifications. That seems to be the only disadvantage of this model.
Other than that, this is the best strap lock for aged-looking guitars but nothing’s preventing you from buying it for more modern designs as well.
- Durable, reliable 360-degree groove-and-ball design
- Tested at 800 lbs. of pull before releasing
- Includes 2 units for instrument and strap
- Wide flange button for extra security
Schaller S-Locks 14010401 Strap Locks
Known for their reliability and sleek design, these strap locks ensure your guitar strap stays secure during performances. Easy to install and featuring a smooth, pull-pin style system mechanism, they provide peace of mind for musicians seeking the best strap locks for guitar.
Pros:
- Accommodates thicker straps more easily
- Visually appealing
- Easy to attach the strap locks securely
- Long strap button; Can reach the floor with low-profile guitar stands
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Schaller strap locks have earned themselves a stellar reputation for their products. It’s no wonder the likes of Tom Morello, Billy Joe Armstrong, and John Frusciante swear by their reliability and design.
The Schaller S-Locks, unlike the previous designs, are quiet, elegant looking, and easy to install. Fresh from the box, you get two of each: strap buttons, locks, felt washers, and lock wheels.
What’s special about the locks is that, instead of using ball bearings, they have used a U-shaped, horseshoe design to surround the strap button. It spins with no issues, and the notch that clips onto the hole locks it in place with no risk of falling.
The pull-pin style system also makes it a breeze detaching the strap from the guitar.
One thing to be aware of would be that these expensive strap locks are long. Although its length hasn’t been specified, some users have reported that using a low-profile guitar stand might cause the strap button to hit the floor.
Most users have reported that it’s an easy install, just requiring you to screw the parts straightforwardly. It takes about 5 to 10 mins, and most of the process involves hand screwing then with tools to tighten them up.
Check out the Schaller S-Locks 14010401 if you want guitar strap locks with a proven track record. Cool, aesthetic design with great and robust features–it’s a must-have for any guitarist and bassist.
- Durable, reliable 360-degree groove-and-ball design
- Tested at 800 lbs. of pull before releasing
- Includes 2 units for instrument and strap
- Wide flange button for extra security
Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Guitar Strap Lock System
Compatibility
Most of the best strap locks on the market are universally compatible with any guitar. For the strap locks you’re going to encounter, chances are it’s a matter of screwing in the necessary parts onto the electric guitar or bass. However, just keep in mind that some existing strap button screw holes can be either slightly bigger or smaller than the strap lock you’re installing.
This could lead to horror stories you hear online about damaging or having loose threading on the guitar.
Another consideration would be the screw length. For the screw length, make sure that you follow the specs of the guitar or bass to avoid potential damage.
“Better yet, the best thing to do is to get your guitar strap lock installed by a luthier.”
Locking Mechanisms you Might Encounter
Strap locks’ main goal is to simply avoid accidental falls and to hold your guitar in place. It is more of an added feature, and is not a default part that you’ll normally see in a guitar parts diagram.
Categorizing guitar strap locks will always be flawed because the market is filled with different locking systems that claim to be the next revolutionary product. However, locking mechanisms offer slightly different advantages and disadvantages. This is by no means an exhaustive list but here are the 3 basic types:
Strap Block
This is the most affordable type of guitar strap lock and it doesn’t require any special tools such as a drill or a wrench. Strap blocks simply prevent your guitar strap from slipping out of the pin.
While most strap blocks do a great job of securing your guitar, it’s not really advisable for guitarists with “acrobatic skills.” This option is great for normal playing. However, this could potentially slip out if you spin around your guitar at every gig!
Groove-and-ball locking system
It’s by far the most well-known of all strap lock types. One notable feature of a “ball bearing” lock is its ability to go 360º. This means you can spin your guitar and it wouldn’t have any trouble holding your guitar in any position.
You have a ball bearing that clips onto the strap button. To release, it has a push button on top that latches off the strap pin. Some models, like the Fender Infinity Locks, have a 2-button, side-pinch system. As the name suggests, it just prevents accidental releases that a 1 button strap locks potentially has.
One thing you should be aware of: It can require some maintenance like lubricating the bearings.
Schaller S-Lock Type
Schaller is known to create the best guitar strap locks and it has a long track record of positive reviews. Schaller popularized the horseshoe-shaped strap lock pull-pin style system. The U-shaped lock also has a notch in the middle. This enables easier attachment and release with the added benefit of being able to play in any position.
Schaller’s lock design is often imitated by other brands but often falls short in terms of reliability. Some even swear by the idea that it’s probably the only strap lock type you’ll ever need.
Color and design options
With all the technical things out of the way, the best locking guitar strap often involves great color options that match your style. Some come with a vintage look while others are more modern colors and designs. As a rule of thumb, consider if the strap locks blend well with the design of your guitar.
Best Guitar Straps Selection Methodology
This guide was first published on September 17, 2024.
We first scoured the market for the most popular and top rated guitar strap locks. As usual, we filtered our initial list to good guitar strap locks that are readily available in the USA. For this edition, we ended up gathering over 44,400 ratings and reviews, which we then fed into the Gearank Algorithm. This process gave us the rating scores our of 100 that we used to narrow down our original shortlist to the best guitar straps recommendation you can see above. For more information about our methods see How Gearank Works.
About the Author and Contributors
Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide’s production – click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.
Lead Author & Researcher
Contributors
Alexander Briones: Editing/Supplementary Writing
Jerry Borillo: Illustration/Product Research
Media / Image Credit
Main/Top Image: Created by Gearank.com using a public domain photograph.
The videos have been embedded in accordance with YouTube’s Terms of Service.
The individual product images were sourced from their respective manufacturers’ websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation.
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