There are countless tales of guitars falling off straps, from those who've purchased their first-ever guitar to others who've done significantly more financial damage to a custom shop Gibson. How do you avoid becoming part of the guitar-dinging community? By getting a set of the best strap locks of course.
Strap locks replace your existing strap pins and provide a locking mechanism to keep your strap in place. This reduces the chance of your guitar falling off to pretty much zero, and looks way neater - albeit much less punk - than duct-taping your strap to your guitar. Loads of live players use them, and they're definitely useful for home guitarists too, ensuring no nasty accidents with your pride and joy.
Most strap locks are universal, but we've picked out a variety that are well suited to particular types of guitars, as well as some budget options. If you're installing a set of strap locks for the first time, go have a look at our FAQs section where we explain how to do it, particularly useful for acoustic guitarists who might need to modify their instruments.
Best guitar strap locks: Product guide
Material: Hardened steel
Finishes: Chrome, Satin Chrome, Black Chrome, Nickel, Ruthenium, Gold, Copper, Satin Pearl
Style: Strap-fitted
+ High-quality build
+ Suitable for thicker straps
+ Range of finishes
- They’re a bit predictable
Schaller is perhaps the most famous and well-used strap lock manufacturer out there. Alongside Jim Dunlop, the German company is one of the earliest innovators in this field, having first developed its product in 1981.
Working on a pull-pin-style system, S-Locks are easy to take off when need be, but sit firmly enough that you don’t have to worry about any accidents.
Their extra-long threads make them more suitable for thicker straps than any other product on this list. And these guys are also pretty easy to install, with the button and screw coming as a set piece that you can just screw into place with an allen key.
Material: Rubber
Finishes: Black, Red
Style: Block
+ Affordable
+ Very easy to install
+ Limited colour range
- Not as secure as their steel counterparts
If you’re planning on taking your guitar strap on and off a lot, and you aren’t an acrobatic performer, then you might want to consider Fender’s Strap Blocks. With their rubber build, they’re unassuming to look at, but they’re actually pretty effective.
Of course, you shouldn’t expect the same level of quality that you’ll get with other locks further up this list, but these guys are a great no-fuss, tried-and-tested option.
They slide over the top of your strap and button and can be attached to your guitar in a matter of minutes. As they’re made of stiff rubber, it does take a little bit of effort to get them on, but that’s kind of reassuring.
Material: Steel
Finishes: Chrome, Nickel, Black Chrome, Gold, Antique Copper, Antique Brass, Skull Gunmetal/Black, Victorian, Black Victorian, Henry and Mary
Style: Strap-fitted
+ Low-profile button
+ Easy to install
+ Unique and effective fastening system
- Can only be fixed with the provided tool
Schaller and Jim Dunlop could justifiably describe themselves as the ‘big two’ of the strap lock world at the moment – however, if this set is anything to go by, German firm Loxx could soon be joining them.
Based on mechanisms designed for the auto industry, the Loxx Strap Lock System works for electric, acoustic, and bass guitars. It comprises low-profile pull-pin systems that are neatly cased in smart little buttons. They’re easy off and on, but unlikely to pop off.
One of the best things about the set is the provided fixing tool, which is basically a cross between a spanner and a two-prong case wrench. Look after it, though, as it’s proprietary, meaning you’ll need it to make any adjustments.
Material: Hardened steel
Finishes: Nickel, Black, Black Nickel, Brass, Gold
Style: Strap-fitted
+ Well-priced
+ Great functionality
+ Range of different finishes
- They stick out a lot
Like the Schaller S-Locks, the Jim Dunlop StrapLok Strap Retainers Dual Design (SLS1031N) have carved out a longstanding reputation for quality and reliability.
However, whereas Schaller’s locks work on a pull-pin-style system, these have a button-style release, which means they’re a little harder to get on and off but less prone to accidental releases. One thing to note about button-style locks is that they sit a fair way off the guitar, meaning it won’t fit so well inside a snug hard case with the strap on.
Overall, though, Jim Dunlop’s strap locks are a superb offering and a great alternative to the Schaller S-Locks, especially given their more affordable price point. We love them for bass as the extra security is reassuring with a heavier guitar.
Material: Steel
Finishes: Chrome, Black, Gold
Style: Strap-fitted
+ Difficult to accidentally open
+ Very functional
+ Comparatively expensive
- Bulkier than you might want
Very comparable to the Fender Infinity Strap Locks, Ernie Ball’s Super Locks are a great option for those guitarists who like a pinch-button release. They're extra secure, so we love them for heavy guitars like a Les Paul.
As you’d expect from some of the most expensive strap locks on the market, the build quality here is exceptional. It gives you that extra reassurance when you're spending a lot of money on a guitar that it'll stay in perfect condition.
The looks will be divisive, but ultimately that’s a matter of personal taste, though. Going on quality alone, the Ernie Ball Super Locks are a seriously safe choice that you can put your trust in.
Material: Steel
Finishes: Chrome, Black, Gold, Red
Style: Strap-fitted
+ Very functional
+ Difficult to accidentally release
+ Great for Fender owners
- Bulkier than we generally like
One of the main differences between strap lock systems is the way in which you lock them, and, while everybody will have a preference for a certain style, it’s hard to look past the Fender Infinity Strap Locks for sheer functionality.
Thanks to their smooth, ball-bearing-style system with pinch-button release, they’re incredibly easy to take off, but almost impossible to do so accidentally.
One thing to consider is that, even though they look very compact, these strap locks actually stick out a fair way, so you might need to take your strap off if you’re packing the guitar away. They do look cool, though, and would really enhance the look of your Fender guitar.
Material: Hardened steel
Finishes: Black, Gold, Nickel
Style: Strap-fitted
+ Easy to install
+ No rattling
- On the pricier side
While D’Addario can hardly be thought of as a newcomer to this scene, its PW-SLS-02 Universal Strap Locks are one of the more recent additions to the market. Launched in 2018, they’ve taken off in a pretty big way, becoming a fierce competitor to Schaller and Jim Dunlop’s offerings.
For good reason, too. Working on a pull-pin-style system, D’Addario’s locks are functional and boast a short profile that sits very neatly alongside your guitar body – something D’Addario was conscious of when designing them.
One key feature of D’Addario’s locks is that their pull pin is mounted on a big button. This can be both a good and a bad thing. On the positive side, the larger surface area is easy to grip – handy for when you need to mount and dismount the locks. On the negative side, there’s more chance that the locks could get snagged on something. This is worst-case scenario stuff, though, and the PW-SLS-02 Universal Strap Locks are generally an efficient and effective solution.
FAQs
How to choose the best strap locks for you
You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The main things to consider when buying strap locks are how secure you’ll need them to be – will you be thrashing around a lot or sitting down most of the time? – and how much work you want to do when attaching them. Depending on your current setup, you may need to re-drill the screw holes to fit the new buttons.
With most types of strap lock, though, it should be as simple as removing your current buttons and replacing them with strap-lock-compatible ones. Just double-check the gauge of the screws against each other before conducting any work, to ensure that you don't end up damaging your guitar by trying to force thicker or longer screws into place.
Other things to consider are the profile of the systems and the type of release you want. Some systems end up being quite long after you’ve put all the parts together. If you want something more compact, then the D'Addario PW-SLS-02 Universal Strap Locks and the Loxx Strap Lock Set for Electric Guitar & Bass are probably your best bets.
The last thing to think about is the strap locks’ appearance. Most types come in a range of different finishes and colors, so you should be able to find something that complements your hardware.
How do guitar strap locks work?
As you’ve probably guessed by now, guitar strap locks are designed to attach a guitar strap to a guitar in a more secure fashion than standard strap buttons.
How they work depends on the type you go for. Most will be fixed through your strap like the classic Schaller S-Locks or the Jim Dunlop StrapLok Strap Retainers Dual Design, and will require you to change out your existing buttons with the locking system’s buttons. But there are easy-fix options, such as the Fender Strap Blocks and the D'Addario Dual-Lock Strap Locks, which go over the top of your strap and button so that you can keep everything as is.
Can you put strap locks on an acoustic guitar?
Yes you can put strap locks on an acoustic guitar, however this might be easier said than done. If your acoustic already has two strap pins, then it'll be a simple case of a straight swap. However, many acoustic guitars come with either one or no strap pins at all, in which case you'll need to get your drill out or take it to your local luthier.
How do I install strap locks on a guitar?
On an electric guitar strap locks will typically replace your already existing strap pins. 9 times out of 10 it's a case of simply unscrewing your current strap pins and replacing them with those that come with your strap locks. Some guitars might have a different width of screw, which might mean you need to fill a hole to get them to fit.
On an acoustic guitar things are a little different. Not every acoustic comes with strap pins. Some might have an endpin at the bottom of the body but rely on you tying a string around your headstock for the other side. In this instance, you'll need to drill a new hole, which could be disconcerting if you've never done it before.
There are a few places to put your strap pins. The most common for the bottom of the guitar is right in the center, as there's usually a large block of wood on the other side that will hold the pin nicely. For the other end, you've got a couple of options, you can either go for the back edge of the neck heel, or the treble side of the neck heel.
For those more DIY-minded, you'll need a drill, a drill bit with a smaller width than the screw you're using, some tape, a screwdriver, and your strap locks to do this.
Step 1 - Start by marking where you are going to drill using a pencil on the tap, then stick the tape on the guitar body to protect the finish.
Step 2 - neck mark the depth you're going to be drilling on your drill bit using your tape. This stops you from going too far - especially useful if you're drilling the treble side of your neck heel.
Step 3 - Carefully drill your pilot hole, making sure to triple-check the angle of approach. Go slow and steady to prevent any nasty accidents.
Step 4 - Get your strap lock and screw it in with your screwdriver.
How we choose
Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best guitar strap locks available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best guitar strap locks on the market right now.
Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.
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