The Best Guitar Strap Locks
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A strap lock is one of those essential guitar accessories that may not seem that important… until your guitar slips off its strap mid-strum and crashes to the floor!
This is why guitar strap locks are such an important consideration for any guitarist. Whether your strap doesn’t fit perfectly or you simply want that extra peace of mind, using a strap lock results in a worry-free playing experience, no matter what you are doing with your guitar on stage.While you can certainly make your own strap lock, there’s a whole world of easy-to-use, affordable locks available, and – in the following chart – we are going to highlight ten of our favorites. Stick around after the chart for a quick buyer’s guide. Let’s go!
The Best Guitar Strap Locks
| Image | Strap Locks / Rating | Summary | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
+ -  | Schaller S Locks Total of 4.85/5 | The premium option with a noiseless operation. | |
+ -  | Schaller Guitar Strap Locks Total of 4.80/5 | Hard to fault this tried-and-tested set from Schaller. | |
+ -  | LOXX 13679 Strap Lock System Total of 4.83/5 | A highly-respected and dependable set from LOXX. | |
+ -  | Dunlop SLS1031N Straplok Total of 4.82/5 | The go-to strap lock for many guitarists and guitar brands. | |
+ -  | Ernie Ball Super Locks Total of 4.72/5 | Super locks by name, super locks by nature! | |
+ -  | Eison Premium Strap Locks Total of 4.72/5 | Wallet-friendly pair of quick-release strap locks. | |
+ -  | Fender Straplock Total of 4.58/5 | An affordable set of strap locks from a big name. | |
+ -  | BrightVision Rubber Strap Locks Total of 4.53/5 | A good value set with a back to basics design. | |
+ -  | Fender Strap Blocks Total of 4.47/5 | Two pairs of basic but solid washer locks from Fender. | |
+ -  | Planet Waves Locking Guitar Strap Total of 4.77/5 | An innovative locking strap which works! |
Schaller S Locks
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We kick off this list with a premium pair of S Locks from Schaller. These locks feature a unique patented design, offering an incredibly strong connection, along with a completely noiseless performance.
Due to their innovative design, they are very easy to install and quickly switching your guitar/strap is simple. A further plus is that the screws will even fit tricky Gibson guitars, while they also easily accommodate the thickest guitar straps.
They are made from a quality hardened steel and come in either chrome, gold or nickel finishes. A little pricey, but well worth the investment.
Schaller Guitar Strap Locks
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Slightly cheaper than the set we feature above, this is another highly-recommended strap lock system from Schaller.
Coming as a pair, this set features a simple design comprising a button, nut, washer and strap lock to offer a secure fit that you can depend on, no matter how much you abuse your guitar!
While the supplied screws are a little on the slim side, they should fit most guitars. A bonus is that they come in three different finishes, including gold, nickel or satin black. A solid choice.
LOXX 13679 Strap Lock System
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Another set that edges into the premium market is the 13679 system from LOXX. This pair is made in Germany, so you know the design and quality is going to be high right off the bat!
Made with a quality metal, these locks feature an understated design with a quiet operation and listed 220lbs of force required to pull them out, proving incredibly secure.
They are easy to install, fit all guitars and straps, and come with everything you need, including two 16mm screws, a mounting tool and felt washers to protect your axe.
Dunlop SLS1031N Straplok
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Of course, this list wouldn’t have been complete without strap locks from Dunlop – a brand that certainly knows a thing or two about making quality guitar gear.
This pair of SLS1031N Straploks comes in at an affordable price, although shows off a similar design and reliability to others further up this list.
Made from a simple but stylish nickel-plated steel, these locks are very strong and offer you great confidence. They are simple to install and fit most guitars quite comfortably (although not great with PRS models due to oversized screw holes).
Ernie Ball Super Locks
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You can rely on Ernie Ball to deliver something worthwhile to this list and that’s exactly what they have done with their Super Locks!
With a cool Ernie Ball-branded head, this pair of locks is made from nickel-plated steel which feels durable and well-made – quite chunky, but generally lower profile than others on this list.
They fit well over most straps and keep a secure connection, with a handy quick-release system. They are a little expensive for what they are, but not bad when you consider the security they offer.
Eison Premium Strap Locks
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Another system sitting in the ‘midrange’ of strap locks is this pair from Eison, which uses a familiar design.
While the name isn’t as famous as some others on this list, these locks come highly rated because they work well, offering a secure fit and easy installation.
They are made from a durable black nickel, feature a quiet operation and a similar quick release system used on higher-end models. Not quite as nice in feel as the Schallers above, but overall very strong for the affordable price.
Fender Straplock
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Fender make their first appearance on this list with an affordable set that uses a similar quick-release design to some of the higher-end strap locks we have featured.
Made from strong metal with a chrome finish, this pair offers a solid connection and good security. They are easy to install and come with buttons, locks and felt washers to protect your guitar’s finish.
The overall quality isn’t as high as some others on this list, but this set still holds up in terms of functionality, performance and security. A very good budget option.
BrightVision Rubber Strap Locks
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While we’ve seen some very smart and innovative designs on this list, this pack from BrightVision is a back to basics entry, using a familiar ‘Grolsch-style’ washer design, providing incredible simplicity.
Made from heavy-duty pliant black rubber, you simply stretch the washer lock over your existing strap buttons and lock your strap in place.
They are relatively easy to fit to your guitar, and – when on there – they secure your strap well. For under ten bucks, this set offers great value, especially as you get three pairs (six washers).
Fender Strap Blocks
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If you’re on a budget, there’s no reason to miss out on strap locks, as this incredibly affordable set from Fender proves.
Made from a high-quality rubber, these work just like the set above. They provide a good grip and a secure fit, although are quite tough to get onto the strap button initially.
You get four washers in total – a red pair and black pair. For so few beans, they are actually quite stylish, with the Fender name engraved onto the outer ring. Note, they work for any guitar, not solely Fenders.
Planet Waves Locking Guitar Strap
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We end this list with a self-locking strap – meaning there is no need for external locks. This strap from Planet Waves offers a no-nonsense fully-adjustable design made from high-quality black leather.
The most interesting feature is obviously the strap ends, which are made from a durably heavy-duty plastic featuring the patented locking design.
These ends slip over your existing strap buttons and lock the strap into place. This feels firm and secure, until you release the side pin to take it off. An innovative and easy-to-use solution!
What to Look for in a Strap Lock
Strap locks are all the same… aren’t they? Nope – just like slides, capos, tuners and other guitar accessories, strap locks come in many forms. As always, what you should look for will depend on your setup and your budget.
At its most basic, a one-piece strap lock is something usually made of rubber or plastic that fits over your existing strap pin, locking the strap in place. While basic, there’s no harm in using these one-piece locks because – at the end of the day – they actually work!
Some of the one-piece rubber washer locks can require a considerable amount of force to stretch them over the strap buttons, although when they are on your guitar, things feel very secure. One-piece locks also have the added bonus of not requiring you to modify your guitar in any way (i.e. no need to change the strap pins, and so on). The negatives of this basic style are that they obviously don’t offer the quick-release functions that some of the other strap locks do, while they can also look a bit conspicuous.
If you are willing to spend a little more, you can find multi-piece metal strap lock systems that offer excellent security, style and a handy quick-release system. There is a little more hassle when it comes to installing this kind of lock, although it shouldn’t take more than ten minutes of your time. The benefits of these systems are that they are very convenient when you want to take the strap off quickly. While made of metal, these systems tend to come with felt washers, that are included to protect the finish of your guitar (you don’t want a metal lock sitting directly on your paintwork).
What About Straps with Built-In Strap Locks?
As you may have seen from our chart, you can also buy guitar straps with built in locking ends. The advantages of these straps are clear, as they are quickly attached and removed from a guitar and require no modification to use them.
However, with plastic ends, some of these designs can scratch your guitar’s paintwork, so be careful which brand you buy from. Remember, you can read more on straps in our complete guide to guitar straps.
The Final Word
While shopping for a strap lock is nowhere near as exciting as shopping for a new guitar, amp or even a strap, it’s one of those accessories you will be glad you took the time to buy and install. You don’t have to spend more then ten bucks to end up with something decent – which is a lot less than having to repair or replace a guitar that fell off its strap!
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