D’Addario has come up with a simple and affordable solution to the age-old problem of guitar straps versus Strap Locks. The D’Addario Auto Lock Guitar Strap is a simple integrated strap locking system and requires no drilling or luthiers. Simply slide the strap end over the guitar strap buttons and you are locked in—it’s that easy. The grey latch is spring-loaded so it automatically clamps down on the strap button and won’t come loose until you release it. Just push up on the grey latch, slide off the end, and the strap is removed.
This innovation is a welcome relief to the market. If you have been playing guitar for a length of time, no doubt you have either seen or been the victim of a guitar strap letting go and damaging a precious expensive guitar. Additionally, it is ready to go right out of the store. You don’t have to consider whether to drill an expensive or vintage guitar—long a negative aspect of most of the Strap Lock. It just snaps right on.
I found the Auto Lock to be very secure and easy. The strap version I tried is made of Polypropylene, which has a similar feel to Nylon… it is a bit slippery, and the guitar moved a bit, so it made me want to try the leather version of the strap. New, and an additional innovation of this particular guitar strap is the Swivel feature.
The Auto Lock Swivel is designed specifically for guitars with rear-facing strap buttons. Rear-facing strap buttons can be a challenge for standard straps and can lead to twisting. This may cause the strap end to stretch, creating a risk that the guitar may fall off. The Auto Lock Swivel rotates as the strap is pulled in different directions and eliminates this issue completely. The strap stays straight and comfortable for the player.
Two things to be careful about—use care when installing the strap on a guitar with a neck heel strap button, it can get a little tight there. Also, I would remove the strap when putting a guitar in a case so that the strap swivel does not hurt the guitar.
The Auto Lock Swivel Strap was forged by virtuosic guitarist Joe Satriani and inventor Ned Steinberger. Steinberger designed the Auto Lock and Satriani formulated the swivel concept.
Available with multiple graphic designs, styles and materials, the Auto Lock Guitar Strap works with most strap buttons on the market. Ideal for electric guitar, acoustic guitar and bass. $16.99-$39.99
