So I just recently received a new short scale, small body build from Alembic and was unhappy with the way my 4" strap was working with the strap lock system. Trying every which way to make it work for me using the strap lock system I finally decided to stop and try the 'screw the strap directly to the body' Stanley Clarke approach. 


http://www3.alembicguitars.net/img/inst/13195_nostraplockL.jpg
http://www.alembicguitars.net/info/fc_dragonsbreath.html

(Gulp) messing with a brand new build in this way was a little frightening to me. I took the main Schaller wood screw out and applied the strap directly to the body in the direction I wanted the bass to sit. I screwed the wood screw back in to the bass carefully with the wide diameter washer that comes with the strap lock on top of the strap.  I also kept the felt protector in place in case the pin decides to creep in between the washer hole and the body. Low and behold it works wonderfully! The bass is now closer to my body where i can see the top of the frets and not just side of the neck. The bass also sits perfect for me at 2pm, plus I can easily slide it down to 3pm if I wish and back to 2pm again without it doing a neck dive. This is also due to the bass now being as close to my body as possible and in a fixed position to my liking.


Just thought I'd share this if anyone here found themselves in this similar situation, to consider giving it a whirl.

I can't form any meaningful opinion until I see some evidence of this alleged new short-scale small-body, Brian. 


(I'm sure it is as amazing as anything they send out, still, c'mon man... you can't get by with a ring-n-run like that!)

Lol Ed, was hoping this wouldn't get taken out of context. This is just me talking, I am 5' 7" wet and we all have different preferences what it comes to (bass) playing positions with a strap on. I just found out that what Stanley was onto early on makes perfect sense (to me) for this body style, regardless of height.


Here is a photo of the bass I believe taken by Mica before it was shipped to me.

Superb!!!! and the two extra switches near the tailpeice are?

Quote from: jazzyvee on August 28, 2019, 11:50:24 AM
Superb!!!! and the two extra switches near the tailpeice are?

Boost and LED on/off.

That's great that screwing the strap to the body worked for you   

I was having a similar issue with strap locks holding the short scale SC body bass too far away, causing it to fall forward.  I compensated by using a simple strap button with no strap locks.  Holds the bass in place closer to my body, with no forward tilt or neck dive.  If I feel the need to lock the strap in place, I just add a rubber washer behind the strap on the button. Works well for me.

Beautiful bass you have there!

Quote from: rv_bass on August 28, 2019, 12:24:21 PM
That's great that screwing the strap to the body worked for you   

I was having a similar issue with strap locks holding the short scale SC body bass too far away, causing it to fall forward.  I compensated by using a simple strap button with no strap locks.  Holds the bass in place closer to my body, with no forward tilt or neck dive.  If I feel the need to lock the strap in place, I just add a rubber washer behind the strap on the button. Works well for me.

Beautiful bass you have there!

Yes, that is exactly what what my issue was, and a better way to describe it Rob. I was going to use the strap button approach too but gave this a whirl and so far so good.  It does however make it a little bit if a PITA to put back in the case or gig bag.

Brian, glad the screw method is working, I might try it if the forward tilt reoccurs.

I wonder if recessed locks would work with the button at the neck location? 

Quote from: rv_bass on August 28, 2019, 01:49:17 PM
I wonder if recessed locks would work with the button at the neck location? 

Recessed straplock at the neck does work well, but there is still the protruding part on the other side of the strap that can cause a little forward dip.

When I saw the thread title, I thought we were talking bolt on necks!

Sadly, I regularly experience the problem with the instrument "facing down" access problem, but it doesn't have anything to do the geometry of the instrument, rather then geometry of the player...

Quote from: edwin on August 28, 2019, 06:21:17 PM
When I saw the thread title, I thought we were talking bolt on necks!

Ditto!


I'd love to see photos of this setup. Can't quite visualize what you are talking about moongerm.

Quote from: dfung60 on August 29, 2019, 08:22:15 AM
Sadly, I regularly experience the problem with the instrument "facing down" access problem, but it doesn't have anything to do the geometry of the instrument, rather then geometry of the player...

David, For me the washers holding the strap in a fixed position helps force the bass to sit more at 2PM (in my example). Also if I place the thin bottom end of the strap (from the strap end pin) over the top of the body, it forces the neck to tilt up so you can see the fingerboard.

Quote from: edwin on August 28, 2019, 06:21:17 PM
When I saw the thread title, I thought we were talking bolt on necks!

Yikes! Sorry Edwin.