D'Addario Elliptical End Pins, Chrome

Needed a new strap end in new position. Very easy to install and works great, strap fits much better.And looks great too!! AAA+++ Well made and sturdy.

I have not installed these yet, but I purchased them because one of my guitars came with these installed and I was very impressed by how they work. You can get away without a strap lock for less than extreme playing. (I wouldn't recommend if you're into "neck spins and such)! The strap fits normally but the elongation makes it very unlikely to pull or pop off. I will buy these again for other guitars.

Old school and very cool!!!

I must first state for the record, I hate strap locks. Hate may be a bit shy of the mark, actually. I've never met a set I liked in any single way. I've only ever dropped an instrument that HAD strap locks on it. In fact, EVERY instrument I've owned with strap locks has suffered a gravity attack caused by the very device intended to prevent such misfortune. Schaller type strap locks tend to come unscrewed- even with Locktite. When you install them, you are compressing the nut and washer against a compressible material (leather, nylon, etc), so it is never really tight. Plus there's only about two threads on the slim little nut, and if they aren't a really tight match to the other half, wear very quickly (especially since you have to tighten them so often). Duncan type often suffer from 'non-positive lock syndrome' if not regularly cleaned and lubed. Then there's the fact that unless all of your instruments are equipped with the same brand of lock buttons, your strap is only compatible with the ones which match. And then there is the the metal-on-metal clankyness. Yuck. Oh, and and the cost. Moving on.Why are these little Elliptical End Pins so brilliant? They are NOT strap locks. If you orient the widest points horizontally when you install them - as you should, then in order to put your strap on and take it off, you will need to turn the strap 90 degrees to the instrument. This isn't something you are likely to do inadvertently while reaching for your beer onstage. Sometimes the simplest design is the best design. And they're pretty, too.Downsides? I will say the screws supplied with these are pretty short, but then I would also argue there is no reason to not use the screws holding in the original strap buttons as long as they fit tightly. If they don't, using smaller or shorter screws is not the answer- especially considering if the screws cut new threads, you're pretty much- uh, screwed. The washers these come with are pretty small too, so I just used the screws and felt washers that came with the factory buttons. With a brand new strap, they can be a bit tricky to get on, but just as tricky to get off (which is good). That tight fit could cause some increased wear on the strap, especially if it is made from cheap materials. With older straps, just as with any traditional strap button, you need to develop a good habit of always checking the positive seat of the strap, but it is very easy to verify, and again much less likely to slip than a traditional button. Mechanical strap locks actually require just as much diligence to ensure they are still securely fastened and working properly. But with strap locks, if there's a problem, you'll have to grab some tools to fix it - or replace it entirely. Talk about a false sense of security. With PE's Elliptical End Pins, you just put the strap where it should be and you're set.If you are one who is taken to doing back-flips, or find yourself frequently using your strapped instrument like a hula-hoop onstage, then these probably won't save your precious instrument from the gravity goblin or inertia monkey's worst intentions. But if either of these antics are your norm, you might be better served by a permanently attached strap, or perhaps therapy.Since writing the review above, I've ordered several more sets to use on all of my basses. I'm done with traditional strap buttons and don't imagine ever going back to metal on metal strap locks.

What is good about these is that they require no drilling. It comes with two sets of strong screws (you pick it based on thickness). If the original screws are only slightly longer, I use the new screws, if they originals are much longer and do not fit too loose in the new hardware, I use the originals, though the shorter screws might really be fine. If the body is of a softer wood I would stick with the longer ones if OK and hole not striped. I also use the rubber washers which I think is important, When on the guitar the wide part is perpendicular to the strap slit so it is hard for the strap slip off. What this product does not do it is protect the actual strap ends from wearing out as with Strap-Loks. Strap-Loks are more work to install, need some simple lubricating and cleaning maintenance, protect the strap and also the strap does not run (or runs) less on the guitar. Strap-locs are indeed better and I always used for years, but these do a great job of holding on to a strap in good condition and were fine for a bunch of guitars I had. Using the same strap on the original strap pins my strap would slide off, with these it stays on. So far these do the job very well and cost barely nothing. For players that are very physical jumping all around go with the Strap-Loks, just make sure you put the straps ends on correctly so they don't pop apart. In final, these are a bargain and work fine and are very easy to install. The more I use them the more I see how well they work.

Purchased for some guitar projects, I love these strap pins! They look snazzy, they weigh a bit less than many straplock type devices, cost effective, and they WORK. Mind you I'm not throwing my guitars around 360 degrees either, but I"m fairly mobile when I play, I have no fear using these on my personal guitars.

I believe I'm on my 7th set of these. Not because there's an issue but because I like them and put them on every guitar. After a 15 year break I've returned to learning guitar. I've restored or updated my old guitars of 25+ years and purchased a few new ones. These strap buttons get installed on every one. I've tried multiple styles of buttons and these are the only ones I have been satisfied with. I don't enjoy the bulky 2 piece locking systems.This method is cheaper, adds no bulk or rattle and comes in the colors I need. It takes some effort to get the straps on but there never accidentally come off.

I love these. Easy swap on any guitar that you want a little extra security without having to spring for proper strap locks (let's be honest, you shouldn't windmill your guitar like that anyway).