| Author | Message | ||
| grynchin
Junior Username: grynchin Post Number: 34 Registered: 1-2006 |
Hello all, I have an issue with my bass. I bought it and it had Schaller locking buttons on it and I immediately put Dunlops on to match my other axes. Then I decided to put the Schallers back on. You can imagine what the mahogany looks like in the strap hole. It pretty much is stripped out, because I can't tighten the Schallers back up nice and snug. I could feel the wood almost give as I tried to tork down on it. Please, I need to know the best way to repair it, whether its filling it with glue, letting it dry and drilling it again, or whatever else someone has. Thanks. Brandon | ||
| dfung60
Intermediate Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 165 Registered: 5-2002 |
A reasonable fix would be to dip a round wood toothpick in Elmer's (white) glue, then stick the appropriate amount into the hole. Let it dry, then reinstall the Schaller screw. The Schaller screws are much smaller than the Dunlop Straploks, so you might need to stick two toothpick sections in there. Give it a day for the glue to dry before screwing anything in there (if the glue's not dry it will act as a lubricant instead of adhesive!). You don't ever want to over-tighten a wood screw, but you do want strap buttons to be completely immobile, otherwise the little bit of play will allow the screw (which is under a lot of tension, probably as much as any on the entire instrument) to deform the wood that's holding it in. That starts a vicious cycle of causing the strap button to be looser, which makes it looser, etc! | ||
| 2400wattman
Intermediate Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 145 Registered: 11-2005 |
I have not used glue, but I have packed a bunch of toothpicks in there and broke them off flush. Go slow putting the screw in though and lubricate the button with a little carmex(yes the lip stuff) or vasoline. But use a little bit and this will make it where your strap button won't back out of it's hole due to the weight of the bass and the friction of the button in the strap lock. It will happen w/out some lube on that button I don' care how tight that screw is. So give it some juice!! | ||
| gregbump
Junior Username: gregbump Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2005 |
I actually use a combination of these two tips. I break/cut off 1 or 2 short pieces of toothpick, dip them in glue, and then insert them in the hole. Install the screw right away if you like, but don't put any pressure on it for a day or so (give the glue time to dry). Also - be sure not to leave any glue on the finish. Wipe any excess off immediately with a damp rag, or mask off the area around the hole before gluing. | ||
| grynchin
Junior Username: grynchin Post Number: 35 Registered: 1-2006 |
Thanks alot guys, I got it fixed up, with a toothpick, dab o'glue, and inserted screw. I let it set up and it worked amazingly. I cannot thank you all enough. As simple an idea as that is, I would have never thought of it. If it were left in my hands, I'd probably have an eye-bolt hanging off of my bass right now. Your ideas were indeed appreciated. Brandon | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 433 Registered: 6-2002 |
interesting that thread, as I have the same problem with my strat. I've tried the toothpick or matchstick idea with glue but it eventually works loose in time. It's one of the reasons I haven't changed the strap button on my Orion guitar. If Alembic use inserts for everything else that screws into the wood of their instruments, why not use them to hold the strap button too? Jazzyvee | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 642 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jazzy. I had a loose button about a year ago and I reset it after filling the hole and coating the screw in No-More-Nails. It hasn't budged since. Graeme p.s. dont forget to wipe away the excess. | ||
| georgie_boy
Junior Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 27 Registered: 8-2005 |
A good tip Graeme! I've had a few loose buttons over the years (never on my Series though) and used the method of matches/toothpicks etc, but this "no more nails" seems to be great for so many things. On which bass did you have the loose button--the Epic or the Rogue? Take care George Ps Where is Mike these days. It's been so long since I've heard from him. + when's your next gig?? | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 644 Registered: 10-2002 |
It was on the Rogue. I think probably because the straplock provides a much more solid connection with the strap it exerts more leverage than the standard button on the epic. I've put straplocks on the epic since then but used no more nails when I fitted them. Again no problems since. Mike's been ill recently - bronchitis or something very similar but he's getting over it. I don't think he has time to surf much these days. The next few Big tuna dates are on the website - www.bigtuna.co.uk - but we've nothing coming up soon in your neck of the woods. Next one is 27th in Auchtermuchty. If you've any gigs coming up let me know, I'd like to hear how the series sounds. Sorry for the brief hijack. graeme | ||
| georgie_boy
Junior Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 29 Registered: 8-2005 |
GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN! Will check out the site Send my best to Mike!! Shouldn't you be working Graeme??? George | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 645 Registered: 10-2002 |
Practising to be french by having a two hour lunch break ;-) Graeme | ||
| georgie_boy
Junior Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 30 Registered: 8-2005 |
Could this be why bank charges are so high????? | ||
| georgie_boy
Junior Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 31 Registered: 8-2005 |
If you want to hear my Series 1, then listen to Dave Houck's band. The sound is identical!! | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1298 Registered: 7-2004 |
"No more nails"?????? I'll bite, what is it? Bill, tgo | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 646 Registered: 10-2002 |
It's a (supposedly) super strong, instant grip adhesive. Becoming very popular over here for fixing skirting boards, wood paneling etc... http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/Category.asp?iCategoryID=1009 Graeme | ||
| georgie_boy
Junior Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 32 Registered: 8-2005 |
AND GUITARS!!!!!!!!!!! G | ||
| dfung60
Intermediate Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 166 Registered: 5-2002 |
jazzyvee mentioned that Alembic uses inserts for everything EXCEPT the strap button. A threaded insert here would definitely hold better, but makes changing strap buttons really difficult as the various brands used different sized hardware, and it's unusual hardware as well. It would probably be easier to get a hex head capscrew that fit inside a Dunlop Straplok than to find another phillips head wood screw with the tiny head, but serendipity would assure that you could never find the necessary hex key then! I agree that would be nice though. I have some old Warwicks (around 1990) that have inserts for the Schaller straplocks and they work great (metal-to-metal attachment and you could Loctite them too) but I'm sure that caused a lot of consternation for people who didn't like those Schaller pins. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 438 Registered: 6-2002 |
I knew the point about the differing screws being used on different manufacturers locks would come up. I guess that would only be an issue with instruments already made. However on a new instrument, Alembic could just fit the straplock hardware that you want with a screw insert to match, then you probably won't have any problems. For existing methods, well you could take the Stanley Clarke approach and screw the strap to the instrument permanently with a large woodscrew and a washer. http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_dragonsbreath.html |
