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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through January 07, 2011 » Archive: 2009 » Archive through August 16, 2009 » Repairing a strap pin hole « Previous Next »

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karl
Intermediate Member
Username: karl

Post Number: 158
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Thursday, July 30, 2009 - 4:31 am:   Edit Post

Hi all,

Just a small thing, but it's bugged me for a while and I wondered if there was anything I could do about it.

At some point in its life, my 93 SC Deluxe had the indignity of having some muppet (a previous owner, not me, I hasten to add!) put a strap pin on the upper horn in, I presume, an effort to improve the balance. Needless to say, it didn't work - the balance is much better using the original strap pin placement on the back of the neck heel, which is how I always use the bass. However, this means my poor bass has an unused strap pin. Of course, this doesn't affect playability one iota, but I do feel it's a pity it's there, since I love the clean simple lines of the bass.
I've tried removing it completely, but whoever put it there didn't do a great job, and the finish around the hole is a little cracked and messy, so leaving the strap pin in place covers that up nicely.
So now I'm wondering if anyone out there has had any experience of having such holes repaired. Is it possible for a good luthier/craftsman to effect an 'invisible' repair - fill the hole in the mahogany and refinish it in such a way as to make it practically invisible?
Any advice much appreciated!
pauldo
Advanced Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 216
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Thursday, July 30, 2009 - 3:37 pm:   Edit Post

Karl - I would think that any good finish carpenter could set you up right.

But it sounds like you are very aware of the perceived flaw on the instrument and I would venture to guess that any repair (regardless of how professional) isn't going to stop you from looking down and saying "Boy what kinda twit would move a strap button on a SC?"

I wish you the best of luck.

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