| Author | Message | ||
| robinc
Intermediate Member Username: robinc Post Number: 132 Registered: 5-2008 |
One of the straplocks on my bass has become loose. I've tightened the screw a few times, though never very hard for fear of stripping the wood, and after some use it wiggles itself loose again. I've seen some straplocks that have a small felt bushing between the metal and the wood that occasionally needs replacing. Is that the case with Alembics? I figured I would get some expert advice before I tried a DIY approach. Thanks! | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 992 Registered: 3-2004 |
Wooden toothpick down the shaft to take up the slack, cut to fit the depth or sometimes just break it off if you are in a real hurry, a dab of elmers if you like, replace screw. I carry those things in my gig bag. I have had to do it to all my basses. I kinda put a lot of force on my basses when I play. Just one man's opinion. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3609 Registered: 7-2004 |
Danno is right on (as usual). In fact , there is a story on use of toothpicks in one of the current magazines, I think it's Vintage Guitar, IIRC. One suggestion: try and get good and solid round hardwood toothpicks, not the cheap flat ones. Put it in with some wood glue. Let dry 24 hours. Carefully (with a razor or similar blade) trim off the extra toothpick sticking out of the hole, then replace the screw. Bill, tgo | ||
| jet_powers
Senior Member Username: jet_powers Post Number: 441 Registered: 2-2003 |
Several times in the past I've used wooden matches (they are a little bigger than toothpicks) and then just put the screw back in. I didn't want to glue it just in case for some odd reason I wanted to get it out again. None have failed yet.... JP | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 820 Registered: 8-2003 |
If you use epoxy, you can heat the strap button screw with a soldering iron just enough to melt the glue, and then unscrew as normal. Backyard mechanics know _all_ the tricks! | ||
| jet_powers
Senior Member Username: jet_powers Post Number: 442 Registered: 2-2003 |
Will the residual epoxy in the hole have any effect on putting the screw back in afterwards? JP | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1589 Registered: 12-2002 |
my Strap is screwed into the bass insuring it will never come loose unless i unscrew it..that's always sure safe option that it wont give-way unexpedly. | ||
| bassdr
Member Username: bassdr Post Number: 100 Registered: 10-2004 |
I solved this issue by installing threaded brass inserts and using machine screws to hold my straplocks in place. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1411 Registered: 6-2002 |
I read on the forum somewhere that Clarkee uses the method Keavin suggested. I presume the idea of threaded inserts would have been considered by Alembic since they use threaded inserts everywhere else. So I suppose there is a good reason they don't use them on the straplocks. I could see threaded inserts coming lose due to continued movement of the strap in use. Jazzyvee | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3672 Registered: 7-2004 |
I always double check my strap pins and the straplock mechanisms on my strap before playing. I find that the piece on the strap loosening is far more common than the posts on the guitar loosening. I guess this is almost second nature to me as a result of owning an old Austin Healy Bugeye Sprite many years ago. I was always taught to preventively check and tighten bolts on a British sports car. Bill, tgo |
