I bought this '95 Warwick Fortress One 5-string a few months ago, but there's a problem with one of it's built-in straplock retainers. It appears that the previous owner had removed the retainer nearest the bridge, and filled the hole with some sort of wood-filler (please bear with me, I have almost no experience with this stuff :hmm:) and moved the straplock to the upper curve of the bass. This is all fine and dandy, but it makes it really hard for me to hold and balance the axe! Here's a photo:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u209/4string_priest/000_0001.jpg

How would I go about adding a similar straplock in the original spot? Can I get this part from Warwick? I don't mind having two straplock retainers, I'd just prefer to have one beneath the bridge so it's easier for me to balance. My other concern is that there are no reputable luthiers or repair shops within 3 hours of my house, so I'd like to see what I can do first. Also, my father is a traditional gunsmith with over 40 years of experience, so if there's anything we can do before hunting down a repair shop, that would be excellent.

Thanks for your help!

If you want to go w/recessed straplocks, like the moved one, it looks to me like all you need to do is drill a larger hole right where the old, filled one is. If you want more traditional locks then I'd suggest mounting it 1/2" above or below the filled hole; otherwise you should probable drill a larger hole & dowel it(completely fill the new hole w/similar wood)to ensure a secure mounting point for the new button.