bass screws keep coming loose need help

abcdefranklin · #1 03-26-2010, 11:47 PM

I play an ibanez srx2ex2 and the strap screws keep coming loose after practice. I've tried wrapping the screws with teflon tape and thats about it. I'm skeptical of putting anything in there because i don't want to damage the wood. Is there anything i could do? I NEVER want the screws out not even to come loose if possible. please let me know

thirtypoint87 · #2 03-26-2010, 11:49 PM

Neck screws? Bridge screws? (Help us out here)

abcdefranklin · #3 03-27-2010, 12:31 AM

The screws that hold in the straps sorry

sidd_laroy · #4 03-27-2010, 12:33 AM

stick some tooth picks in the holes.

JSK5String · #5 03-27-2010, 12:33 AM

Break a tooth pick off the same depth as the hole. Put that in the hole with a small drop of wood glue. Screw in your strap lock on that and let it sit overnight. You and your strap locks will then live happily ever after.

xxfaux_punkxx · #6 03-27-2010, 12:33 AM

he beat me to it ^

JSK5String · #7 03-27-2010, 12:34 AM

Classic, we posted the same idea at the same time. And yes, GO BLACKHAWKS!!!!

abcdefranklin · #8 03-27-2010, 12:38 AM

So just put some glue on the the toothpicks and jam as many as i possibly can into the hole? Would i use a smaller sized screw or the current one I'm using now. The clip lock straps come with 2 one that originally fit and a really fat one. I'm using the ones from my squier pbass at the moment because the smaller sized one from the clip lock strap just used to fall out of the hole.

sidd_laroy · #9 03-27-2010, 12:45 AM

ummm. i don't know if jamming as many as i can into the hole is the way i'd go. I've found in the past that one usually does the trick... but that's just me.

vinxbass · #10 03-27-2010, 12:46 AM

Toothpicks and Elmers wood glue.

sidd_laroy · #11 03-27-2010, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSK5String

GO BLACKHAWKS!!!!

+1000000000000000000000000000

abcdefranklin · #12 03-27-2010, 12:48 AM

Oh i thought the point was to more or less close the hole up and start from scratch

bassteban · #13 03-27-2010, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abcdefranklin

Oh i thought the point was to more or less close the hole up and start from scratch

I wouldn't want to totally *close the hole* just make it tight, you know? One, two- maaaybe three. I've never used glue, but it seems to work for everyone else.

sidd_laroy · #14 03-27-2010, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

I wouldn't want to totally *close the hole* just make it tight, you know? One, two- maaaybe three. I've never used glue, but it seems to work for everyone else.

+1

abcdefranklin · #15 03-27-2010, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

I wouldn't want to totally *close the hole* just make it tight, you know? One, two- maaaybe three. I've never used glue, but it seems to work for everyone else.

Ok I'll have to give it a try Thanks.

but where would i put the glue all over the tooth pick or what?

bassteban · #16 03-27-2010, 01:05 AM

I'd just work a bit into the hole, then stuff the toothpick(s)in. I'd let it sit before screwing the strap button back on- so it will come back out if you ever need it to- but it seems more common for people to screw it right in w/the glue & all.

Edit: It shouldn't take a lot of glue to secure the wood- the screw will help hold it all together/in. I would let it all sit overnight before putting any weight on it(strapping the bass on & standing).

ausf · #17 03-27-2010, 01:20 AM

Lose the teflon tape. That's to stop leaks and make screw removal easy over time. You want anti-teflon here, which can be had with a toothpick.

The object is not to refill the hole, just to provide friction.

mcnach · #18 03-27-2010, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abcdefranklin

Ok I'll have to give it a try Thanks.

but where would i put the glue all over the tooth pick or what?

don't bother with glue... can be a bit messy and it's just not needed.

Depending on how loose the screw is, I'd put a toothpick, or two, maybe three... and try. If loose, add more. It can happen if the wood is very soft or there's a lot of damage in the hole due to wearing a bass with a loose screw for a long time.
I sometimes use matches too.
Just put one in as far as it goes, and break it off flush with the surface. REpeat as required. Reattach strap screw.

Check how well it's working regularly after you do it. If still not perfectly tight, add some more wood.

I've done this so many times.

abcdefranklin · #19 03-27-2010, 11:30 AM

Thanks so much guys I really appreciate it. I've been worried as hell. I'll try it out at my next band practice and let everyone know how it goes

JAGGL3S · #20 03-27-2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidd_laroy

stick some tooth picks in the holes.

+1,000,000,000,000.
Ive been doing that for years man