Control Plate Screws Too Loose- kinda new to repair work.

Disraeli Gears · #1 02-26-2010, 02:25 PM

The screws for the control plate on my Geddy Lee Jazz Bass are too loose- it's to the point where the plate literally pops off when I unplug unless I hold it down. It's not the stock plate (running a VT/VT stacked knobs setup), and I'm not sure if the screws are stock or not.

I don't really know that much about repair work, so any help would be appreciated!

mongo2 · #2 02-26-2010, 02:58 PM

I'd plug the holes and drill new pilot holes.

tdvt · #3 02-26-2010, 05:51 PM

Snip off the end of a toothpick just a little shorter than a plate screw (so it will be flush with the face of the body when you put it in the screw hole), coat it liberally with wood glue (Titebond, Elmer's) & place it in the screw hole, then screw in the plate screw so that it's snug, but don't over tighten.

Jazzerbone · #4 02-26-2010, 05:53 PM

Sounds like the wood on the bass is stripped out. If you don't feel comfortable with the first suggestion and there's no one to do that, you can break toothpicks off into the holes as a filler and screw into that. It's only really a temp fix but it's easy and cheap.

Disraeli Gears · #5 02-26-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzerbone

Sounds like the wood on the bass is stripped out. If you don't feel comfortable with the first suggestion and there's no one to do that, you can break toothpicks off into the holes as a filler and screw into that. It's only really a temp fix but it's easy and cheap.

Yeah, I'll probably do that for now. I know a shop that could probably do a decent job at plugging and re-drilling, but I'm a bit short on cash right now. Thanks everyone!

Steveaux · #6 02-27-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzerbone

Sounds like the wood on the bass is stripped out. If you don't feel comfortable with the first suggestion and there's no one to do that, you can break toothpicks off into the holes as a filler and screw into that. It's only really a temp fix but it's easy and cheap.

That's why I have one that I fixed 20+ years ago and it's still going.

donut · #7 02-27-2010, 07:36 AM

I did the following when adding straplocks to one of my basses:

- Cut the heads off a few matches
- Ram them in the hole and trim them off
- Screw the screw in once then remove it
- Repeat until it feels secure.

mongo2 · #8 02-27-2010, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disraeli Gears

Yeah, I'll probably do that for now. I know a shop that could probably do a decent job at plugging and re-drilling, but I'm a bit short on cash right now.

Actually they'd probably just jam a piece of toothpick or dowel in there.