Fixing strap holders...?

[TkGhost]

Ok

I have a Tanglewood Rebel with a basswood body, and the strap holder has over time come loose, so much so that the screw no longer had any purchase on the body.

I decided to replace this screw with one which fitted through the strap holder, but was just bigger than the previous screw, so it had some purchase.

It has become apparent that solution only lasted about 2 months, if that.

I would like to know what, if any options I have. I have a gig on Friday, so a temporary solution would be great, but a more long term fix would go down much better.

Thanks



Also, it has been suggested to me that I could just make the strap holder's hole slightly larger, thus allowing a larger screw through...?

[Croox]

toothpicks and wood glue, did it a while ago on a bass which then got lots of play never had any problems after.

[guy n. cognito]

Well, you have two options:

1. The Professional Way: Drill out the existing hole, making it much larger than the current hole. Insert a hardwood dowel of corresponding size to the hole you just drilled, coating it in a good quality wood glue before insertion. Trim the dowel to the proper length, then sand to approximate the shape of your bass horn. Allow to dry. Redrill a pilot hole for your screw in the dowel and reinsert the screw.
2. The Easy Way: Coat two or three toothpicks with a good wood glue and instert them in the hole. Cut them off with a knife at the top of the hole. While still wet, hand screw the screw back into the same hole. Once tight, allow to dry. Fixed.

I have fixed a number of stripped screw holes over the last 20 years using the second method without ever having a problem. It would be the method I would suggest for fixing this problem on a low-end bass.

[elpezpr]

Strap holder screws on bass aren't staying put

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archiv.../t-139811.html

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archiv.../t-146490.html

How to repair extra strap button drill holes?

[Cryhavok]

I had this problem when one of my screws stripped the hole on the strap post. I was, however, able to get the original screw back in the in hole and it hasn't come out since.

You need some soft toothpicks and some wood glue. Clean out the screw hole nicely so you can squeeze a bit of glue in there. Once you've got a bit of glue in the hole, cram about 4 toothpicks into the hole so they're nice and snug. Some glue will probably ooze out when you do this, so keep a rag handy so you don't get glue all over your bass. Let that sit for 24+ hours so the wood glue gets a nice bond between the toothpicks and the inside of the screw hole. Once it's dry, break away the part of the toothpicks that is sticking out of your bass, so it is nice and flush with the body. Now you should be able to screw your post back into the (now filled) hole. The toothpicks should be soft enough to let the screw in, but the additional wood they provide will give your screw something to grip so it will no longer strip. It will be a little tough to get started, but take it slow and easy and you will be able to get your screw in.

[Fretlessboy]

I prefer hardwood shish-ka-bob scewers myself. Soft wood toothpicks are just that, soft wood. If you use hard wood the need for glue disappears if you want it to. The hard wood holds up better.I prefer 3 going in. Remember this, when the hole strips out it is ussually NOT by much. If you use 3 or 4 make sure you screw the screw in to the center of them all so there is equal spread off all sides. I have also done a few with a molley which have never pulled out.