help getting the back plate on my bass OFF

[andrew_over]

Hey ya'll i've got a little dilemma on my hands. i've got a Fender Precision Bass Special Active, and the back cavity (where the 9v is, and other stuff-i don't know i've never opened it!!) will NOT open. being the most careful ever trying to not scratch/harm the finish, i've found the two smallest (i'm talkin 1/8th inch across) flathead screwdrivers to "wedge" between the body and plate, trying to lift up the plate. DEFINATLY does not work, i tried for about 30 minutes.


So, any of you know how to open the plate up? please help

[megadan]

I know this is a stupid question, but... you did unscrew it first, right?

[andrew_over]

Originally Posted by megadan

I know this is a stupid question, but... you did unscrew it first, right?

lol, how did i know someone would ask that yes i did

[Pilgrim]

This was asked last week. trying to pry it off is likely to chip the finish.

Try a vacuum cleaner - stick it to the plate.

Or - stick a slightly larger screw into one of the screw holes and give it a single turn, just to engage the plastic - then pull.

If you're desperate, you could even start a new hole in the plate and screw a hook or eye screw to it to give you a purchase.

But I suggest not prying around the edges if it's that stuck...unless perhaps you can put a couple layers of masking tape right up to the edge of the hole, and pry with a thin blade while using the tape rather than a painted edge as the fulcrum.

[andrew_over]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

This was asked last week. trying to pry it off is likely to chip the finish.

Try a vacuum cleaner - stick it to the plate.

Or - stick a slightly larger screw into one of the screw holes and give it a single turn, just to engage the plastic - then pull.

If you're desperate, you could even start a new hole in the plate and screw a hook or eye screw to it to give you a purchase.

But I suggest not prying around the edges if it's that stuck...unless perhaps you can put a couple layers of masking tape right up to the edge of the hole, and pry with a thin blade while using the tape rather than a painted edge as the fulcrum.

ummm the slightly larger screw idea-i'm really uneasy doing that myself this bass has had WAY too many screw/threaded problems. i think i'll try the masking tape+thin blade idea. i'll check back with the results. thanks!

[metallicafan18]

Turn the bass upside down so that the plate in down (will fall to the floor), then while it's upside down just tap one side of the plate with like 3 finger tips kinda hard.

Worked for me.

[John Bigboote]

Suction cup from the kitchen? I'd also be tempted to unscrew the jack, push it aside, and use a thin screwdriver to push it open from the inside!

HTH,

-jb

[JustDavid]

I like the slightly-larger screw idea. In just enough to grip the plastic, & the area affected should be just the area the normal screwheads cover.

This sounds too stuck for duct tape stuck to the plastic to solve.

I'd keep those small screwdrivers handy to use as pry bars &/or to maintain any lift the knife method achieves. Masking tape all around the cover seems a good idea.

Let us know what works, & if these don't. Good luck.

[JustDavid]

Originally Posted by John Bigboote

Suction cup from the kitchen?

We may have a winner!!

[Band Dad]

Try a few seconds with a hair dryer, then the other suggestions. I love Pilgrim's suggestion about the vacuum cleaner. I'm always learning sumpthin' on TB.

[Lurker79]

Originally Posted by John Bigboote

Suction cup from the kitchen?

HTH,

-jb

Done deal.

[lunarpollen]

If you can get the screws out of the plate, can you hook something in through one of the screw holes and pull the plate off?

[nortonrider]

Mine was a really tight fit also. Screwdrivers were too big so I used a hobby razor (exacto) knife. It was thin enough to fit in the gap.
Once I got the plastic cover off I sanded the edges just a bit to increase the clearance and haven't had a problem removing it since.

[andrew_over]

Originally Posted by metallicafan18

Turn the bass upside down so that the plate in down (will fall to the floor), then while it's upside down just tap one side of the plate with like 3 finger tips kinda hard.

Worked for me.

uh no

[andrew_over]

Originally Posted by John Bigboote

Suction cup from the kitchen? I'd also be tempted to unscrew the jack, push it aside, and use a thin screwdriver to push it open from the inside!

HTH,

-jb

great idea!! well the jack is on the bottom but maybe i can take the mid knob out and push through from that....i'll try it!

[andrew_over]

Originally Posted by Band Dad

Try a few seconds with a hair dryer, then the other suggestions. I love Pilgrim's suggestion about the vacuum cleaner. I'm always learning sumpthin' on TB.

lol, always learnin somethin is right haha. i'll use the hair dryer to loosen it up, thanks

[andrew_over]

Originally Posted by nortonrider

Mine was a really tight fit also. Screwdrivers were too big so I used a hobby razor (exacto) knife. It was thin enough to fit in the gap.
Once I got the plastic cover off I sanded the edges just a bit to increase the clearance and haven't had a problem removing it since.

good call about sanding the edges, i'm going to do that if it cannot be removed a SECOND time

[fretlessman71]

You could also just sand one corner to a barely noticeable flat edge - just enough to get a screwdriver in the next time.