Machine Head Screws

4StringLoser · #1 10-03-2011, 02:55 AM

Hi Guys,

Last night I was Restringing my Bass and when I got to the G string, I unwound it and removed the string, when I got to rewinding the new G string, I found that the Tuning Peg was just spinning with no resistance.

I checked the back of the headstock and sure enough, a screw was missing from the Tuning machine

Have looked all around my room for about 2 hours for that screw and I just cant find it, so I'm giving up hope and am looking to buy a new screw for the machine head.

I would rather not buy the whole Tuner Machine (Strapped for Cash) but just the screw if possible. I was wondering if a generic machine head screw would do?

I have a Vintage reissue Series EJM96.
The product code of the Tuning Machine is :Wilkinson WJBL200

Any help will be greatly appreciated, as I cant wait to get back to playing my freshly stringed baby

96tbird · #2 10-03-2011, 05:33 AM

Take a screw with you to Lowes or home depot. They may have some that small. Check a large hobby shop, lots of tiny fasteners used in radio control. If not , Stewart Macdonald or Allparts online stores have all the stuff you'll ever need for your bass.

202dy · #3 10-03-2011, 06:13 AM

Chrome, black, gold, and especially nickel plated screws are pretty much exclusive to the musical instrument world. Therefore your local music store is the first line of defense.

Hardware stores and home centers sometimes have the right size, however, they never have chrome or nickel plated screws. Machine shop suppliers are a better bet.

Online specialty suppliers will have what you need, albeit at a premium price. There will be a minimum purchase and shipping.

Call you local music store. If you do not use this resource it will eventually go away.

4StringLoser · #4 10-03-2011, 08:27 AM

Thanks guys, Shall check out the places you've mentioned

aquateen · #5 10-05-2011, 04:18 AM

local repair shops have sold me screws for pickups, pickguards, etc. can't hurt to ask.

96tbird · #6 10-05-2011, 06:55 AM

Call you local music store. If you do not use this resource it will eventually go away.[/quote]

Too true. I live where no music shops are around so I have to mail order mostly. I keep forgetting that the majority of TB'ers likely live in urban areas! D'oh.

4StringLoser · #7 10-05-2011, 08:24 AM

I live in cornwall, Southwest England which for all you TB'ers in the good ol' USA is basically the back end of nowhere.

1 Decent Music shop within 10 Miles

202dy · #8 10-05-2011, 08:58 AM

Tough to make a living in the Music Store business. It is especially so in a small town. If there is one in your locale try to support them, no matter what your opinion is of the owner, personnel, or inventory. In a pinch they are the folks who will have what you need. To paraphrase, when you need the part tonight the internet will get it to you in a couple of days.

96tbird · #9 10-05-2011, 11:26 AM

I'm here in the Canadian prairie, 10 miles is nothing! Closest store to me is 100 miles!. 10 miles may seem like a distance in the UK, but not to a prairie dog! Perception is a funny thing.

bassbenj · #10 10-05-2011, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4StringLoser

Hi Guys,

Last night I was Restringing my Bass and when I got to the G string, I unwound it and removed the string, when I got to rewinding the new G string, I found that the Tuning Peg was just spinning with no resistance.

I checked the back of the headstock and sure enough, a screw was missing from the Tuning machine

Have looked all around my room for about 2 hours for that screw and I just cant find it, so I'm giving up hope and am looking to buy a new screw for the machine head.

I would rather not buy the whole Tuner Machine (Strapped for Cash) but just the screw if possible. I was wondering if a generic machine head screw would do?

I know this theory will sound nuts, but I SWEAR it's all true. The physics of the situation is that when a small object (like a tiny screw) is dropped toward the floor, there is a finite probability that the floor will open up and the screw will shoot through the floor into time! The smaller the item the greater the probability that this will happen. Buildings virtually never do it. With tiny camera screws the probability is nearly 100%.

Once a screw shoots into time we find that it performs a circular orbit in time. The smaller the item the larger the orbit and the longer it will take for the object to return to the point of impact! But be assured that sooner or later the floor will one day go "patoooie" and spit that tiny screw right back on to the very spot you check before 100 times! IT WILL HAPPEN!

But what to do in the meantime? My advice is to go to any place that repairs basses. The repair guy will almost always have a "junk box" filled with all manner of screws, brackets and other gadgets and gizmoz taken from old instruments. And often (if you look desperate enough) you can get a proper screw (though may not be the right color) free or certainly for not more than a small amount.

96tbird · #11 10-06-2011, 12:04 AM

walterw · #12 10-06-2011, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbenj

Once a screw shoots into time we find that it performs a circular orbit in time. The smaller the item the larger the orbit and the longer it will take for the object to return to the point of impact! But be assured that sooner or later the floor will one day go "patoooie" and spit that tiny screw right back on to the very spot you check before 100 times! IT WILL HAPPEN!

the easiest way to get the missing screw to finally return to our timeline is to go out and buy a replacement, whereupon the original will surely reappear

4StringLoser · #13 10-07-2011, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

the easiest way to get the missing screw to finally return to our timeline is to go out and buy a replacement, whereupon the original will surely reappear

and Sure enough, That is what Happened!

4StringLoser · #14 10-07-2011, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96tbird

I'm here in the Canadian prairie, 10 miles is nothing! Closest store to me is 100 miles!. 10 miles may seem like a distance in the UK, but not to a prairie dog! Perception is a funny thing.

If I could drive, 10 miles would be nothing...but I've onyl got the luxury of walking or public transport

but I see where your coming from, 100 miles would get me through one city and to another.

Perspective is odd, because to me, Cornwall is pretty much the most isolated place in Britain (except for the good old Scottish Highlands/Welsh Beacons).

it's the kind of place where you 99% of peoples ancestors are farmers, fishermen or miners and if you wear a suit you're looked at as an upper class snob.
Really not the best place to grow up, though, can't complain, beaches, wildlife and some of the best surf in the world all make for an at least mediocre summer

96tbird · #15 10-07-2011, 07:19 AM

Cornwall? Luxury, when I was a child we lived in shoebox middle of the road and our father would thrash us to sleep without any supper. If we were lucky.

I hope being from UK you recognize that, lol. Anyway just the way you said the ten miles bit made me chuckle. Just having you on. I am Jealous of you though because you can stroll to the corner for a Boddington's and I have to go 30 miles to enjoy one from a can!