Need help: ID'ing screws on MIM P-Bass

[Legattabass]

Hey TB,

I made the switch to a mighty mite J neck on my P bass last night (waaaaay more comfortable!). While swapping the tuning machines, I went overboard with torque and stripped a few of the screws holding the tuners to the headstock. I'm left with two questions:

1) Does anyone know the size/specs of the screws used for MIM basses, or have I missed the information lying out there in plain sight?

2) Could I use this as an opportunity to put in stronger screws? I don't know much about the metal they're made of, but if theres a stronger, less strippable material available, I'll swap them all.

Thanks TB
Edit: For clarification, I'm an amateur with limited tools, and did not pre-drill holes. I will be happy to buy a set of drill bits of this is a must.

[Pilgrim]

I assume you pre-drilled holes for the screws, right? Those headstocks are hard enough that it's easy to break screws off if you skip that step.

Did you strip the threads on the screws, or strip out the wood where the screws are inserted? If A, just get new screws of the same type - they're all you need. If (B) the wood, then the glue and toothpick repair should work...but I welcome BTDT's from others. I haven't had that specific problem so my answer is a best guess.

Those screws don't have a lot of load to hold, so they don't have to be secured like neck screws.

[Legattabass]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I assume you pre-drilled holes for the screws, right? Those headstocks are hard enough that it's easy to break screws off if you skip that step.

Did you strip the threads on the screws, or strip out the wood where the screws are inserted? If A, just get new screws of the same type - they're all you need. If (B) the wood, then the glue and toothpick repair should work...but I welcome BTDT's from others. I haven't had that specific problem so my answer is a best guess.

Those screws don't have a lot of load to hold, so they don't have to be secured like neck screws.

Heh, good catch: I did not pre-drill holes, but I screwed them in extremely slowly to the best of my ability (and unscrewed them to remove wood shavings) to try and compensate. It was in the home stretch that I applied too much torque and stripped the head of the screw (where the phillips head makes contact). It looks as if the threading is ok.

I plan to follow your advice on A. I'm just trying to get an easy answer for the size of the screws they use. Didn't know if it was available information, or something that needs to be done after an hour of comparisons in the screw isle of Home Depot.

Good to know the tuner screws aren't holding the whole bass together. Though I'm OCD about it and want everything to be secure.

[rob7]

sounds like you havnt drilled the holes..its a must

[Legattabass]

Originally Posted by rob7

sounds like you havnt drilled the holes..its a must

I'm getting that idea. I should have included in the first post that I'm an amateur and beginner. My toolkit is pretty sparce...