Need some advise (strap lock content)

sublimestylee · #1 03-15-2010, 08:18 AM

I recently just bought a bass from some guy and he just had screws going through his strap into the guitar. He Included the factory strap locks but they do no good now since the screws he used were bigger around. Anyways my question is, is there a replacement set of strap locks that use a bigger screw so they will stay in nice and firm?

tk421 · #2 03-15-2010, 08:29 AM

you need 3 things.

wood glue.
toothpicks.
spare time.

basically, how ive done it in the past, is to take the top off the wood glue bottle, dip the toothpick (wooden ones, please!) in the glue, and stick it down in the hole. break off excess. now screw in the proper sized screw most of the way (don't torque it down or anything yet).

walk away for at least 12 hours.

after completely dried, unscrew aforementioned screws, and pray the toothpick stays in the hole. if it did, you can now put the straplock buttons back in place, being careful not to force it ... if you overtighten it, you are back at square one.

R. Laevinus · #3 03-15-2010, 09:14 AM

^^ That'll work, but I'd just use epoxy.

Hike down to your local hardware store, pick up a syringe of 5-minute epoxy. Whip some up as per instructions on the tube, pack the goo into the hole, insert screw of choice, wait 1 hour.

Then rock. That screw will never - and I mean never - come outta there.

Frettage · #4 03-15-2010, 09:18 AM

Best bet: Wood filler. Remove the screw. Fill with wood filler and let it dry. Then you can screw whatever size you need in there, and it is removable. It's the closest thing to the way it originally was.

sublimestylee · #5 03-15-2010, 10:20 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'm gonna go to my local hardware store and get some epoxy after work. Sounds quicker, and easier.

tk421 · #6 03-15-2010, 11:16 AM

just keep in mind, if you use epoxy, screw the buttons on while it's still wet. otherwise, you will never get em in there.

i suggest wood glue or wood filler if you think at any point you might need to change strap buttons for any reason. Epoxy is more permanent than HSV1.

R. Laevinus · #7 03-15-2010, 11:36 AM

...if you're going to use epoxy, here's some more in-depth instructions and hints:

For mixing, use a scrap of tinfoil, as it will ruin any dish/surface you use to mix it in/on. Also, use a disposable chopstick to mix it - be careful not to get it on you.

When you're slopping the gunk in the hole, only fill the hole part-way up - half or two-thirds - as the screw will also take up space, and you don't want the epoxy overflowing onto the finish.

Have a rag handy to wipe any off you/the finish.

And like tk421 says, be sure to put the screws in before the stuff sets.

And one final word of caution - you will NEVER get those screws out of there. Just something to bear in mind - I've epoxied Schaller locking strap buttons into a couple of axes and never regretted it, but be sure you intend to use - forever - whatever buttons you mount.

sublimestylee · #8 03-15-2010, 02:21 PM

What is the best way to pack the epoxy in the hole? Its just barely a tad bit bigger then the hole a factory screw will fit in... would i be fine using a tooth pick to get it all in there?

tk421 · #9 03-15-2010, 02:40 PM

should work just fine

stflbn · #10 03-15-2010, 02:44 PM

Based on past threads here on talkbass....

Just use wood glue and toothpicks. Epoxy is permanent and you yourself, or another future owner of the bass WILL eventually want that screw out for some reason at some time.

Trust me.

The wood glue and a few toothpicks will fill that hole up great and the screw WILL come back out when you want it to. Furniture builders/repairers use the toothpick as a value'd solution to loose screw holes also.

Don't go permanent when there is a better long term solution out there.

Mad Russian · #11 03-15-2010, 02:49 PM

Use gorilla glue - its hard enough and wont pull out (like wood filler) and you can still remove the screw if you wish.

Bygde · #12 03-15-2010, 02:59 PM

I think you should fill the holes like the people above have described , and get some Schaller straplocks. I have Schallers om my main bass, and they are solid.

sublimestylee · #13 03-15-2010, 03:00 PM

If i did gorilla glue method would i still have to use toothpics? or would it just be able to stick the screw in?

MatticusMania · #14 03-15-2010, 03:07 PM

Another thing you can use are those drywall screw anchors. Theyre those little plastic pieces that expand as a screw is screwed into them. Ive used them on all my basses, especially when straploks are concerned.

walterw · #15 03-15-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Russian

Use gorilla glue

oh god no!

that stuff foams and expands, making a mess, and is not even as strong as doing it the right way, which is toothpicks and wood glue. not epoxy, not filler, not superglue, wood glue.

slather thickly, jam in and snip off, screw the button in tight, get on with your day.