Removing broken screw from headstock

[Nedmundo]

Yesterday I installed a Hipshot drop-D tuner on my new G&L L-1500. Unfortunately, the drop tuner's screws were a little old, and I think slightly bigger than the original G&L screws. I had to use the drop-tuner's screws because of their flat heads, and one of the heads twisted right off the shaft when I tried to get it low enough for the mechanism to work.

So now I have a small screw shaft embedded in the back of the headstock. I thought this wouldn't matter, but I think the plate is rattling against the headstock.

I can think of two approaches: just drill out the screw, and install a new one, or; drill a wider hole, fill with glue and dowel, and then drill a new hole. I suppose I could try the first, and if it doesn't work, go with the second option. Either way, I think I need a tech to do this, because I don't have a drill press and thus can't get precise enough. That's important, because I have a gorgeous painted headstock, and don't want to drill all the way through!

I doubt I could get enough bite on the screw shaft to remove it without drilling, but if y'all have any tricks up your sleeves, let me know.

Thanks!

[pkr2]

The challenge, of course, is to to get the stub out without damaging the bass. Your best bet very well may be to bite the bullet and let a tech do it.

[202dy]

Here are some tools that have been useful in the past:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sc...actor_Set.html

These extractors work pretty well. They have hardened steel tips that dig into the softer metal of the screw shaft. As soon as the screw starts to move keep moving the screw out of the hole. Sometimes if you stop it can be difficult to get a good "bite" on the screw again.

Good Luck.

[Nedmundo]

Thanks 202DY. I was wondering if something like that existed. I'll talk to my tech about it, but I might order those extractors regardless because they look pretty useful.

[Nedmundo]

Actually, false alarm on the tuner. It's the end of the truss rod rattling against the headstock, which sometimes goes away when I hold the tuner. So now I've got that issue...it never ends!