Son of a B#%^@! Strap Locks Broke

**bobbybass85** · #1 01-31-2007, 11:08 AM

SO i'm at band practice, sitting on my amp groovin... we start to rock so i stand up... and next thing i know i'm holding my neck about two inches off the floor. My Schaller strap loks stripped straight out of the wood. Is this something that is a quick fix at home or should i just pony up $20 bucks and have my luthier fix it?

tplyons · #2 01-31-2007, 11:12 AM

Happens all the time with improper installation the first time around. When using differnet screws in the same hole, always pack the original hole with toothpicks and woodglue, let set for 24 hours, trim the ends off carefully, and screw the new screw in.

Yes, it sonds crude, but is the most widely accepted way to repair this.

Basso54 · #3 01-31-2007, 11:52 AM

I prefer toothpicks and Epoxy, but it's the same result. They stay in.

saxnbass · #4 01-31-2007, 11:58 AM

+1 on the toothpicks

Techmonkey · #5 01-31-2007, 12:06 PM

yup... go for the toothpicks. tried filling it one time and redrilling and it just stripped again, never had a problem with toothpicks.

be thankful it didn't happen at a gig... and be thankful it didn't happen at a gig in the middle of the guitar/bass tradeoffs in "addicted to that rush", when you were at your most arrogant...

aye, that wasn't a fun night. the seller of my bass mentioned the strap pin being a bit dodgy, but of course, "nah it won't happen to me!"

bassist 4 life · #6 01-31-2007, 01:01 PM

Happened to me...

i took toothpicks and covered them with glue and put them in the hole.. Then i screwed the screw back and waited overnight for it to dry... Its basically making refilling the hole.

Ampeg SVT · #7 01-31-2007, 02:16 PM

happened to my stingray, i just use the schaller strap buttons without the locks. the toothpick thing works really well.

fenderx55 · #8 01-31-2007, 03:09 PM

I filled the hole with superglue, shoved some toothpicks in, let it sit over night, trimmed, redrilled, and presto.

The toothpicks are basically bonding with the body.

Jayhawk · #9 01-31-2007, 05:00 PM

Same idea, but with wooden matchstick (with tip broken off)and wood glue works too. Solid as a rock.

billbass1 · #10 01-31-2007, 05:19 PM

One more thing with the tooth picks.
My Guitar / Bass Tech advsies putting a little bees wax on the
threads of all wood screws,
Makes em easier screwing in and out and will still
stay in securelly surely.

Oh, by the way, I am new here, Hello to all.........

skiscem · #11 01-31-2007, 05:30 PM

dude this thread is really useful, i didnt have idea about the toothpick thing i was just going to screw the thing straight,,, thanks

Johnny Crab · #12 01-31-2007, 05:43 PM

Since I play T-Birds(see avatar) and they look like this if you let them hit the floor:

AND....I've had Dunlop's screws get loose in some of the woods(Epiphone T-Bird most notably the REAR screws, never happened in Gibsons).....this stuff

gets put in the screw holes AND a light bit on the screw threads before screws are put in for good.

SBassman · #13 01-31-2007, 07:01 PM

Wood glue = good
toothpicks = good

More permanent stuff like epoxy or super glue, in this case = less good

Wood filler putty = also good

**bobbybass85** · #14 02-01-2007, 08:36 AM

Really!? I would have never guessed something as simple as toothpicks and wood glue would be secure enough to hold a bass during play. Great to know thanks!

MeYHymN · #15 02-02-2007, 07:32 AM

You'd be suprised at how many doors are being held up with the very same thing. Carpenters have used that trick for years when the need arises. If you don't have toothpicks, a sharp knife, a scrap piece of wood, and some very careful widdling will get you what you need. I've also used sawdust mixed w/ woodglue and used as a paste in stripped holes.

Scottgun · #16 02-02-2007, 07:38 AM

I use toothpicks and good ol' Elmers glue and don't even let it sit overnight. Never had one pull out again after this treatment and I've done it on several basses which included some silly Cinderella bass flipping.

Scott

fenderx55 · #17 02-02-2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottgun

I use toothpicks and good ol' Elmers glue and don't even let it sit overnight. Never had one pull out again after this treatment and I've done it on several basses which included some silly Cinderella bass flipping.

Scott

You probably don't really need to let it sit, but I figure better safe than sorry.

**bobbybass85** · #18 02-02-2007, 09:31 AM

Awesome, well i'll give that a try then! Thanks a bunch, i was pissed thinking this was gonna be something that was gonna be a pain to fix

toman · #19 02-02-2007, 10:01 PM

Sure, toothpicks and glue will work, but that's a little ghetto... How about properly plugging the hole and reinstalling the button? A little extra work might be worth it to know your instrument isn't held together with bailing wire and chewing gum...

ibnzneksrul · #20 02-02-2007, 10:08 PM

Straplocks suck. Do the repair but replace them with some Music Man strap buttons.