Strap Lock fail..now what?

NathanTbass · #1 09-07-2010, 07:23 AM

My strap lock broke off during a show. Now I have a broken screw stuck in the strap peg hole. How do I get the broken screw out?
Its on a jazz bass so I'm afraid putting a new hole above or below it is going to throw the balance off...
Suggestions?

Gord_oh · #2 09-07-2010, 07:38 AM

you could bore it out to get the broken screw, then fill it and seal it.
seems like a lot of trouble.
i probably would just drill a new hole.

was it a clean break? any pics?

Disco Batman · #3 09-07-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NathanTbass

My strap lock broke off during a show. Now I have a broken screw stuck in the strap peg hole. How do I get the broken screw out?
Its on a jazz bass so I'm afraid putting a new hole above or below it is going to throw the balance off...
Suggestions?

Is there enough screw sticking out to get a set of pliers on it?

IF not you could drill the screw out. Use a smaller bit and be really really careful. Or you could always take it to a guitar repair shop if you are concerned about doing it yourself.

Jumbotron · #4 09-07-2010, 07:39 AM

Where is the screw broken? If it sticks out at all, you can extract it with pliers, then drill out the hole, glue a toothpick or dowel in there, then put a new screw in.
If the broken screw is inside the body, it gets more complicated.

EDIT: Hey, simultaneous identical advice!

DrewinHouston · #5 09-07-2010, 07:53 AM

A screw extractor would work, although you might have difficulty finding one small enough to work on your straplock screw (see link below for a screw extractor). If you can access the screw at all, you might be able to cut a notch in it so that you could use a screwdriver to get it out. There are lots of similar discussions on this site that have more information.

http://www.amazon.com/Alden-8440P-Gr...=39T8QLT63N7PJ

mech · #6 09-07-2010, 07:53 AM

If you can't get to it with pliers......

Take the other strap lock off so you can use it's screw for reference.

Get a piece of thin wall metal tubing about three inches long that will barely fit over the good screw you removed.

File teeth into one end of the tubing. Mark the length of the good screw on the tubing minus 1/4", from the toothed end.

Chuck the tubing in a reversible drill. Place the toothed end of the tubing over the broken off screw. Run the drill BACKWARDS and apply moderate force.

Pull the tubing out every few seconds to clear the chips and dust.

With any luck the tubing will catch on the broken screw and back it out. If not, drill to the length mark on the tubing and then use a small screwdriver or needle nose pliers to break off the plug.

If the old screw backed out, you may be able to toothpick the hole use a slightly longer one and just re-attach the straplock.

If the plug had to be broken out, you need to drill a hole so you can use a common size wooden dowel and glue the dowel into the hole. 1/4" diameter should do it. Let the glue dry, trim the end of the dowel, and drill a pilot hole for the new screw.

If you don't have experience with hand tools, take it and this info to someone who does.

Good luck, mech

NathanTbass · #7 09-07-2010, 08:49 AM

Thanks for the help guys...it was a clean break..no screw visible to grab with needle-nose unfortunately. Ill try these.
Just trying to save a few bucks by doing it myself.

**iriegnome** · #8 09-07-2010, 09:30 AM

Redrill a new hole next to the old one and put the strap lock back on..
Easy peasy. It will als cover the old broken screw.

walterw · #9 09-07-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mech

Get a piece of thin wall metal tubing...

File teeth into one end of the tubing...

Chuck the tubing in a reversible drill...

Run the drill BACKWARDS and apply moderate force...

this,

Quote:

Originally Posted by iriegnome

Redrill a new hole next to the old one and put the strap lock back on..

not this

you can find thin brass tubing at hobby shops.

darkstorm · #10 09-09-2010, 12:11 PM

Putting a new hole a quarter inch above or below the old one that has screw trapped in it shouldnt affect bass's balance noticeable. Maybe have to readjust strap length slightly.

walterw · #11 09-09-2010, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkstorm

Putting a new hole a quarter inch above or below the old one that has screw trapped in it shouldnt affect bass's balance noticeable. Maybe have to readjust strap length slightly.

sure, it won't hurt anything, it's just a half-assed, ugly (and kind of irreversible) way of doing it

darkstorm · #12 09-09-2010, 10:08 PM

walterw...>"sure, it won't hurt anything, it's just a half-assed, ugly (and kind of irreversible) way of doing it"

Well, if its like I think from the description, then filling over the old hole so its no longer visible and making new one near it wont look half assed. As the place where old hole was wont be visible except maybe by very close examination. Much easier then the method suggested of boring the old screw remains out. And no one would likely be able to tell the new strap button location was a new one. Ive done a few strap button button relocations. Done carefully the old screw hole is no longer visible, nor any signs that there was ever a hole there if you do it well.

Pilgrim · #13 09-09-2010, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

sure, it won't hurt anything, it's just a half-assed, ugly (and kind of irreversible) way of doing it

I agree with Walter. Leaving such a problem - even if it's not visible - would bother me. I guess it depends on whether you like to actually repair things, or cover up the faults but leave them functional. One can make a case for either, perhaps making different decisions depending on the situation.