Query about strap lock problem

[jn_93]

Hi, I got a MIA P Bass on Thursday and got some strap locks to go with it... my problem is that the screw keeps shearing out of the body. I had this problem a few years ago with another bass and a bit of super glue around the screw fixed the problem, but I was wondering if there was any other way to stop this from permanently happening to me, as it was a very expensive bass and I don't want to use glue if I can avoid it.

Thanks

[somegeezer]

I think some people use wood filler? Then screw the screw in and let it dry. But don't take my word for it. I haven't used strap locks myself.

[MisterWraith]

Originally Posted by jn_93

Hi, I got a MIA P Bass on Thursday and got some strap locks to go with it... my problem is that the screw keeps shearing out of the body. I had this problem a few years ago with another bass and a bit of super glue around the screw fixed the problem, but I was wondering if there was any other way to stop this from permanently happening to me, as it was a very expensive bass and I don't want to use glue if I can avoid it.

Thanks

I have used wooden matchsticks and or toothpicks and wood glue to build up the inside of the hole in cases like this. For a very expensive bass, IMHO it would be better to use a little glue than to suffer the possible consequences of a dropped bass.

[walldaja]

I had a screw stripping out of the body and cured it with a toothpick jammed into the hole with wood glue (Elmers). Solid as can be now.

[berwick63]

Stuff a few toothpicks in the hole, as many as you can fit. cut them off flush, then screw the strap button back on. Make sure not to over tighten it as it will strip just as it is now.

[Old Joe]

Originally Posted by MisterWraith

I have used wooden matchsticks and or toothpicks and wood glue to build up the inside of the hole in cases like this. For a very expensive bass, IMHO it would be better to use a little glue than to suffer the possible consequences of a dropped bass.

This. I have used bamboo cabob sticks to fill holes in a basswood bass body. Then drilled pilot holes before putting in the screws.

That said, for a MIA Fender, I'd probably have a qualified Fender tech install the strap locks. That's just me though.

[anonymous122511]

Originally Posted by berwick63

Stuff a few toothpicks in the hole, as many as you can fit. cut them off flush, then screw the strap button back on. Make sure not to over tighten it as it will strip just as it is now.

This is all that's required...you don't even need to cut 'em, snapping them off works just fine. Toothpicks are something found in every pro repair shop.
Don't over-complicate this.

[JTE]

It's stock Schaller strap locks, right. The threads are pretty shallow on those, so I wouldn't trust toothpicks. The RIGHT way (as I learned from John Carruthers in his old Guitar Player Mag columns) is to partially fill the hole with a bit of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, Arm & Hammer®), about a third of the way and drop some Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue®) in. It'll puff a bit. Repeat until the hole is full. Then drill a CORRECTLY sized pilot hole (no bigger than the diameter of the inner shaft) and reinstall them. Might be "overkill", but the toothpicks won't give you any better grip for those small threads than the original wood.

And I've used the toothpick repair over a period of 30 years on other strap buttons that have bigger threads without problems, it's for strap buttons with small threads that really need help.


John

[Tigger Bangdang]

Or the dowel route