Input jack damaged!

[Col.Crookshanks]

Hello Talkbass,

I'm having some issues and would love some help. My bass fell and landed on the input jack while my cable was in. Unfortunatley as a result the screws for the jack were jarred and took out enough of the wood surrounding them so that the they no longer bite. What is the best way to take care of this situation? Apply some wood putty in the holes? I'm really unsure what could be a possible fix. I'm hoping there is a process that is fairly simple.
Responses are greatly appreciated.

[wilser]

wood putty is not the best solution for this. I would recommend you put a drop of super glue, jam some toothpicks in the screwholes quickly, then put more superglue on it. Let it cure for a couple of hours, then cut the toothpicks flush. You can the drill small pilot holes for the screws.

[maxgrant]

Originally Posted by Col.Crookshanks

Hello Talkbass,

I'm having some issues and would love some help. My bass fell and landed on the input jack while my cable was in. Unfortunatley as a result the screws for the jack were jarred and took out enough of the wood surrounding them so that the they no longer bite. What is the best way to take care of this situation? Apply some wood putty in the holes? I'm really unsure what could be a possible fix. I'm hoping there is a process that is fairly simple.
Responses are greatly appreciated.

I had this issue on my old Univox bass. What I ended up doing, after seeing that the previous owne had simply drilled new holes smaller and brought the halves of the jack together, was I believe, drill a new set of holes to the outside and make my own jack plate out of styrene. But if you don't want to drill on your bass, I'd take it to someone who knows what they're doing and see if they can fill the original holes and re-start them.

[SC Bassboy]

You can always drill out the existing screw holes and glue wooden dowels in them. Let that dry properly and essentially drill new screw holes. I've actually done this several times. Works well. Or you might simply drill the holes in the jack plate to accomodate larger screws.

[Col.Crookshanks]

I'll look into those options. Thanks for the suggestions.

[SDB Guitars]

Originally Posted by wilser

...put a drop of super glue, jam some toothpicks in the screwholes quickly, then put more superglue on it...

+1 this works amazingly well... Toothpicks have been used to "tighten up" screw holes for years and years... I remember using them on my '80's P-bass to tighten up the strap buttons, which keps working their way out. Worked like a charm. I've even done this on bolt-on necks, in a pinch (dowelling and re-drilling is a better way, of course, but sometimes emergency repairs are in order)... just be sure to saturate with superglue, and use several toothpicks.