Cleaning saddle height adjustment inserts

[Schweedy]

I built a p-bass from selected parts a while back, and after assembly the initial setup went perfectly. Not long ago it came time to finally change the strings, and after putting them on noticed I'd have to adjust the saddle height a bit. Obviously not a big deal at all... except that most of the saddle height adjustment screws were now completely locked up.

I bought a Hipshot type-a for this bass, so it's not like a skimped on quality, nor had it been years and years since initial setup... but nevertheless the screws were still way too locked up to be moved with an Allen wrench. Stripping them out was all I was accomplishing there.

The screws were coated black, so I assumed that the issue was with the screws(logic being that either the coating was too thick, or the different materials caused binding etc...) so I sent an email to Hipshot asking for info on which screws to buy as a replacement, which they kindly provided, and today I finally got those plain stainless steel screws in.

I used pliers to back out the old screws and went to put the new ones in but quickly found, somewhat to my surprise, that the issue wasn't with the old screws. The new screws were meeting immediate resistance and were starting to lock up themselves as I tried screwing them in the threaded inserts in the saddles. So obviously the issue is with the threaded inserts, and I don't really have any immediate plan on how to clean those out.

I'm sure it'll probably involve putting some type of solvent in there, but it's not like I can use a rag to wipe up the threads. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Jazz Ad]

It's a case of unmount strings and saddles, clean everything manually or through ultrasonic, put everything back together and see if it works.
We're talking fine machinery here. If you apply enough torque to strip the screws you're trying too hard. There is something else going on.

 

[Schweedy]

It's a case of unmount strings and saddles, clean everything manually or through ultrasonic, put everything back together and see if it works.
We're talking fine machinery here. If you apply enough torque to strip the screws you're trying too hard. There is something else going on.

Agreed completely, and the unmounting has already been done. Any suggestions of how to clean? That's what I'm really not sure about. The inserts are so small, so i'm not really sure what to even stick in there.

 

[phangtonpower]

I think they use lock tight on their screws. I've always noticed blue stuff around the screws.

 

[sissy kathy]

Agreed completely, and the unmounting has already been done. Any suggestions of how to clean? That's what I'm really not sure about. The inserts are so small, so i'm not really sure what to even stick in there.

Take the parts to a shop that repairs brass instruments. Most of those places have ultrasonic cleaners.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Get the tap that matches the screw thread and, carefully, run it through the threaded holes.