Loose strap buttons

[Gimmick]

Sort of a newbie question, but here goes: My strap button has been getting loose really quickly lately. Every few hours I play my guitar standing, it gets loose and I have to tighten it. I'm not sure how I should be solving this, save replacing the current screw with one of a larger diameter.

The real problem is that the screw that's in there right now is not the original screw, but a larger-than-the-original screw that was put in there to solve a similar problem about a year back. What I'm afraid of is that the cause of this loose neck button problem is the large screws. Any alternatives to solving this problem?

 

[GhettoBrassGuy]

Toothpics and wood glue. Fill the hole with some toothpics and a bit of glue. Cut them so they're flush or a bit below the hole. Re-drill it.

 

[Gimmick]

Toothpics and wood glue. Fill the hole with some toothpics and a bit of glue. Cut them so they're flush or a bit below the hole. Re-drill it.

Wait, so I re-drill it with the toothpicks inside? How does that help?

 

[soulgaard1]

You dont even have to use glue or drill.

Just put a couple of toothpicks or wooden matches in the hole, cut them to fit, and screw your strap button back in.

Worked for me on more than one occation (different basses )

 

[Vincent P]

1. Remove the strap buttons.

2. Place a toothpick in the hole so you can measure the lenght to and cut off the access.

3. Spread glue on this toothpick and insert, using a clean toothpick press it firmly into place and let dry.

4. Depending on the toothpicks width, the hole may be too small; if so then use a drill bit one size smaller then the strap lock screw to widen the hole.

5. Replace strap lock screw.

 

[SDB Guitars]

Dingwall basses use what appears to be a coarse thread drywall screw with the head ground down... seems to bite better.

 

[needmoney]

+1 to what's been said here, though I just fill the hole with glue, then jam as many toothpicks as I can fit in there, cut the tops off, and then screw it back in. Most of the time, once it's done once, they're good for years unless I change the button.