Funky Dunky Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 So I just got my Sterling Sub Ray4 back from Thomann after getting the jack repaired The preamp is uber-hot, so I thought I'd lower the pickup. precision screwdrivers out, looked for a match, and started turning. Stripped the head of the screw in about three turns. Buggeration! Now what? (I mean what do I do after the obligatory hour of tears, regret and self-loathing) Help! Please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 There's a lot of this going on is this any help? http://basschat.co.uk/topic/267646-pickup-screw-sheared-off-how-to-retrieve-it/page__fromsearch__1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted August 14, 2015 Author Share Posted August 14, 2015 Will have a gander, thanks :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grunge666 Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 (edited) This happened to me. Got a needle file with a straight edge and filed a groove in the remainder of the screw head. Used a flat screw driver to get it moving and raise up a bit. then pushing the pickup down (if it's spung?), used thin long-nosed pliers to turn the screw until it was free. Ordered replacement screws off Thee'Bay (P90 pickups screws I searched for) and for £1.99 replaced all 4 to match. Edited August 14, 2015 by grunge666 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted August 14, 2015 Author Share Posted August 14, 2015 That sounds like the easiest method! I like it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted August 21, 2015 Author Share Posted August 21, 2015 I tried to cut a groove in the top of the screw but no dice so far. Guess I'll need to invest in a needle file and try that. Hope to baby Jesus it works because the screw heads are getting more and more mangled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CH161 Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 If you have a Dremmel, there is a small cutting wheel in the kit normally. You can very quickly cut a slot in a screw head with it. Then it's easy to get a small slot driver in. I've had to do this a fair bit and it works every time. Files tend to be a little wide and tricky to work straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 Yeah, this method was recommended to me by a bloke in B&Q, but I don't have a dremel. I have a hacksaw, though, and will be giving it a go! Masking tape and a steady hand will be the order of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 If another BCer in B-town has a Dremel they might be able to help you out. My geography isn't too great I don't know where B-town is. Is it anywhere near B-Stock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CH161 Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 [quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1440376521' post='2850225'] Yeah, this method was recommended to me by a bloke in B&Q, but I don't have a dremel. I have a hacksaw, though, and will be giving it a go! Masking tape and a steady hand will be the order of the day. [/quote] Maybe take it to a guitar tech and get it done - it won't cost much. It'll be a 10 minute job and save you a headache. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 B-Town is Beith, North Ayrshire. I could take it to a tech but they'd probably want £40-£50. Tried a hacksaw. Failed miserably, because the blade sits slightly recessed in the frame, and with the ends touching of the hacksaw touching the pickguard, the blade barely touches the top of the screw. Think a Stanley blade would do it? I'd have been better just buying a wee cheap Dremel for £14 at the outset, this would have been resolved by now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 A Stanley blade definitely won't do it, and you risk both your own fingers and the finish of the bass.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CH161 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Get the dremel! I guarantee it will do the job - and it will do many many others in the future. Cheaper than a tech and a useful piece of kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 Long nosed pliers that have serrations on the gripping face. Push pickup down and protect it with some insulating tape. Grip the screw with the pliers parallel to the body (i.e. the serrations are helping with the twisting). and gradually unscrew a little at a time. If the pliers slip you may also be able to carefully file some flats on the screwhead that will help. Protect bass body with some cardboard stuck down with masking tape or similar - it is all too easy to slip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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