Les Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Came out completely 30 seconds before the drummer started counting at Fridays gig. Gaffa to the rescue and gig completed without mishap. I've fixed this many times before by inserting bits of matches/toothpicks etc watched a couple of youtube vids this afternoon and it seems it's better if the bits of wood are glued in. Never done this but I'm going to later tonight. Unless anyone knows of a better repair ?? cheers Les Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Yep, definitely need to use wood glue. A more 'purist' repair would involve drilling out the hole to the same size as a bit of dowel and gluing that in instead. Then drill a pilot hole in the dowel before re-screwing. But I've used cocktail sticks successfully before. Also, consider the size of screw. I don't like the sizes of the ones that come with strap locks and think they are too small. There's a fair bit of leverage and stress on them so I like to use a much longer screws. Not necessarily thicker, but certainly longer. I think I used 50mm Spax screws for my Schaller locks and have never had any problems with them coming loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted September 14, 2014 Author Share Posted September 14, 2014 Thanks flyfisher, will give the glue and toothpick method a shot. Don't really want to get invasive with drills and dowel cos' it's an old bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Fair enough, toothpicks should be fine. Try to pack in as many as you can. I cut them off after pushing in as far as I can by hand, leaving about half an inch proud and then finally tapping them home with a hammer. But gently and firmly rather than bashing away until the bass splits! Then wait until the glue dries, probably overnight, before finally trimming off level with the bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 Fix it permanently.... get Dunlop strap locks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted September 15, 2014 Author Share Posted September 15, 2014 [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1410740323' post='2552676'] Fix it permanently.... get Dunlop strap locks. [/quote] Really ? Had them years ago but as far as I can remember they work on the same principal. Unless things have moved on a lot and I'm behind the times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 Dunlops are different. Their screws fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted September 15, 2014 Author Share Posted September 15, 2014 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subthumper Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Bamboo skewers from sainsburys glued with superglue work very well. Have used this on strap pegs, scratch plate holes and on amp and speaker cabs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaners Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 I use wood glue and matches, haven't had a problem with this in 35 years ! works a treat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Haven't had to make a repair of this nature but I wonder if Plastic Padding Chemical Metal would be a good solution? Supposed to set in 10 minutes and can be sanded, drilled and tapped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Wood glue and toothpicks here, but be warned. If the bass body is close to balsa wood, it'll not hold, unless the screws are much longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 To be honest, I think that's the best long-term real solution. Obviously the bass in question is in need of a hole repair as well, but I would definitely use a much longer screw than supplied with strap locks, or originally used for the studs. In fact, I have done. There's a lot of leverage on those two points of attachment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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