Basschat Straplocks, chapter 2

[Piers_Williamson]

This might be addressed by Ped, or the wider knowledgeable and practical end of readers.....As the proud owner of a number of Ped's fantastic straplocks, I find the top screw in my fender jazz gently comes loose over time.  No problem with my trusty Swiss Army Knife phillips screwdriver to hand at a gig (so long as I have it with me), but is there an alternative solution?  I really don't want to clog my beloved Fender CS with glue!  Perhaps I should be more Bill Wymanesq at gigs!

[markbunney]

I had the same problem on my p bass and got some threadlocker from Halfords. I just used a little bit and it has been fine. 
 

[TheGreek]

This..

[MichaelDean]

A luthier told me the other day that you can delicately wick a bit of low viscosity super glue into the hole for the strap button screws and it'll strengthen the wood, helping to prevent it from tearing out. Then, as above, a bit of thread lock should stop any movement. 

[Old Horse Murphy]

I use a bits of toothpick/cocktail stick or if I haven't got any, a piece of matchstick to pop in the screw hole and then insert the screw again. It's worked for me so far over all the years I've been playing. 

[Franticsmurf]

3 minutes ago, Old Horse Murphy said:

I use a bits of toothpick/cocktail stick or if I haven't got any, a piece of matchstick to pop in the screw hole and then insert the screw again. It's worked for me so far over all the years I've been playing. 

This. I have several small bits of matchstick in my gig bag just in case. 

[PaulThePlug]

Matchstick... more bulk and softer than cocktail sticks...

[Jakester]

3 hours ago, Old Horse Murphy said:

I use a bits of toothpick/cocktail stick or if I haven't got any, a piece of matchstick to pop in the screw hole and then insert the screw again. It's worked for me so far over all the years I've been playing. 

I do this but with some wood glue as well. Haven’t had one fail yet. 

[gafbass02]

I keep a few cocktail sticks in my gig kit bag for just this reason. But yes, ideally thread lock.

[bass_dinger]

I found that matchsticks were too soft. I now use toothpicks, and glue them in - then drill the hole for the screw.

 

We have had Tonewood Guitar Picks. Next, Tonewood Tooth Picks.

[TimR]

On 27/08/2023 at 17:36, Piers_Williamson said:

I really don't want to clog my beloved Fender CS with glue! 

 

Unfortunately, as others have said. 

 

A small amount of wood glue and some wood (matchstick or other), and start again is the way to go. It's what everyone does. 

[ezbass]

Toothpicks FTW here. If you break/cut it and insert the wider end in first, you compensate for the screw taper. If it’s very loose, then 2 may be required.