|
Post by Bill h on Feb 26, 2021 16:04:57 GMT
The strap buttons on my strat are always loosening up, it happens so much that I keep a Phillips screwdriver on top of my amp at practice. I use strap locks so I’m not sure if that’s playing into the problem but it shouldn’t. Anyone have any suggestions in that arena?
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Feb 26, 2021 16:38:38 GMT
It sounds like the wood around the screw is stripped. I wonder if they used a different threaded screw when they switched from the stock strap buttons with the new straplocks. I'd probably remove the screw, dowel the hole and then put the screw back in. Depending on the size, a toothpick might do the trick.
|
|
|
Post by Bill h on Feb 26, 2021 17:26:53 GMT
It sounds like the wood around the screw is stripped. I wonder if they used a different threaded screw when they switched from the stock strap buttons with the new straplocks. I'd probably remove the screw, dowel the hole and then put the screw back in. Depending on the size, a toothpick might do the trick. [ I googled that trick, think I’ll give it a try ...thanks.
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Feb 26, 2021 18:14:38 GMT
It sounds like the wood around the screw is stripped. I wonder if they used a different threaded screw when they switched from the stock strap buttons with the new straplocks. I'd probably remove the screw, dowel the hole and then put the screw back in. Depending on the size, a toothpick might do the trick. [ I googled that trick, think I’ll give it a try ...thanks. It's probably your least invasive way to do it. You could try deeper/ thicker screws too, but I think doweling it is the way to go. I've done this on MANY door hinges through the years (just not with a toothpick)
|
|
|
Post by Bill h on Feb 26, 2021 18:48:09 GMT
[ I googled that trick, think I’ll give it a try ...thanks. It's probably your least invasive way to do it. You could try deeper/ thicker screws too, but I think doweling it is the way to go. I've done this on MANY door hinges through the years (just not with a toothpick) Hopefully the toothpick thing works, going to a larger screw does not appeal to me, and if it comes down to it, doweling is definitely the way to go. I might have to bring in some more expertise for that one.
|
|
|
Post by zontar on Feb 26, 2021 21:54:15 GMT
If the screw is loose it won’t matter if you have strap locks or not I have had the screw go flying out of a strap knob before Fortunately I was holding the neck at the time and caught it, so no damage other than breaking some strings & a missing strap knob
The toothpick trick does work So you got some good advice
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Feb 26, 2021 22:02:02 GMT
It's probably your least invasive way to do it. You could try deeper/ thicker screws too, but I think doweling it is the way to go. I've done this on MANY door hinges through the years (just not with a toothpick) Hopefully the toothpick thing works, going to a larger screw does not appeal to me, and if it comes down to it, doweling is definitely the way to go. I might have to bring in some more expertise for that one. I agree- although it is possible, I wouldn't necessarily recommend a bigger screw as it could just make it worse. Doweling shouldn't difficult however. Just precut the dowel to the right length and tap it in lightly with a mallet if the fit is snug. But of course if you aren't comfortable with it, get someone to do it. Although honestly you could simply practice this on a scrap piece of 2x4. Drive a screw in, strip it and practice the doweling before you do it on the guitar.
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Feb 26, 2021 22:04:24 GMT
If the screw is loose it won’t matter if you have strap locks or not I have had the screw go flying out of a strap knob before Fortunately I was holding the neck at the time and caught it, so no damage other than breaking some strings & a missing strap knob The toothpick trick does work So you got some good advice Agree- the strap locks won't make a difference here. I'm almost certain someone used the screw that came with the strap locks instead of the one that was in there before and the threads didn't 100% match. My problem with straplocks is usually when the little nut holding the lock to the strap comes loose over time and I don't notice it until it gives.
|
|
|
Post by zontar on Feb 27, 2021 2:36:50 GMT
As for toothpicks, I would say the round ones work better than the flat ones
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Feb 27, 2021 2:43:09 GMT
As for toothpicks, I would say the round ones work better than the flat ones ..And cut the pointy ends off...
|
|
|
Post by infant on Feb 27, 2021 5:31:59 GMT
I found that the Schaller strap locks use a smaller diameter screw (probably metric). I had to use the original Fender screw the first time I bought a pair. After that, I started using toothpicks and wood glue in the hole. I’d let it dry for a day and then I would install the strap locks with the Schaller screws
|
|
|
Post by johnreardon on Feb 27, 2021 10:01:59 GMT
It sounds like the wood around the screw is stripped. I wonder if they used a different threaded screw when they switched from the stock strap buttons with the new straplocks. I'd probably remove the screw, dowel the hole and then put the screw back in. Depending on the size, a toothpick might do the trick. I always use a bit of matchstick if that happens.
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Feb 27, 2021 15:34:13 GMT
I found that the Schaller strap locks use a smaller diameter screw (probably metric). I had to use the original Fender screw the first time I bought a pair. After that, I started using toothpicks and wood glue in the hole. I’d let it dry for a day and then I would install the strap locks with the Schaller screws Usually when I switch strap buttons I use the original screws. It is any easy thing to forget that the threads might not be the same
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Feb 27, 2021 15:34:46 GMT
It sounds like the wood around the screw is stripped. I wonder if they used a different threaded screw when they switched from the stock strap buttons with the new straplocks. I'd probably remove the screw, dowel the hole and then put the screw back in. Depending on the size, a toothpick might do the trick. I always use a bit of matchstick if that happens.
That works too!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2021 17:46:17 GMT
I guess it depends on what brand of strap locks are installed. My experience with the Dunlop Dual-Design Straploks is that the screws that come with them are slightly longer and thinner than most original strap knobs screws. It generally isn't practical to try using the orignal screws or an over-size screw because the heads generally aren't small enough to fit deep enough into the recess in the strap lock. I've generally found that just sliding a piece of toothpick into the screw-hole creates a small enough opening that the straplock screws will fit snugly and cut new threads as you screw them in. However, I've had one case where that hasn't been enough....On my full-size Telecaster bass, I tighten the screw on the horn of the body before practice and by the time I get home, it's wobbly and dangerously loose. I'm pretty sure the answer is to drill an oversize 3/16" hole in the screw-hole location, chuck a piece of 1/4" doweling in my drill, and run the drill with sandpaper held around it to make it a tight fit in that 3/16" hole. A tiny dab of white or yellow carpenter's glue in the hole first, and then tap the doweling in tight. After it dries, cut it off flush with an x-acto knife, and re-drill the screw-hole, slightly under-size. That should give you a permanent repair.
|
|
|
Post by infant on Feb 27, 2021 17:53:48 GMT
I guess it depends on what brand of strap locks are installed. My experience with the Dunlop Dual-Design Straploks is that the screws that come with them are slightly longer and thinner than most original strap knobs screws. It generally isn't practical to try using the orignal screws or an over-size screw because the heads generally aren't small enough to fit deep enough into the recess in the strap lock. I've generally found that just sliding a piece of toothpick into the screw-hole creates a small enough opening that the straplock screws will fit snugly and cut new threads as you screw them in. However, I've had one case where that hasn't been enough....On my full-size Telecaster bass, I tighten the screw on the horn of the body before practice and by the time I get home, it's wobbly and dangerously loose. I'm pretty sure the answer is to drill an oversize 3/16" hole in the screw-hole location, chuck a piece of 1/4" doweling in my drill, and run the drill with sandpaper held around it to make it a tight fit in that 3/16" hole. A tiny dab of white or yellow carpenter's glue in the hole first, and then tap the doweling in tight. After it dries, cut it off flush with an x-acto knife, and re-drill the screw-hole, slightly under-size. That should give you a permanent repair. Ken, I had the same problem where even with toothpicks it would come loose. That’s why I use wood glue now to hold it all in place.
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Feb 27, 2021 19:02:31 GMT
Drilling and Dowling (sounds like a law firm?) would be a good permanent repair but I get the sense Bill wasn't super comfortable with doing too much to the guitar. I'd try the least invasive and go up from there
|
|
|
Post by infant on Feb 27, 2021 20:01:19 GMT
It sounds like the wood around the screw is stripped. I wonder if they used a different threaded screw when they switched from the stock strap buttons with the new straplocks. I'd probably remove the screw, dowel the hole and then put the screw back in. Depending on the size, a toothpick might do the trick. I always use a bit of matchstick if that happens.
Bill, have you ever found plastic wallboard anchors in any of your Gibsons? IIRC, my Melody Maker has a blue or green one. Not sure if there was one on my ES137 Apparently during part of the finishing process, they add a plastic anchor and put an eye bolt/screw in it to hold the guitar upside down. Confirmation from Gibson is in post 33 of this thread. www.mylespaul.com/threads/studio-shame.112008/
|
|
|
Post by zontar on Feb 27, 2021 20:48:03 GMT
I always use a bit of matchstick if that happens.
Bill, have you ever found plastic wallboard anchors in any of your Gibsons? IIRC, my Melody Maker has a blue or green one. Not sure if there was one on my ES137 View AttachmentApparently during part of the finishing process, they add a plastic anchor and put an eye bolt/screw in it to hold the guitar upside down. Confirmation from Gibson is in post 33 of this thread. www.mylespaul.com/threads/studio-shame.112008/I've never encountered it, but I wouldn't doubt it's happened to others as well.
|
|
|
Post by johnreardon on Feb 28, 2021 10:53:49 GMT
I always use a bit of matchstick if that happens.
Bill, have you ever found plastic wallboard anchors in any of your Gibsons? IIRC, my Melody Maker has a blue or green one. Not sure if there was one on my ES137 View AttachmentApparently during part of the finishing process, they add a plastic anchor and put an eye bolt/screw in it to hold the guitar upside down. Confirmation from Gibson is in post 33 of this thread. www.mylespaul.com/threads/studio-shame.112008/I seem to remember having one of those on my ES137. Sold it years ago and haven't got any pics left to check.
|
|
|
Post by Bill h on Mar 1, 2021 17:05:33 GMT
I always use a bit of matchstick if that happens.
Bill, have you ever found plastic wallboard anchors in any of your Gibsons? IIRC, my Melody Maker has a blue or green one. Not sure if there was one on my ES137 View AttachmentApparently during part of the finishing process, they add a plastic anchor and put an eye bolt/screw in it to hold the guitar upside down. Confirmation from Gibson is in post 33 of this thread. www.mylespaul.com/threads/studio-shame.112008/Good question, I will have to look, none of my gibsons have had any upgrades in the way of strap-locks with the exception of the 70’s tribute which I put a bigsby on but never noticed.
|
|
|
Post by zontar on Mar 7, 2021 2:03:20 GMT
Ii was going to post this picture. This is not my guitar--but I have these on a guitar. Gibson Posi Loks They came with humungous screws--I used the ones already in the guitar.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2021 6:13:29 GMT
Something I don't think has been touched on yet is the Gretsch strap buttons. I don't have any first-hand experience with them (I still have my Gretsch cherry ) but from what I've read, they have a threaded knob that unscrews to install a strap. I can see that being a fairly efficient if somewhat inconvenient way of dealing with the issue.
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Mar 8, 2021 12:29:12 GMT
I'm actually curious to hear if Bill tried the doweling trick and how it went!
|
|
|
Post by zontar on Mar 8, 2021 22:49:35 GMT
Something I don't think has been touched on yet is the Gretsch strap buttons. I don't have any first-hand experience with them (I still have my Gretsch cherry ) but from what I've read, they have a threaded knob that unscrews to install a strap. I can see that being a fairly efficient if somewhat inconvenient way of dealing with the issue. Soem have called it the first strap lock. Not sure if it was, but certainly beat out a lot others. (I have never owned a Gretsch either)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Likes:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2021 4:06:09 GMT
I'm just so happy to have a strap button thread with nobody bringing up the thing about the Grolsch beer rubber rings.....
|
|
|
Post by Die Bullen on Mar 19, 2021 11:21:16 GMT
I'm just so happy to have a strap button thread with nobody bringing up the thing about the Grolsch beer rubber rings..... Well nobody until you did....
|
|
|
Post by infant on Mar 19, 2021 15:48:53 GMT
I put those on my sons guitars
|
|
|
Post by zontar on Mar 19, 2021 19:02:27 GMT
I'm just so happy to have a strap button thread with nobody bringing up the thing about the Grolsch beer rubber rings..... Well nobody until you did.... My first thought as well Actually Fender has rubber washers of the same sort which I use on my bass a a couple of guitars They work great And I have never seen Grolsch beer around here (and I am not much of a beer drinker these days)
|
|
|
Post by infant on Mar 19, 2021 21:36:31 GMT
I take them off of the bottles of olive oil that my wife uses. Exactly the same and they are free!
|
|