Stripped backplate screws

[dsimms]

My large backplate is missing some screws and the holes have been stripped out by the previous owner.  What's my best course of action here... larger screws/repair the holes/ try to put the inserts in (my preferred solution)?  It's a 77 Series I Medium Scale that was highly modified by the previous owner.  It didn't have inserts coming from the factory and I'm not sure if there's enough wood/depth to put the inserts in.

[edwardofhuncote]

Hey, I remember that bass!  Nice to see you here again, Doug. 

If it were mine, I'd call Mica and order a set of screws and threaded inserts and install them. Any competent luthier should be able to handle that job easily, if you're not comfortable with it.

Here's Mica's post on the subject: http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=207.0

Welcome back.

[StephenR]

My 78 Series bass had inserts for the battery compartment but not the back plate for the electronics. When I took it up to Santa Rosa to have a master volume added they put inserts in for the back plate. I agree with Gregory, you should call Mica and get the screws/inserts and have them put in, much more reliable over time.

If you still have brass screws holding down the tailpiece you should also ask for the stainless replacements when you call. Alembic no longer uses brass screws since they can break (like one of the ones on my tailpiece did). Easy to replace and while you have the tailpiece off you can polish it with Flitz polish.

[dsimms]

Hey, I remember that bass!  Nice to see you here again, Doug. 

If it were mine, I'd call Mica and order a set of screws and threaded inserts and install them. Any competent luthier should be able to handle that job easily, if you're not comfortable with it.

Here's Mica's post on the subject: http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=207.0

Welcome back.

Hey Greg!  Hope things are going well there.  I appreciate the info and that link.  I wasn't sure I had enough wood depth there for the inserts, but I should be good from the info and pics on Mica's post.  I'll contact Mica and should be ok doing this myself. Take care!

[dsimms]

My 78 Series bass had inserts for the battery compartment but not the back plate for the electronics. When I took it up to Santa Rosa to have a master volume added they put inserts in for the back plate. I agree with Gregory, you should call Mica and get the screws/inserts and have them put in, much more reliable over time.

If you still have brass screws holding down the tailpiece you should also ask for the stainless replacements when you call. Alembic no longer uses brass screws since they can break (like one of the ones on my tailpiece did). Easy to replace and while you have the tailpiece off you can polish it with Flitz polish.

Thanks Steve.  I'll be getting them and putting them in myself. That's wild that your tailpiece screws broke - did that happen during a gig or with a crazy string bend?

[StephenR]

No idea when the tailpiece screw broke, it may have been broken for years. I found it when I took the tailpiece off to clean it. Luckily the tip of the snapped screw protruded into the battery compartment just far enough that I could grab it with a pair of needle-nose pliers and twist it out. If you go to replace the tailpiece screws and they don't seem to tighten properly you will need to put dowels in the screw holes then re-drill. I had to do that with mine. Good luck with the repairs!

[edwardofhuncote]

Great to hear you're playing that one again after its long rest... I see you got the missing inlay replaced too. 

If you have any trouble, check back in here.

Come to think of it, my '81 Distillate doesn't have inserts for mounting the backplate... maybe I should take my own advice and order a set before they strip out.   

[gtrguy]

There is always the trick of putting a wood toothpick in the hole and cutting it to not stick up, and then putting the screw in. I like to put the point of the toothpick in 'point up'. Surprisingly easy and effective, as many a luthier can attest.

[garth4664]

Toothpick not needed. Tiny dabs of superglue around the inside of the hole let dry, repeat 4 or 5 times. Let dry for at least 30mins. Then try screwing the screws back in. This worked for me.

[slawie]

To make super glue dry super quick, sprinkle some baking soda on the glue after
it is on the wood. Saves so much time not waiting for it to set naturally.
Does not affect the strength of the glue only the curing time. It does however make it look cloudy.

slawie