Author Topic: Loose straplocks (Read 281 times)

robinc · « **on:** March 18, 2009, 02:52:29 PM »

One of the straplocks on my bass has become loose. I've tightened the screw a few times, though never very hard for fear of stripping the wood, and after some use it wiggles itself loose again. I've seen some straplocks that have a small felt bushing between the metal and the wood that occasionally needs replacing. Is that the case with Alembics? I figured I would get some expert advice before I tried a DIY approach. Thanks!

dannobasso · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:03:49 PM »

Wooden toothpick down the shaft to take up the slack, cut to fit the depth or sometimes just break it off if you are in a real hurry, a dab of elmers if you like, replace screw. I carry those things in my gig bag. I have had to do it to all my basses. I kinda put a lot of force on my basses when I play. Just one man's opinion.

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2009, 05:27:02 PM »

Danno is right on (as usual). In fact , there is a story on use of toothpicks in one of the current magazines, I think it's Vintage Guitar, IIRC. One suggestion: try and get good and solid round hardwood toothpicks, not the cheap flat ones. Put it in with some wood glue. Let dry 24 hours. Carefully (with a razor or similar blade) trim off the extra toothpick sticking out of the hole, then replace the screw.

Bill, tgo

jet_powers · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2009, 12:27:07 PM »

Several times in the past I've used wooden matches (they are a little bigger than toothpicks) and then just put the screw back in. I didn't want to glue it just in case for some odd reason I wanted to get it out again. None have failed yet....

JP

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2009, 02:42:52 PM »

If you use epoxy, you can heat the strap button screw with a soldering iron just enough to melt the glue, and then unscrew as normal.
Backyard mechanics know _all_ the tricks!

jet_powers · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2009, 03:28:39 PM »

Will the residual epoxy in the hole have any effect on putting the screw back in afterwards?

JP

keavin · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2009, 11:10:29 AM »

my Strap is screwed into the bass insuring it will never come loose unless i unscrew it..that's always sure safe option that it wont give-way unexpedly.

bassdr · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2009, 10:16:05 AM »

I solved this issue by installing threaded brass inserts and using machine screws to hold my straplocks in place.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2009, 11:34:52 AM »

I read on the forum somewhere that Clarkee uses the method Keavin suggested. I presume the idea of threaded inserts would have been considered by Alembic since they use threaded inserts everywhere else. So I suppose there is a good reason they don't use them on the straplocks.
I could see threaded inserts coming lose due to continued movement of the strap in use.
Jazzyvee

lbpesq · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2009, 12:18:43 PM »

I always double check my strap pins and the straplock mechanisms on my strap before playing. I find that the piece on the strap loosening is far more common than the posts on the guitar loosening. I guess this is almost second nature to me as a result of owning an old Austin Healy Bugeye Sprite many years ago. I was always taught to preventively check and tighten bolts on a British sports car.

Bill, tgo