Notes_Norton Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 This is probably a newbie question and guitar is my seventh and latest instrument so I guess I'm still a newbie at it. I have a basswood guitar and the screws that hold the strap buttons come loose after a night of gigging. I thought of gluing them, wrapping teflon tape around the pegs (tried this, didn't work), wood putty and a few other ideas. But never encountering the problem before I'd like to fix it right the first time. What is the best way to do this? Thanks, Notes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merciful-evans Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 I had this problem once and used wood glue to firm up the fit. Some say use some matchwood in the cavity also. If you are concerned about the screw then being difficult to remove (it shouldnt be if the screw is smooth and not corroded etc), I suggest using some plumbers tape around the thread before screwing home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 The classic way that a woodworker fixes this problem is to remove the screw, and add one or more toothpicks inside the hole (depending on how much the hole needs to “shrink”) The idea with the toothpicks is to make the hole smaller so the screw can properly bite, just don’t make the hole so small that you split the basswood by the pressure of the screw You can add a bit of wood glue or not, the toothpick will provide the necessary friction Very easy, one minute fix 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 I should add that if the toothpick is sticking outside of the body, snap off the excess so it is flush to the body Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 Toothpick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted February 2, 2019 Author Share Posted February 2, 2019 Thanks. Toothpick sounds like the easiest fix. I've got a gig tonight, and I'll change strings tomorrow so they stretch by Tuesday's gig. I'll put the toothpick in then. Notes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 Shish karobert skewer works good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparquelito Posted February 3, 2019 Share Posted February 3, 2019 It may sound unconventional, but I have a trained spider monkey who scampers onto the stage with a screwdriver whenever my strap buttons come loose during a gig. He's a high maintenance little animal, but he's handy with tools, and he doesn't eat much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted February 3, 2019 Author Share Posted February 3, 2019 It may sound unconventional, but I have a trained spider monkey who scampers onto the stage with a screwdriver whenever my strap buttons come loose during a gig. He's a high maintenance little animal, but he's handy with tools, and he doesn't eat much. Do you rent him out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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