technical problem

[DRAGON_MASTER]

After a few close calls I got these straplocks for my guitar so the strap wouldnt slip off the little knobs. i had to drill the hole in the back of the guitar about a centimeter deeper to fit the new knob, but the one that goes where the neck is bolted on is a little bit trickier because the screw that originally went in there was fatter, but i cant use a bigger screw for the new knob because it wont go all the way down into it.

So i was wondering if there is any way to fill in the hole, maybe with wood glue or something. so i can use the smaller screw and it will hold in. If anyone has any advice on what to do please tell.

[john123]

dont use wood filler

[DRAGON_MASTER]

why not?

[axeall,folks]

I have run into this before. What I do is this-make sure the hole is cleaned of any chips,dust,etc.....Go to the hardware store and get a 2 part epoxy glue.Mix the amount you will need and fill the hole with this. Let the glue FULLY CURE according to the instructions.Once fully curedyou can now spot drill a new hole for whatever size screw you are going to use.Before screwing that in though,coat the screw with a little more of the epoxy mix and let that set up as you did previously.Once this is together,its going to be pretty much a permanent thing so take care doing this.Also you should ues a longer screw,but not long enough to bust into the electronic cavity. I use a standard size sheetrock screw.And while your at it,you might as well do this to the other screw,even though it might not need it now,believe me,it will.Been there!!

[Pom-Bear]

dont use wood filler

How come u cant use wood filler?

im sure Steve vai used wood filler on His Evo (main signiture guitar) after his strap locks ripped out... during his gigs

[axeall,folks]

I am sure he did, but the epoxy is able to seep into the poreous make up of the wood.And also I have to clear one thing up. After the pilot hole has been drilled coat the screw with the epoxy and screw it in then. I think the way I explained it before,it may have been interpreted otherwise.AND dont use the JB weld.

[DRAGON_MASTER]

I have run into this before. What I do is this-make sure the hole is cleaned of any chips,dust,etc.....Go to the hardware store and get a 2 part epoxy glue.Mix the amount you will need and fill the hole with this. Let the glue FULLY CURE according to the instructions.Once fully curedyou can now spot drill a new hole for whatever size screw you are going to use.Before screwing that in though,coat the screw with a little more of the epoxy mix and let that set up as you did previously.Once this is together,its going to be pretty much a permanent thing so take care doing this.Also you should ues a longer screw,but not long enough to bust into the electronic cavity. I use a standard size sheetrock screw.And while your at it,you might as well do this to the other screw,even though it might not need it now,believe me,it will.Been there!!


Is the epoxy a wood epoxy kind of thing or are you just talking about epoxy glue? And i cant use a different or longer screw because the head has to be a certain size in order to fall to the bottom of the knob, I have gone to ace hardware looking for a different screw and they dont have one that fits.

Also are you talking about the electronic cavity in the back with the plate bolted over it? Because i was talking about the bolts that hold the neck to the body, i have an epiphone sg if that helps, and im not aware of any electronics around there.

And what other screws are you talking about? Are you talking about the one that i already put in holding the other knob?

[axeall,folks]

Oh, I am not aware of how that guitar is set up as far as the strap bolt configuration is..ops.So where the neck bolts to the body there is a strap bolt incorporated to one of the screw that hold the neck to the body?Dont mean to sound so dUHHHH!!

[DRAGON_MASTER]

yes there is one there

[axeall,folks]

Ok,Isee. If you have the original bolt or screw ,this could be pretty touchy.You might not want to have such a permanent fix in case you had to at some point remove the neck,right?Is this correct? Doesnt it figure it had to be the one that the strap goes to. Am I on the same page with you now?

[thevirusoflife]

fill it with some tooth picks and re put the screw in

[DRAGON_MASTER]

Should i take the neck off befor filling the hole? or just fill it in as it is I want to avoid taking the neck off if possible.

[DRAGON_MASTER]

fill it with some tooth picks and re put the screw in

When i first read this i thought u were joking but i thought about it and its really not a bad idea. Has anyone done this on anything? would it work?

[axeall,folks]

Please dont do the toothpick thing.I have done that before and it will let go when you give it that extra tweak to tighten the bolt.You want to make a repair that you are going to be confident in so as your playng,you wont constantly be thinking,"gee, whens that going to let go".Yes remove the neck and prep the hole as before and put the epoxy in. They have wood AND metal epoxy. I would use the metal epoxy as a metal bolt is going back in there. If you go with the toothpick thing,you may end up picking your guitar off the floor,or worse-throwing your back out trying to catch it before it does.Been there too-YIKES!!!! Also, if you have the original bolt,use that.Do you have the original bolt.I might not know it all, but if you can get some other input,check it uot but remember,you want to make a confident repair so you wont be sidetracked on playing Hope this helps.

[judge_gideon]

Don't use toothpicks or wood slivers in your pilot hole if it is a load-bearing screw - it can pull out.

Since the wood is porous, you would need something durable like metal epoxy to soak into in immediate area, and it would lock the threads of the screw. Wood epoxy isn't strong enough (rock climbers use metal epoxy to set anchor bolts when setting up a permanent sport climb - they're designed for bearing heavy loads).

I sometimes use wood slivers to rethread other pilot holes, like for pickups, pickguards, backplates, etc. - but never for things like neck joints or strap buttons.

I have replaced the factory strap buttons on multiple occasions, both on my guitars and on customers' guitars since I worked for a few years in a music store - I did sales, lessons, and minor repairs & setups (I even cleaned the bathrooms for those lazy bums - oh, and also had to sell used Sears Harmony guitars like a used car salesman and pretend they were sweet deals :mad: ).

Whew, glad I'm not working for those hustlers anymore :)
♪♫♫♪

[judge_gideon]

I recall one instance where I was replacing the strap buttons on a fretless Aria Pro bass - kind of a cool little instrument. When removing the original screw, the screw head twisted off! Then the metal threads were still deep inside the hole. This posed a difficult problem.

What I did was drilled a new pilot hole next to the screw shaft, and successfully put on the new strap button - and it totally covered up the nasty screw shaft permenantly embedded in top horn.
♪♫♫♪

[DRAGON_MASTER]

OK i have the original screw but i cant use it because the head is to big to go into the new strap button.

Also in taking off the neck is there going to be any unusual adjustments that have to be made when i put it back on? I have never taken a neck off before it looks kinda intimidating.

I was just thinking and i came up with another solution. I thought i would put the original screw back in the back of the neck, and make a new pilot hole spot for the straplock button. It would make things a hundred times less complicated, and i wouldnt have that thing epoxied in there for good. Has anyone ever done this and is this a good idea?

As far as i know it should be just a solid piece of wood around the upper portion of the body so i wont hit anything. I have an epiphone sg by the way.

[judge_gideon]

I wouldn't think you would hit anything - since the original hole is right there.

But, since I haven't laid eyes on your guitar, I can't be certain.

[DRAGON_MASTER]

k, just to make myself clear i was talking about putting the strap button up around the upper portion of the body, not where the neck is attached, but then i thought i might drill a new hole through the metal plate where the four bolts attack the neck so it would look kind of like the 5 on a dice with the strap button in the middle.

What are your opinions on which one?

When i drill the new pilot hole it will be smaller than the screw, should i still use some sort of glue for extra assurance? Would loctite work on wood?

And if i were to take off the neck is there anything to be careful for, or anything special i have to do?

sorry thats alot of questions, thank you for your time

[judge_gideon]

I'm not sure if the wood is thick enough at the joint - I would think the screw would be too long, and screw into the back part of the neck.

My opinion would be to go with the original hole.

But, if your measurements are correct, and you are confident to do it the other way - then do what your conscience will allow. :D

[*edit: oh, and the glue - yes, use some metal epoxy and wait the recommended time before using it. Secondly, If you do take off the neck, you'll have to first take off the strings. And, you should support both the body and the neck so it doesn't collapse in a broken mess in your lap after you remove a few screws. Keep the neck joint firm and immobile until the last screw is removed. Do the same thing to replace the screws. When putting them back in, remember the original torque and tighten them back to where they were. Be careful not to lose any shim material if there is any, and remember where it was placed, so your action doesn't go wacko when you put it back on (in my opinion, shimming is a cheap fix, and no quality factory guitars should have shims - but some do)]

[DRAGON_MASTER]

would it be bad to screw into the back part of the neck, i mean thats what the other four screws do. And the main reason i am pullin towards making a new hole is that the original strap button screw is pretty heavy duty and long as are the other three that hold the neck on. And the new strap button screw is rather weak compared to the original.

So i was thinking that the original one would be a better and tighter hold, because i dont trust the new strap button screw it just doesnt seem right.
Thats why i wanted to drill a new one.

If you have any new imput just post it.

I know im thinking to hard about it but i just dont want to f something up and then be pissed at myself.