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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Straplocks - I Need Your Help!
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 24 2011, 04:01 PM
Guys, I am having trouble with the straplocking system on my baritone guitar. It never ever stays screwed, maybe because I move a lot when I play (jumping and headbanging) but I find this a serious issue as I need the guitar in perfect shape for next weeks big gig.
What would you suggest, aside from totally changing the system? I can't use a bigger screw, as the metal part in which the locking goes into is exactly made to fit that screw cap size.
Thank you in advance 
Posted by: dark dude Jun 24 2011, 04:06 PM
Got a picture?
Posted by: Frederik Jun 24 2011, 04:06 PM
glue
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 24 2011, 04:32 PM
Hmm, I wish I could help with this Cosmin.. I'd be tempted to take it to someone with experience.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 24 2011, 04:34 PM
Will take a picture tonight at rehearsals and post it in this thread thank you guys!!
Posted by: Sollesnes Jun 24 2011, 04:35 PM
Needs woodwork.
Or glue.
Cheap guitar?
Posted by: Mudbone Jun 24 2011, 04:39 PM
Two things you need, toothpicks and wood glue. Its very simple, take the toothpicks, put some wood glue on them, and stick them in the hole. You may have to shave them down the long way, i.e. from top to bottom, in order for you to fit the screw in. Don't put too much wood glue on them. When you put the screw back in it should be a tight fit. Let it sit for at least a day or two before you use the strap again.
Essentially what you're doing is molding a new hole. The wood glue by itself won't hold it in, but combined with the toothpicks it should be tighter than a snakes ass 
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 24 2011, 04:40 PM
I'm sure that's what Cosmin was looking for....
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 24 2011, 04:55 PM
It happens to me a lot as well, and I have Dunlop straplocks, not sure what you have, but I guess the screw is very similar. I did this job probably around 15-20 times so far.
The way I solved the problem (although it will reappear after a while, but you can always repeat the process) is by following the Mudbone's "snake ass" method
For a quick fix, you can always use toothpicks only, and add any glue if you have it around. The only difference was that I used super glue, I found wooden glue having too little impact, the screw stayed in place for couple of gigs, and then the whole was big again.
Posted by: SirJamsalot Jun 24 2011, 05:39 PM
I used to hang out with the guitar techs at a local shop - pretty close friends - basically what they did for stripped out holes in wood was to re-drill the stripped hole large enough for a wooden dowel, then they would glue and knock the dowel into the over sized hole and let it set. Then they would re drill the hole using a bit that was as big as the shaft of the screw, but smaller than the actual width of the screw so that the threads could bite in for a snug fit without the metal shaft of it over-compressing and crushing the dowel. I don't know what kind of wood dowel is best for that though.
But get a tech to do it since they've (hopefully) done this sort of thing enough times to do it right. I'd hate to see a split body - once wood goes, it goes.
Cheers.
Posted by: Sinisa Cekic Jun 24 2011, 05:40 PM
Slightly longer and thicker screw + glue, and problem is solved ! I had the same problem on several guitars and have always worked this way - lifetime warranty 
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 24 2011, 09:13 PM
Or glue.
Cheap guitar?
The Ibanez MMM Mike Mushok Signature
i wouldn't have expected it to let me down like this honestly... I have too perform 2 jumps with the guitar in the show on July the 2nd, and thus i need it to be as steady as it goes..Thank you guys!
I'll give the snake ass method a go tomorrow ))))
Posted by: MickeM Jun 24 2011, 09:44 PM
I'd plug the hole. I think a good way is to stuff it with a wood filler, plastic padding. There's one made for it, becomes even harder than wood. Fill the hole, dry, drill, screw.
Posted by: thefireball Jun 25 2011, 06:05 AM
I hope you get this resolved, Cosmin.
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 25 2011, 12:54 PM
Best of luck with the show!
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 25 2011, 01:30 PM
Thank you mate!
Posted by: Mudbone Jun 26 2011, 04:04 PM
The way I solved the problem (although it will reappear after a while, but you can always repeat the process) is by following the Mudbone's "snake ass" method
For a quick fix, you can always use toothpicks only, and add any glue if you have it around. The only difference was that I used super glue, I found wooden glue having too little impact, the screw stayed in place for couple of gigs, and then the whole was big again.
Ivan makes a great point, regular wood glue might not provide the most strength. Thats why you should see if you can get your hands on some industrial wood glue. Theres some industrial wood glues out there that are so strong that it could possibly keep the leading members of Pink Floyd stuck together.
Also instead of using toothpicks, you could try using slivers off of a drum stick, as hickory is a very strong and dense wood, much more so than a toothpick.
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 26 2011, 04:15 PM
Also instead of using toothpicks, you could try using slivers off of a drum stick, as hickory is a very strong and dense wood, much more so than a toothpick.
Wow
thanks man! hehehPosted by: Ivan Milenkovic Jun 26 2011, 06:17 PM
I heard that it's great to use drum sticks of a really fat and sweaty drummer, because the grease from rehearsals and gigs really makes the wood sturdy over time
Posted by: Mudbone Jun 26 2011, 06:51 PM
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 26 2011, 08:49 PM
I wouldn't want to be the one to handle the sticks though.....
Sweaty drummer's wood......
Posted by: jstcrsn Jun 26 2011, 09:09 PM
thanks man! hehehalong with the tooth picks (which is a great quick fix)
use a glue that will expand - such as Gorilla glue-to fill in any extra cavities
he he - you said sweaty drummers wood
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Jun 26 2011, 10:34 PM
you guys are nutz
Posted by: Ben Higgins Jun 27 2011, 09:25 AM
I did, hehe.. I honestly thought Mudbone would be the first to jump onto that..
oh no, I did it again........
Posted by: Mudbone Jun 27 2011, 10:01 PM
oh no, I did it again........
You're right dude, I've been slacking, I'm gonna go whip myself with some barbed wire now...
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