Straplocks on my Ric 4003

[topshed34a]

I seeek the wise counsel of those of others.
A very simple question really. One of my straplocks is unthreading itself , these are the one piece type where the straplock and the thread are a single peice.
Ok I have tighteed by hand by its still comes loose.

What do you think would be the best way to stop these unthreading.
see, told ya it was simple didn't I.
Cheers
Steve
Ric Rookie :
PS
Also I less than impressed with the quality of the standard OEM cases supplied with Riccie Basses. they are way to flimsy. What would be a better case to keep my bass in.
Thanks

[doctorwho]

Steve, you want to post the straplock question also in The Vibrola section where the experts/luthiers are more likely to see it. Your situation may only need some Loctite thread lock, but I don't know.

I can tell you that I recently fixed a loose strapbolt (pulling completely out, not just unthreading) on my 1981 460 BG using a technique discussed in another thread ... I took some sawdust and made a paste of it with Elmer's Wood Glue (the tan stuff). I used a small piece of wood as a spatula to partially fill the hole, using just enough of the paste (about the consistency of peanut butter) to make sure that the hole was free of voids when the bolt was reinserted, and after reinserting the strapbolt, let it sit for 48 hrs to dry. I used the guitar today and the bolt did not move a bit. This technique is more or less permanent, as I don't know whether I even can remove the bolt now (I don't want to break the bond by trying!).

As far as cases are concerned, an Anvil-style ATA-approved case is probably the most secure kind.

[dog]

Gary's suggestion is perfect and will do the trick. I have used this method more then once and it works well. I will add that since the glue paste will not actually bond to the metal threads, it is possible to remove the bolt if necessary.

[antipodean]

The lazy low-tech solution:

Match stick slivers placed in the hole will hold the bolt for around 30 years in my experience.

[ozover50]

Yeah..... toothpicks and PVA adhesive works for me!

[Becky]

I'd suggest using pieces of cocktail sticks, rather than matchsticks or toothpicks, for the simple reason that the wood is a bit harder. In my experience the harder pieces allow the screw or button to be tightened better. And in any case, when I replaced the original strap buttons on mine with Schaller strap locks, I had to pack the holes because the new screws were smaller in diameter.

[rickenbrother]

Welcome to the forum, Becky.

I've seen Gary's paste method and it seems to be a dependable way to fill a straplock hole.

Gator recently came out with lightweight ATA cases that have locks which are TSA approved. They are made to fit most bass guitars. The price seems reasonable for these cases.
http://www.gatorcases.com/productsmodel ... &MID=44%20

[antipodean]

Yeah..... toothpicks and PVA adhesive works for me!

To hold in the strapbolts or for oral hygiene?

[ozover50]

The toothpicks take care of the straplocks...... the PVA glue keeps my teeth in!!

Regarding Becky's suggestion of cocktail sticks...... should they be soaked in the martini first?

[rickfan60]

The factory uses water to set them. The water causes the wood to swell and grab the threads. Also as someone else mentioned, sawdust and wood glue make an nice paste to secure them.

[topshed34a]

Hello Gary and all other repliees.
I got it sorted,
They must actually run a tap through the wood to create a thread, when it came out I thought it was a woodscrew but realisend it is actually a bolt.
I had some PVA woodwork ( It called Aquadhere here in Aus), I decided to put some on a tissue then wipe the bolt on it so it was in the threads then screw it back in then just check that no wood glue had spilt on the body, so I used a dam tissue to remove any surplus. The bolt will not come out now unless I were to grip the end o the staplock in some soft jawed grips.
Any way it is now good
Thanks
Fellow Ricophiles.

Steve, you want to post the straplock question also in The Vibrola section where the experts/luthiers are more likely to see it. Your situation may only need some Loctite thread lock, but I don't know.

I can tell you that I recently fixed a loose strapbolt (pulling completely out, not just unthreading) on my 1981 460 BG using a technique discussed in another thread ... I took some sawdust and made a paste of it with Elmer's Wood Glue (the tan stuff). I used a small piece of wood as a spatula to partially fill the hole, using just enough of the paste (about the consistency of peanut butter) to make sure that the hole was free of voids when the bolt was reinserted, and after reinserting the strapbolt, let it sit for 48 hrs to dry. I used the guitar today and the bolt did not move a bit. This technique is more or less permanent, as I don't know whether I even can remove the bolt now (I don't want to break the bond by trying!).

As far as cases are concerned, an Anvil-style ATA-approved case is probably the most secure kind.

[paul_yan]

Welcome, Steven and Rebecca!

Rebecca's cocktailstick tip is very good.

And like what Ted said, wet the hole before you put in anything!

[jps]

And like what Ted said, wet the hole before you put in anything!

Most excellent tip, Paul.

[doctorwho]

Steven, I'm glad that we were able to help!

[paul_yan]

Most excellent tip, Paul.

Haha, not at all, Jeff. It's just some "universal common sense"!