Nick in finish at strap pin

[coolhandjjl]

On my top horn the strap pin started to unthread a bit, and the threads caught some finish and created a chip while I was playing. A bit of clear has partially lifted off, size of a BB. Can hardly see it, but don't want it to lift off into something larger. Do I cut the loose off with a razor, or is there something I can use to seal it up? I thought I read about clear nail polish being used.

[aceonbass]

Carefully brush on a little clear nail polish. I also like using those little felt washers under my strap pegs. They keep the base of the strap peg from binding against the finish, especially on the horn where it's quite rounded, and also add a nice visual touch.

[coolhandjjl]

Thanks Dane. After studying it, the washer would have prevented it. Either the pin base itself crushed the clear, or the threads wobbling out knocked the finish loose. Per John Hall's recommendation, I'll add two drops of water to the thread before rethread it. I've never seen felt washers before. Is this a TruValue Hardware sort of thing?

[aceonbass]

I get them in black or white from online instrument parts suppliers. I did see a thiiner version at Ace Hardware the other night while I was there though.

[coolhandjjl]

I struck out at my local hardware store and music store.

I ended up taking one off my son's Squire bass. How's that for irony?

[aceonbass]

LOL...Well now you have a 4003 Squire model, and I hear those are quite valuable

[Grey]

A pair of black felt washers came with my Straplocks. I use one underneath the pin on the horn, the one on the body goes through the metal tailpiece so I figured that was ok. However, the original strap pins also had little clear plastic washers underneath them, between the pin and the body.

I also use a drop of thread-lock on each strap pin, the removeable type so that with enough force you could still remove them. They haven't budged since.

[jps]

I also use a drop of thread-lock on each strap pin, the removeable type so that with enough force you could still remove them. They haven't budged since.

Have you tried removing them?

[Grey]

I've used the same type of threadlock on other bolts and have been able to remove them. It's made to break free with enough force.