Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I recently bought a set of the new style strap lock ready bolts to put on my 4001. I put these in and never really tightened them too much (they get loose occassionally), but they haven't slipped out or anything. Last night I was playing my bass and the bolt on tail of the bass (one that I never noticed to get loose much) was loose and wouldn't tighten down. It seems as if it may have taken out some of the wood around the threads and won't stop spinning (probably due to never being tightened down properly). Since it's a machine screw, I have secured it with some thread tape and it seems to be holding up for right now. If this quick fix doesn't hold (anybody have any experience with this?), what is the method for a proper fix since it isn't a wood screw. I guess, if I get lazy, I could just put the Schaller piece in there, but I like the current bolts.

The factory uses water to make the wood swell a bit to hold the bolt. Try that first. If you lost some wood there you could replace it with some sawdust (maple preferably) mixed with wood glue. Press some into the hole then tread the bolt in. Wipe off any squeeze out right away and let it sit over night.

Maple sawdust...that means I might have to try to build something. Usually when that happens, the only thing worthwhile I get out of it is sawdust Thanks!

nukebass wrote:Maple sawdust...that means I might have to try to build something. Usually when that happens, the only thing worthwhile I get out of it is sawdust Thanks!

Perfect, then!

I tried out this method yesterday. I didn't have any maple so I just used a regular 2x4 I had laying around. I wasn't sure what thickness the mixture should be so I just threw something together. Initially, it didn't seem to be working and I had to dig some of the mixture out with a drill bit because the bolt wouldn't sit flush. After a little while I realized I should probably let the glue set, since it does take time to dry I checked it this morning and the bolt doesn't move, so I'm pretty sure this worked. Thanks for the help, Ted!!