Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The strap bolt came lose of my 4001 '80. Luckily it didn't happen while playing causing my bass being smashed on the floor.

Can I just use some glue to make it rock-solid again?

Sometimes just adding a few drops of water into the open hole is enough to swell the wood fibers tight again.

When this happens to me I put a tiny bit of wood glue on the end of the bolt and tighten it back into place, then leave it alone overnight. It's doubtful it will ever give you any trouble again after that.

break of a piece of a toothpick. stick it in the hole and screw the strap bolt in. Worked for me

I used the toothpick fix on an SG i have years ago, and it's still solid.

I used the combination of the toothpick plus a bit of epoxy when I put strap locks on a couple of Fenders back in July, and they have been rock solid so far.

A bigger screw would work, that would affect the wood though...

IvanMunoz wrote:A bigger screw would work, that would affect the wood though...

That won't work with a Rick, though, as the threaded shaft is an integral part of the button.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Will try the toothpick solution first
Cheers!

jdawe wrote:I used the combination of the toothpick plus a bit of epoxy....

I've avoided epoxy - what if I ever wanted to take that screw out again? I've had good luck with toothpicks and wood glue.

I think I have a 70s-vintage box of toothpicks around here somewhere, what do you think I could get for them on ebay?

songdog wrote:I think I have a 70s-vintage box of toothpicks around here somewhere, what do you think I could get for them on ebay?

It depends. Are they made from maple, alder, or ash?

I've avoided epoxy - what if I ever wanted to take that screw out again? I've had good luck with toothpicks and wood glue.

To clarify, I let the epoxy harden before putting the screw back - the hardened epoxy and the toothpick provide a base for the screw threads, but the screw isn't actually glued in.

jps wrote:

IvanMunoz wrote:A bigger screw would work, that would affect the wood though...

That won't work with a Rick, though, as the threaded shaft is an integral part of the button.

I completely forgot about that. I gotta get back in the game!

I would use one of these epoxied in. These come in steel and stainless. Different lengths are available.
Edit: forgot the link http://www.timesert.com/

The way to release epoxy bonded screws and bolts is to heat the head a bit by holding a soldering iron against it. At about 140 degrees, the epoxy softens and you can then unscrew it.