Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

The top horn strap button in my 620 is becoming loose. I tried tightening it with my hand, it just began to go all 360 clockwise.

Should I try to fix this myself or just take it to a luthier?

Sugarcane wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 11:06 am The top horn strap button in my 620 is becoming loose. I tried tightening it with my hand, it just began to go all 360 clockwise.

Should I try to fix this myself or just take it to a luthier?

That would depend on whether you are "qualified" to take care of this yourself.

Remove the screw, slide some toothpicks into the hole, snap the ends off flush, reinstall the screw. Use enough toothpicks for a snug fit.

If it comes loose after that, it’ll be time for a pro repair. But toothpicks will solve the problem 9 times out of 10.

The toothpick fix works. I would just add a drop of carpenter's glue onto the toothpicks before slipping them into the whole.

Also, while the strap button is out, put a felt washer on the bottom of the strap button and then screw it on. I have no idea why Ric doesn't use those felt washers. My 360/12 paint chipped around the bottom of the strap button. I placed a felt washer on the button (hides the chip in the paint) and no more chipping.

On another forum someone suggested plumber's Teflon tape. I suppose that's if there is still threading in the wood. The felt washers could be helpful as well.