Loose straplok screw

[Scott Pope]

What Ken said. The best fix is as set forth above: remove the straplock and its screw. Drill oversized. Glue in a piece of hardwood dowel. Redrill the screw hole to accommodate the original screw, or an exact replacement if there is wear to the head or threads. Touch up the dowel to match the contour and whatever finish color is preferred. Reinstall the straplock.

As far as tonal concerns, we're talking about so little wood and glue that it will not have any audible effect. As far as visual/aesthetic concerns: very little. Way less than if the straplock were to fail and the bass fall to the floor causing damage.

[Bob Faulkner]

Mildly off topic, but during one rehearsal (on a concrete floor) I had failed to fully latch the horn straplock and between songs it popped out.. My Smith fell straight down.. I caught the bass in mid air about 6 inches short of the ground.. After recovering from the heart attack we then completed the rehearsal with the strap locks well seated.