Loose straplok screw

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Jens Westerinen

If you say so.
By doing that, the idea was that no more wood would be removed - don't see why it should (just a slightly bigger screw, enough to keep it tight).
I'd rather do that than dowel and then drill a new hole, but hey, that's me.

With strap loks, you can't just use any screw. If the Pin with the ball bearings do not lock into place because of a Screw changing the depth of the space for the pin to enter and lock, then you will have a damaged bass when the strap flies off the bass.

Jens, your suggestion might work with other applications but in this case, I think some caution must be exercised when you have exact needs for the fit of the Locks.

[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.