• From: Sussex UK
  • Registered: 2009-07-12
  • Posts: 1,465

Topic: guitars and matchsticks...

need some help guys, - I fitted Fender locking button strap thingies to my son's Telecaster, - a few near misses with his SG encouraged me to take this action. Brilliant idea, - no more strap coming un-hooked, - however the other day the screw pulled out of the body  sad I think because the screw that came with the locking straps was smaller (it has to be to fit through the head of the locking button) than the original. So this PM I have bunged up the holes with some match-sticks and glued them in place with wood-glue. Tomorrow I intend to screw in the buttons into the newly padded holes hoping that they will hold firm this time, then got to thinking have I done the right thing?

Any advice on this from you guitar peoples would be gratefully appreciated.

My YouTube channel with plenty of my Joe's videos dating from 2009 inc his first Hammersmith Odeon ones:
http://www.youtube.com/ian916fun

Ian916's Website

  • Bailz
  • Bailz
  • Silver Member
  • Offline
  • From: Aberdeen, Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-01-05
  • Posts: 60

Re: guitars and matchsticks...

Ian916 wrote:

need some help guys, - I fitted Fender locking button strap thingies to my son's Telecaster, - a few near misses with his SG encouraged me to take this action. Brilliant idea, - no more strap coming un-hooked, - however the other day the screw pulled out of the body  sad I think because the screw that came with the locking straps was smaller (it has to be to fit through the head of the locking button) than the original. So this PM I have bunged up the holes with some match-sticks and glued them in place with wood-glue. Tomorrow I intend to screw in the buttons into the newly padded holes hoping that they will hold firm this time, then got to thinking have I done the right thing?

Any advice on this from you guitar peoples would be gratefully appreciated.

I do this with all of my guitars and haven't had one fail on me yet!

  • RickB
  • RickB
  • BONAMEGAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego
  • Registered: 2009-10-30
  • Posts: 12,198

Re: guitars and matchsticks...

The new urethane glue called Gorilla Glue, which activates with water, is even better than wood glue. I use it for all kinds of wood repairs. It even worked to fasten a dowel for screw anchoring in pressed board. Leave a bit of space for it to ooze out as it cures and then trim with a razor blade.
Rick

Free download from Vienna! http://mbsy.co/bNLR
Lots of unique videos of Joe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd5vL8fXTw
Buy Joe's merchandise here. http://www.jbonamassa.com/affiliates/id … hp?id=1381

RickB's Website

  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: guitars and matchsticks...

Most use toothpicks, but matchsticks should work as well....

Another way people do this, is to plug the hole with a dowel and then redrill it.

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: guitars and matchsticks...

If you take it to a repair shop they will most likely do about the same thing, act like they performed a miracle, then charge you accordingly.  I have used the toothpick method on countless applications, works every time. -S.

  • From: Sussex UK
  • Registered: 2009-07-12
  • Posts: 1,465

Re: guitars and matchsticks...

thanks guys, - encouraging to hear that this is not a unique experience. Have just screwed the buttons in and they look to be in good and solid, - fingers crossed.

My YouTube channel with plenty of my Joe's videos dating from 2009 inc his first Hammersmith Odeon ones:
http://www.youtube.com/ian916fun

Ian916's Website