View Full Version : Help with tailpiece
preecher
Mar-21-2010, 6:21pm
The tailpiece on my savannah S200 has a loose screw. The lower screw has pulled out of the wood. If there a simple fix?
mrmando
Mar-21-2010, 6:24pm
Well, you could squirt some "Plastic Wood" filler in there, wait for it to dry and then drive the screw back in.
Rob Grant
Mar-21-2010, 6:53pm
You can also take one of those pointed, double ended tooth picks that the Chinese make, stick it in the hole with a bit of white glue, snap it off flush and replace your screw.
MikeEdgerton
Mar-21-2010, 7:36pm
I use the round toothpick trick all the time.
+1 to the toothpick method
Ivan Kelsall
Mar-22-2010, 1:39am
If the screw hole diameter is very similar to the diameter of the toothpick,that works fine. But,if the hole is larger,when you glue the toothpick into it,it won't sit centrally & there will be a gap all round it. The chances are that when you come to replace the screw,you could end up driving the screw down the side of the toothpick - off-centre. The best bet is to carefully drill out the screw hole to 1/8" diameter - it doesn't need to be more than 1/4" deep.Then get some 1/8" dia.wooden dowel,sand it to suit the hole diameter & glue it into place. After smoothing it off level (mask around it),make a centre hole in the dowel using a sharp point,& screw the screw into that. It's only a tad more trouble,but it will give a solid foundation for the screw,
Ivan
preecher
Mar-22-2010, 6:09am
Thanks for all the suggestions! I'm going to try and repair it this week.:)
MikeEdgerton
Mar-22-2010, 6:54am
If the screw hole is much larger than a round toothpick you wouldn't have a loose screw, you'd have a huge hole. In that case I'd put two or three toothpicks in it with glue before I'd start drilling. Somebody that has to ask this question in the frst place probably isn't real steady with drills and such to begin with. That's not meant as a slam, it's meant as a statement that is probably true. Before I'd suggest anyone do that I'd suggest they take it to a luthier.
Steve Ostrander
Mar-22-2010, 7:23am
I would use the toothpick method, but for a little more money you can get a non-Pac Rim, American made toothpick, and we all know that they sound better. Better yet, find a toothpick maker who will build a custom toothpick for you! :)