Gibson semi-hollow strap button problem...

[Mr Wolf]

Hi guys I need some advice.

Last weekend whilst rehearsing ahead of a gig that evening the strap pin screw (for Schaller strap lock) stripped out out of the body of my ES-137. Fortunately I caught the guitar, and I had a back-up guitar so the gig went ahead ok. See attached pics showing the issue.

I now need to get my #1 gig guitar sorted. The wood the strap button was attached into was pretty thin so the screw wouldn't have had much to hang into in that position. Doesn't strike me as the best bit of design! Anyhow, what would you guys recommend moving forward? If a practical solution could be done using the original position that would be great, but I know attaching a pin into the heel is not an unusual thing with these types of guitar and so I suspect this is probably the best way to go given that would be using a solid lump of wood. That said, I am mindful of resale value so if that is done I would want to do something about the hole left over.

What are your thoughts? Any alternatives worth investigating? Many thanks in advance.

 

[Oinkus]

Re: Gibson semi-hollow strap button problem...

Fill the hole and reuse it is best. You can do the cheap easy toothpick and glue partial fill or glue a dowel you make to fit then redrill and set. If you are the collector might sell type any change is considered bad generally and will reduce the value.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Gibson semi-hollow strap button problem...

Luthier time.

Bill

 

[phil_104]

Re: Gibson semi-hollow strap button problem...

Luthier time.

Bill

Yup. If it was mine, I would ask a luthier to add a small wood block inside the guitar so that the screw has something to hold on to.

 

[Mr Wolf]

Re: Gibson semi-hollow strap button problem...

Thanks guys for the feedback - I have pretty much decided this is a job to take to a pro as well. A bit of a pain as it is not the sort of problem you would expect with a Gibson but it does sound and play brilliantly for what I am doing so I shall forgive it.

Oinkus - not so much that I am a collector, for starters since picking this up used it has seen far more wear from me in nearly 2 years than from its 10 from its previous owner! I am just wary if I ever need money it may need to go one day. Hope not though!

 

[daan]

Re: Gibson semi-hollow strap button problem...

Yeah, that guitar is pretty much totalled/write off. You better send it to me before somebody gets hurt by it!
Like the above posters said, fill the present hole (either with toothpicks or a dowel) and you're good for "a while" (could be months, could be years) or have a Luthier place a wooden block inside, where the screw comes thru and it will be sorted permanently. Or send it to me! That is a beautiful guitar.

 

[Oinkus]

Re: Gibson semi-hollow strap button problem...

I am abby normal my guitars are all heavily modified , I take saws and planers and routers to them. Soon as I get a guitar I take the paint off the neck ,change the machines and almost always the bridge and nut. My guitars are never going to be for sale, value means nothing to me , they are priceless as far as I am concerned. Guy offered me 5k cash for my LP I bought in 1981 for $400 Of course life is not a safe and predictable thing so you never know what will happen. You have no worries as long as you are comfortable with the Luthier , getting the work done by a pro is almost always a better idea than letting me terrorize it ! Good luck with that fine piece of wood !

 

[Mr Wolf]

Re: Gibson semi-hollow strap button problem...

Thanks all. It will be going in tomorrow. Can't lets this thing not be stage worthy! Many thanks again