J J Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 my new martin guitar I bought a month ago now has two holes in it from trying to drill in a strap button. I bought the set of two buttons with the wood screws, went home and first tried to screw it into the back of the neck, at the joint. Kinda like how a button is on a gibson SG. just so happens that the wood splits down the grain. So thats just great... I came home today and showed my mom how pissed I was and she says "well you could just drill it in the body by the neck there," so I thought "ok." I drill it in and it doesnt tighten up, so I pull out the screw. F***! So yea, I'm kinda pissed right now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warthog Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 Definitely would've taken it to a pro to install those, especially on an expensive guitar. Is your mom a guitar tech?? Hope you get it repaired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Ellwood Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 Ok settle down now abit! It's ok! take a match stick with some white glue on it and pound it gently into the screw hole, let sit for a day and use a pilot small drill and take the screw for the strap button load up the threads with parrifin or bar soap and screw it back in. the match stick will be the long grain which the opposite to the grain on the body wood and should work very well taking the screw..good luck! Enjoy the Martin it's a beautiful instrument! http://www.thestringnetwork.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruupi Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 Hehe, I've done the same thing before, just luckily not on a Martin. Do what Elood suggests, thats the way to solve all kinds of woodworking problems. I've even done it with net set screws, I just shove a toothpick in the hole and put in the screw. I don't even bother with glue if it sets without it. It just takes experience to learn what you can an cannot do, pretty soon you will be building guitars from scratch. Nothing like a F*** up to make you think out your next mod a bit more. I can't think of a single guitar I own that I haven't taken an ax (well maybe a screwdriver) to. Its not the best thing for resale value buy I don't buy guitars to sell 'em. My soundclick site: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=397188 My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/gruupi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdrs Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 I played for almost 40 years before I ever did anything to a guitar, except play it! I treated them like they were sacred!! In the past several years, I've swapped out pickups, and actually built two electrics. In retrospect, I wish I'd have messed with them years ago. I'd have learned a lot of useful stuff. Hang in there, JJ. You'll get your Martin back into fighting shape, and it'll be alright. If you are not sure how to solve the current problem, go to where ever you bought the Martin. I bet they'll fix 'er up, just like new. Don "There once was a note, Pure and Easy. Playing so free, like a breath rippling by." http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=574296 http://www.myspace.com/imdrs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J J Posted August 17, 2006 Author Share Posted August 17, 2006 hey thanks guys, I was just pissed. I realize it's a pretty easy fix, I just get stressed when I mess up on something that I adore so much. The first hole that I made with the crack is really the problem that made me pretty upset, even though woodglue should fix that up in a jiffy. Its just the second hole that didnt work out right that put me over the edge. I'm going to give that a try too, Ellwood thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Ellwood Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Good luck with it JJ, yeah that will fix it up fine for you. Let us know how it goes! http://www.thestringnetwork.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdrs Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 JJ.....I so relate to your reaction to accidentally damaging your Martin. Let me tell you a related story. My younger bro is an excellent guitarist. He had a small assortment of fine electric guitars, but aside from a sweet Ovation of mine I gave him, never had a really great acoustic. Then he finally was able to buy a top notch Taylor. I am not a big fan of Taylor acoustics, but this axe was just so beautiful. So, he's here at my house, and after a beer or two, goes to grab his Taylor out of it's case. Well....the lid closes as he's taking it out, and the latch gouges the face of his Taylor. Well..... I thought he was going to punch my house down!! No kidding! He was almost out of control angry. I thought he'd loose it, or actually cry. He went out on my porch and called for his wife to console him!! It was sad to see. The good news is that he sent it to Taylor, and the repair is literally invisible. You'd never know anything happened. So, take a deep breath....It'll be O.K.!! And, do let us know how you accomplish the repair, and how it turns out, please. Don "There once was a note, Pure and Easy. Playing so free, like a breath rippling by." http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=574296 http://www.myspace.com/imdrs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunbreak Music Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Luthiers can fix anything. I've got friends that have "restored" guitars that had entire chunks of wood missing--and you couldn't tell 'cept for the before and after photos. I had an old Takamine that I had been playing for a while that didn't have the peg for a strap. After watching a Michael Hedges concert, I figured I need to play standing up--so I just screwed a giant screw in halfway. Worked like a charm. But I didn't sound like Hedges Cass Anawaty, Chief Engineer Sunbreak Music, LLC High Resolution Stereo and Surround Mastering www.sunbreakmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Yeti Bigfoot, Esq. Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Originally posted by mdrs: JJ.....I so relate to your reaction to accidentally damaging your Martin. Let me tell you a related story. My younger bro is an excellent guitarist. He had a small assortment of fine electric guitars, but aside from a sweet Ovation of mine I gave him, never had a really great acoustic. Then he finally was able to buy a top notch Taylor. I am not a big fan of Taylor acoustics, but this axe was just so beautiful. So, he's here at my house, and after a beer or two, goes to grab his Taylor out of it's case. Well....the lid closes as he's taking it out, and the latch gouges the face of his Taylor. Well..... I thought he was going to punch my house down!! No kidding! He was almost out of control angry. I thought he'd loose it, or actually cry. He went out on my porch and called for his wife to console him!! It was sad to see. The good news is that he sent it to Taylor, and the repair is literally invisible. You'd never know anything happened. So, take a deep breath....It'll be O.K.!! And, do let us know how you accomplish the repair, and how it turns out, please. Oooohhh...case bite. I hate that. "And so I definitely, when I have a daughter, I have a lot of good advice for her." ~Paris Hilton BWAAAHAAAHAAHAAA!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Yeti Bigfoot, Esq. Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Originally posted by J J: hey thanks guys, I was just pissed. I realize it's a pretty easy fix, I just get stressed when I mess up on something that I adore so much. The first hole that I made with the crack is really the problem that made me pretty upset, even though woodglue should fix that up in a jiffy. Its just the second hole that didnt work out right that put me over the edge. I'm going to give that a try too, Ellwood thanks JJ, It's an understandable mistake...don't beat yourself up too bad. Try to get a small amount of glue inside the split and clamp it together (use some pieces of leather with the clamp to protect the wood from the clamp. Once the glue dries, do as Lee suggested with a toothpick or a match. Then, make sure you drill a piot hole before you try to put the screw in again. That is vitally important. Never, never, never, never, ever put a screw into something like a guitar without drilling an appropriately sized pilot hole first...it WILL split the wood, damned near every time. "And so I definitely, when I have a daughter, I have a lot of good advice for her." ~Paris Hilton BWAAAHAAAHAAHAAA!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J J Posted August 18, 2006 Author Share Posted August 18, 2006 mdrs, My reaction was WAY more mild than that. I didnt think I even raised my voice, It's just all inside. I'm usually a pretty laid back fellow. "Then, make sure you drill a piot hole before you try to put the screw in again. That is vitally important. Never, never, never, never, ever put a screw into something like a guitar without drilling an appropriately sized pilot hole first...it WILL split the wood, damned near every time. " Now you're referring to using a smaller screw or tap to start the hole before using the origional wider screw, correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdrs Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Case bite....not NEARLY as serious as...... Sasquatch Bite!!!! If I was a guitar, I'd never piss off Big Foot. Don "There once was a note, Pure and Easy. Playing so free, like a breath rippling by." http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=574296 http://www.myspace.com/imdrs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Yeti Bigfoot, Esq. Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Originally posted by J J: mdrs, My reaction was WAY more mild than that. I didnt think I even raised my voice, It's just all inside. I'm usually a pretty laid back fellow. "Then, make sure you drill a piot hole before you try to put the screw in again. That is vitally important. Never, never, never, never, ever put a screw into something like a guitar without drilling an appropriately sized pilot hole first...it WILL split the wood, damned near every time. " Now you're referring to using a smaller screw or tap to start the hole before using the origional wider screw, correct? No..you need to use a drill and a small bit and drill a hole that is smaller in diameter than the screw you are going to use. That will prevent the wood from splitting when you thread the screw in. "And so I definitely, when I have a daughter, I have a lot of good advice for her." ~Paris Hilton BWAAAHAAAHAAHAAA!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Yeti Bigfoot, Esq. Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Originally posted by mdrs: Case bite....not NEARLY as serious as...... Sasquatch Bite!!!! If I was a guitar, I'd never piss off Big Foot. Heeeeyy!! I've had my shots! "And so I definitely, when I have a daughter, I have a lot of good advice for her." ~Paris Hilton BWAAAHAAAHAAHAAA!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluesape Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Originally posted by Sasquatch51: Originally posted by mdrs: Case bite....not NEARLY as serious as...... Sasquatch Bite!!!! If I was a guitar, I'd never piss off Big Foot. Heeeeyy!! I've had my shots! Oh, that's just great! So, what's the upside? The people you eat don't get rabies? Never a DUH! moment! Well, almost never. OK, OK! Sometimes never! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J J Posted August 18, 2006 Author Share Posted August 18, 2006 "No..you need to use a drill and a small bit and drill a hole that is smaller in diameter than the screw you are going to use. That will prevent the wood from splitting when you thread the screw in. " HAHA, that's funny. That's actually what I meant, I just accidentally called it a tap... cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S. Yeti Bigfoot, Esq. Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 Originally posted by Bluesape: Originally posted by Sasquatch51: Originally posted by mdrs: Case bite....not NEARLY as serious as...... Sasquatch Bite!!!! If I was a guitar, I'd never piss off Big Foot. Heeeeyy!! I've had my shots! Oh, that's just great! So, what's the upside? The people you eat don't get rabies? OK, so it's not a PERFECT solution....you can't have everything! "And so I definitely, when I have a daughter, I have a lot of good advice for her." ~Paris Hilton BWAAAHAAAHAAHAAA!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruupi Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 I don't mind my guitars looking nice but I don't hold them precious. I get bummed if something funtional is on the fritz but I don't really get bent on cosmetic accidents. My Taylor has guages from the case but also a doozy from a lawn chair. When a 13 year old girl in my church choir tried to slap me and ended up putting a 12 inch split in the side, she was ready to cry. I just kind of laughed even though I had just bought it. I was concerened but the fix ( I took this one in to a luthier) has held for 15 years or so and I can't get mad that if I really look close I can see where it was. My soundclick site: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=397188 My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/gruupi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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