Strap Button Screws

[bigmeh]

hopefully this is the right area of this forum for this question

So i'm looking to install schaller locking straps onto my Atom CT. I'm assuming the original screw is larger than the schaller screw, as is often the case.
if so, can anyone let me know what size screw is used for the strap buttons on the Atom CT? is it #8 1 1/2" ??

my plan is to go buy a couple more from the hardware store and shave down the head of those screws so they'll fit into the schallers.

thanks
Mike

[tom]

we use a #6 stainless sheet metal screw. the schaller screw should be able to use the same hole. the snag is that some of the strap lock screws have a smaller than standard head on them to make the screw fit within the button.

[bigmeh]

we use a #6 stainless sheet metal screw. the schaller screw should be able to use the same hole. the snag is that some of the strap lock screws have a smaller than standard head on them to make the screw fit within the button.


ok awesome. thanks Tom. i understand that the screw heat may need to be smaller so I'll buy a couple of #6s and trim the head width as required to fit the schaller button. it was the thickness of the screw itself that concerned me the most. sounds like it should be good though.

thanks again.

[dannopelli]

FWIW,

I just put the tips of one or two flathead toothpicks in the hole, fill it with Elmer's Glue, and tighten. You just have to be sure to wipe the excess glue that pops out as you go.

Over the years I've done this on so many guitars I can't recall. Has to be at least 100 or more. Never had an issue. Got to be easier than filing down screw heads!

[tom]

the strap lock screws should fit our holes just fine. the grinding would only be required if you don't want to use the strap lock screws for some reason.

[pipedwho]

The last time I installed a set of Schallers (about 5 years ago), they came with a dinky little screw that was far to loose in the existing hole. And the size of the screw didn't give me much confidence that it wouldn't tear out of a perfectly sized hole either.

Assuming this is still the case, I'd just take the existing screw, pop it into a drill and spin it against some sand paper or a file until it fit the button. 10 seconds of work, and the screw is guaranteed to fit perfectly. OTOH if the Schaller screws are the right size then you can skip that step and you've saved yourself a couple of minutes. :)

I vaguely remember also slightly drilling out the hole in the button to fit the larger screw shaft diameter.

That guitar wasn't an Anderson, and I needed buttons that could survive some heavy duty guitar gymnastics. And those dinky Schaller screws look like they would've torn out before the end of the first set.

[tom]

the dunlop screws are the same size as ours for sure. been many moons since i've seen the schallers.

[pipedwho]

The Dunlops definitely had much bigger stock screws than the Schallers. Again referring back to what I played with 5 years ago. Things may have changed since then.

[dplight]

All my guitars have schaller (or copies) strap locks. On my 2 Andersons I used the original strap button screws that came on the guitars. The screws went a little deeper into the guitar but didn't feel like they were going deeper than the pilot holes were drilled. If I were really smart I'd have checked the depth of the screw holes first. I do remember that the screw heads just did barely fit into the strap locks.

[Pietro]

I've put Schallers on two Andersons in the past few years. The screws that came with the Strap Locks worked perfectly fine, and I've had no loosening of any kind.

[bigmeh]

Thanks guys
I believe the Schallers come with #6 screws, same as Tom said he uses so this doesn't sound like it'll be an issue. I'll try it with the screws that come with the locks.

Just wanted to make sure the schaller screws aren't too loose in the atom. We shall soon find out.

I've got an LP that the previous owner had put schallers on, pretty certain those guitars use #8 screws so it's either the toothpick thing or the filing down the #8 screw head for that guitar.
Either way, I've got the schallers on there so that's what I'm putting on the atom.

....but i'll tell you, it's hard to play the LP after playing the atom. it's been almost 2 years I think with the atom and it has ruined every other guitar for me it's just that good.

[bruce]

Gibson uses a #8 screw on the butt end of the guitar. This is the same hole they hang from while painting. I suspect the screw-hook they use is the #8 size, hence the larger hole and screw on the butt end. The other strap button is a #6.

[bigmeh]

Just wanted to provide an update.
Bought and installed the schallers. they now come with two sets of screws, both #6 though but of different length. the shorter of the two sets is a 1.5" I believe. As Tom said it's the exact same size as the original in the Atom CT.

all has been installed using the Schaller screws provided and everything fits perfectly.
anyone with a similar question on the fit to the Atom CT should feel confident.

thanks for the replies everyone.

Mike