Epiphone Les Paul Special II Schaller Strap Locks Help

[eckstar]

Hey, everyone. I just got some Schaller Strap Locks for my Epiphone Les Paul Special II but I need some help installing them. The Schaller screws are slightly bigger than the stock ones so they do not fit in the holes. What should I do?

I'm guessing that I should drill the holes bigger but I don't really know much about this stuff so I'm being extra cautious. If I am supposed to drill the holes bigger, what size bit would I need for the Schaller screw to fit?

Thanks to anyone who can help me. Sorry if there is already a thread about this problem.

 

[reSINguitarist]

Are they too big in diameter or too long? If they're too long, you'll need to drill (sorry, don't know the bit size).

If they're just too big and you want them permanently, I've always just screwed them on in... Always had good results, and the Schallers are all I use.

Of course you could always just use your original strap button screws...

 

[eckstar]

Thanks for the reply.

The Schaller screws are bigger in diameter. I guess I could try just screwing them in or using the original screws. Is it really that easy? Has anyone had any problems using these methods? Also, would it be better to just use the original screws or screw in the Schaller ones?

 

[eckstar]

I decided to use the original screws. At first, I tried to screw in the Schaller screws but the finish near the hole got chipped. At least the felt washer covers it up. But I know it's there.

The original screws seem to be working fine for the moment. I hope it stays this way.

 

[diceman]

Its always nice to get that first bit of damage out of the way.

 

[reSINguitarist]

Sorry about your finish. That's never happened to me before. Better a tiny chip under the washer than your strap popping off and the axe hitting the ground. At any rate, it is good to have that first dent/ding/scratch out of the way. If you do any gigging at all, there'll be more to come.

Eli

 

[diceman]

I was going to give the same advice - just drive that screw in, it isn't THAT much larger than stock. I've got little finish chips here and there around strap buttons on many of my guitars. The "right" way is to drill I suppose, or to drill and dowel when using smaller screws. I just stuff a toothpick in there and force a screw in most of the time.

 

[TeleDog]

You could do the damage yourself, and you will over time now matter how hard you try not to, or you can pay $$$$ to have that relic look. I prefer the former, and you have a story to tell!

 

[reSINguitarist]

I was going to give the same advice - just drive that screw in, it isn't THAT much larger than stock. I've got little finish chips here and there around strap buttons on many of my guitars. The "right" way is to drill I suppose, or to drill and dowel when using smaller screws. I just stuff a toothpick in there and force a screw in most of the time.

Same thing here.

You could do the damage yourself, and you will over time now matter how hard you try not to, or you can pay $$$$ to have that relic look. I prefer the former, and you have a story to tell!

Amen brother.

 

[eckstar]

Thanks a lot for the advice, everyone! I'm a bit of a perfectionist so I freaked out when that tiny chip came out. There's no such thing as perfect, though.

I think I might rescrew them with the Schaller screws, just for the sake of it. It feels like a waste, just leaving them in the packaging.

 

[TeleDog]

If it wasn't for imperfection you, me, and the entire universe wouldn't exist at all. It's a fact, ask Steven Hawkin! Not kidding you either!

 

[eckstar]

If it wasn't for imperfection you, me, and the entire universe wouldn't exist at all. It's a fact, ask Steven Hawkin! Not kidding you either!

Quite true!

I screwed in the Schaller screws just a moment ago. They fitted perfectly into the holes. It just required a bit more energy to screw them all the way in. A bit of the finish was chipped away with it. Oh well.

 

[TeleDog]

If you have an ebony Special II, you can buy a nitro marker from Stewmac and qiickly cover the damage. Easy as pie. I wouldn't bother, but that's just me.

I got an ebony Studio I bought in the very early 90s, the gold hardware is not gold no more, it's got more chips and dings than I can count including a scar on the side that involved a gig, beer and a 4x12. Natural relic process. I'm not gonna have it refinished, it plays awesome the way it is, still delivering the goods after 20+years.

I still try to take better care of my standards, but that's a choice I made, a ding is not gonna kill the tone, if anything, it'll add some character to the instrument.

A note on Special IIs. I bought one to kill time, I thought it was gonna be just a toy, garbage. Upgraded the pickups with some GFS stuff in zebra, nice knobs and a full setup. That little guitar blew my mind! I tell you, it was nice as nice can be, real good playability and tone. I was surprised. I parted with it but still have the good memories.

It amazes me why more people don't take that, give it some active pups... there you go, metal guitar with cool looks for cheap. I might get another one just to do that.

 

[Dolebludger]

When I put Shallers on my Epi LP '56 Goldtop, I found that the diameter of the original strap lock screws was to great to fit within the Shaller recess, so I went with the Shaller screws. They went in with just a bot more pressure on the screwdriver. Of course, they enlarged the screw hole, but if I ever want to put the stock buttons back on, I can always use the toothpick trick. I had no trouble with any chips on the finish. Guess I was just lucky. But to prevent such chips, you can get out your drill bit set and find a bit that is just a little smaller in diameter than the Shaller screws. Then you can gently drill a shallow hole through the finish, and no chipping should occur.