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How many of you guys are using some kind of thread locking compound on your bolt-on necks? I've seen them loosen especially if the instrument dries out a little.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Terence, are you using barrel nuts?
I use the end grain soft steel inserts and have not had this problem.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

If the bolts loosen due to drying out of the guitar ... locktight wont help .. the wood is shrinking.

just tighten them up again ....

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Thanks guys, Yes I'm using barrel nuts and the Furniture bolts with a reinforced tenon.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Hi Terence,

I've had the same problem too and I was also thinking of the same solution, although it always sliped my miond to get myself some locking compound.

Tony, why do you think it wouldn't work? At least, it would prevent from the screws to complettely unscrew themselves out. This happened to me twice during winter when I didn't bother enough about humifiying my guitars. The bolts got loose and I guess the vibrations of the guitar had them unscrew themselves. With locking compound, the screw would have remained there, and in addition to that would have become tight again once the guitar would be humidified back to it normal state.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Well I guess they might tighen after the guitar takes on moisture .. but there is no guarantee that will happen. The wood may be compressing as well, and humidity alone wont bring that back. You still may need to snug them up ...

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Mine came a bit loose too when it was new, wouldn't stay in tune real well, and that was the issue. I tighten them now every few months. After the second tightening, it has stayed put.

There are different levels of thread compound, I think you would want the blue stuff and just a little, enough that it won't rattle, but not too much that it will be hard to turn, sure would be a pain when the day comes for the reset and the bolts won't budge.

My hardware store does not sell them, but on the Mottola site he recommends (2) Stainless Belleville washers, ¼" screw size (part# 91235A112, package of 10); from Mcmaster Carr.
the article: http://www.liutaiomottola.com/construct ... ocId206441

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Ditto on the Belleville washers. I get mine from Keybelleville.com...Item #KO637-A-032

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I've had this sort of problem on 2 or 3 guitars so I changed to this system.

I was never that comfortable screwing the inserts into end grain even when epoxying or treating the area with CA.

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Bob Connor
Geelong, Australia

That's exactly what I had in mind. But I'll be looking into these washers. They look promising too.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

I used Loctite on some bolts with some bad results...when I tried to remove the bolts,I stripped the threads on the bolts that hold down the fingerboard extension...I had to reach inside the box with a file and file down the bolt heads to get the neck off....I won't be using loctite anymore....

Another vote for Belleville washers.

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Randy Muth
RS Muth Guitars Website
RS Muth Guitars Blog
Facebook Fan Page

Sounds like the consensus is that this can't happen from vibration but is a wood compression/shrinkage issue and locking compounds would be a bad idea. I messed around with Belleville washers some time back, thanks for the part # you use JJ. I'll look at them again. Have any of you ever seen loose bolt-ons from companies that cover their bolt heads with wood plugs?

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Godin guitars that comes in for ajustments (Norman, Simon & Patrick, Art & Lutherie, La Patrie) often have loose bolts. You can hear them ratteling when shaking the guitar.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Just when I was thinking about switching over to bolt on. Sounds like loosening bolts due to compression, shrinkage, lack of spring washer, or maybe just not tight enough from the get go, is not all that uncommon. This is timely since I was planning on covering the nut (planning on using hanger bolts) with a wooden plug like many do. Anyone else having issues with loosening bolts?

Chuck

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Yes, blue thread lock. I like the thicker stuff that comes out of the tube when you turn the knob at its base. Do not use red.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I use hanger bolts and nuts, as well as bellville washers. I put a drop of wood glue on the nuts. I don't know if this actually does anything or not. I believe using well seasoned, dry wood for the neck block is really important.

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