New guitar- I think the soundhole-mounted electronics have become detached in transit

Dave_Mc

ICBM said:

To be serious, if you want to re-attach the velcro properly, you will need to get a couple of small screws, preferably the type with a 'built in washer' under the head - I think they're normally called 'flanged head' or something. The real problem is getting them in - there isn't room to use a screwdriver through the soundhole - at least normally. The way I do it is to use a long screwdriver with a magnetised shaft to hold the screws, then hold the handle backwards under the bridge and the shaft under my wrist. It's not easy - either to get the screws in the right place, or to drive them in, but it can be done. The screw heads will bury themselves far enough into the velcro that they don't stop the other half sticking to it firmly.

Thanks

That sounds pretty awkward, I'm bad enough at screwing in screws when I can get at them! Is doing it like that just to ensure the velcro doesn't come loose again? It'd be a lot handier (admittedly it probably wouldn't work as well, but also less chance for me to screw it up) just to buy some more velcro if the adhesive on the current one isn't strong enough, I had a quick look on Ebay and there seems to be "heavy duty Ultra Mate" stuff which might be the thing.

(Just to be clear, and I realise you probably know this already, the velcro itself is stuck to the battery bag, while the adhesive on the other side of the velcro was stuck to the inside of the guitar.)

ICBM

I haven’t actually tried different velcro, but the issue is that the glue creeps under gentle but sustained load - it’s not the grip of the velcro to the other half that’s the problem, so if a different type uses the same type of glue it will do the same thing.

Dave_Mc

ICBM said:

I haven’t actually tried different velcro, but the issue is that the glue creeps under gentle but sustained load - it’s not the grip of the velcro to the other half that’s the problem, so if a different type uses the same type of glue it will do the same thing.

Yeah that's what I figured. Is there any reason why you couldn't just keep reapplying it, though (other than the bother)? If I did buy some I'd probably have to buy a big roll and I doubt I'd be using it for much else...

Also why do they use it if it's so crap? 

BillDL

It looks as though the OEM version fitted to your guitar (https://www.fishman.com/oem-3/#1 Page 5 of 64 - OEM-SON-GT2 I think) has the battery bag that is stuck with velcro to the end block.  I assume the battery connector block at the end of the wires pushes up through a hole in the bag, or that the battery connects and is just slid down into the bag.  Personally I would remove the bag and change it to a metal battery clip that can be screwed into the same place.  Go to Google Images and search "stainless steel 9 volt battery clip for electro-acoustic guitar" and look for this kind of clip:

A long screwdriver with a magnet held to the shaft (or magnetic screwdriver), to hold the screw on the tip of the driver so you don't need two hands, would allow you to screw that into place pretty easily.

Dave_Mc

BillDL said:

It looks as though the OEM version fitted to your guitar (https://www.fishman.com/oem-3/#1 Page 5 of 64 - OEM-SON-GT2 I think) has the battery bag that is stuck with velcro to the end block.  I assume the battery connector block at the end of the wires pushes up through a hole in the bag, or that the battery connects and is just slid down into the bag.  Personally I would remove the bag and change it to a metal battery clip that can be screwed into the same place.  Go to Google Images and search "stainless steel 9 volt battery clip for electro-acoustic guitar" and look for this kind of clip:

A long screwdriver with a magnet held to the shaft (or magnetic screwdriver), to hold the screw on the tip of the driver so you don't need two hands, would allow you to screw that into place pretty easily.

Thanks

I really don't want to be fiddling about with screws on a new guitar- especially when @ICBM says something is tricky (and he and you are really good at this stuff, I'm not!) I know to be a bit wary! I think I'll give the velcro a try, presumably if the manufacturer uses it it holds at least for a while, and (famous last words!) should be relatively easy to reattach later if it does come loose again. I could be wrong, but that seems like a better plan than attempting something which I could mess up and ruin the guitar with (especially for something which I probably will never even use!).

I'll get some strong velcro for the battery pouch alongside some superglue for reattaching the preamp- any opinions @ICBM (or anyone else) on whether superglue is still the best choice for reattaching the preamp considering what @BillDL said in his earlier post towards the end of the previous page?

Thanks again everyone

ICBM

I would use a tiny bit of superglue - less is more, you don’t want to have any squeezing out and dripping anywhere. I would put some kitchen roll inside the guitar under where you’re working, just in case (or the tube drips).

If you’re not actually going to use the electrics, it’s actually better not to put a battery in - that removes any chance of leakage after a few years, and will reduce the weight pulling the velcro off.

Dave_Mc

ICBM said:

I would use a tiny bit of superglue - less is more, you don’t want to have any squeezing out and dripping anywhere. I would put some kitchen roll inside the guitar under where you’re working, just in case (or the tube drips).

If you’re not actually going to use the electrics, it’s actually better not to put a battery in - that removes any chance of leakage after a few years, and will reduce the weight pulling the velcro off.

Excellent, thanks for the tips Would it be worth getting the "mini" version of Loctite if using such a small amount is the best way? E.g. https://www.loctite-consumer.co.uk/products/central-pdp.html/loctite-superglue-mini-trio-liquid/SAP_0201DCLSGPR8/variation/2714408.html

That's a good idea about the battery, I didn't think of that! (My other acoustic with electronics has a tuner in it which I use, so it's worth keeping a battery in it for that.)

ICBM

Dave_Mc said:

Would it be worth getting the "mini" version of Loctite if using such a small amount is the best way?

Don’t know - I just use ordinary stuff. A single non overly generous line down the middle of the pad area so it spreads out to cover the whole thing (or more or less) when you press the surfaces together is how I do it. I have had to reglue a few…

Dave_Mc

ICBM said:

Dave_Mc said:

Would it be worth getting the "mini" version of Loctite if using such a small amount is the best way?

Don’t know - I just use ordinary stuff. A single non overly generous line down the middle of the pad area so it spreads out to cover the whole thing (or more or less) when you press the surfaces together is how I do it. I have had to reglue a few…

Excellent, thanks again John. I'll get the regular one and some strong velcro ordered and report back if/when I get the thing sorted

Dave_Mc

So finally an update on this- don't want to jinx it but it's worked like a charm so far! It'll probably fall off tomorrow having posted this lol, but I superglued the preamp yesterday and it's still holding today after restringing it, so fingers crossed it's fine. (The new velcro worked great on the battery pouch too, and I removed the battery as suggested so it didn't leak.)

Thanks very much as usual for all your help to @ICBM and @BillDL

BillDL

That's good news Dave.  Hope it stays like that.

Dave_Mc

BillDL said:

That's good news Dave.  Hope it stays like that.

Thanks, me too!