I broke my wammy bar

[DoubleTSurfer]

So I was restringing my Ibanez RG4EXQM1 and when i was trying to adjust the bridge the screws that adjust the spring tension popped out. I kept trying and trying to screw them back into the body, but they could never catch on the wood. What do I do? Is my guitar just screwed now? Thanks for any help.

[vaxwell]

Sounds like the hole is a little too big for your screws now. Don't worry though, this happened to me when I was changing the strap pins (to dunlop strap locks) and the screws they gave me were too small for my... err... hole.

To fill the hole, I just used a bit of wood filler that my dad had, let it set overnight and when I got home from college the next day, I screwed my screws back in. I think it's probably even stronger than before. I just hope it comes out because I've just bought a Dimarzio cliplock strap and I'll have to take out the strap pins again :)

Maybe you could try wood filler. Or buy some longer screws? I also heard that if you stick a toothpick in the hole, the screws won't come out.

[ez-one]

there was a post about a week ago that someone had torn the whammy bar out of their new Ibanez, I wonder if there is a trend here with some Ibanez guitars??? maybe the wood they are using in their bodies, or the way they are attaching them in manufacturing? Or could be just a couple problems posted so far, might be worth checking into better if you are thinking of getting one.

[DoubleTSurfer]

Wood filler eh? I might have to give that a try. Good thing I have two other guitars I can play with until then!

[Meekguitarrepair]

Are you talking about the screws that adjust the spring pressure under the bridge? If you are than woodfiller will not work. You will need some wood of the same density cut to match the diameter of the holes. This wood must fit very snugly into the holes. If they do get some good woodglue (I use Tightbond myself) and coat the small wood dowels you just made and push them into the holes. After the glue has had time to set up, trim flush the dowels to the wall of the spring pocket and redrill the holes with a slightly smaller size drill bit than the area of the screw BETWEEN the threads. After the holes are drilled, thread the screws all the way into the new holes the same way you would tap new threads in metal. Remove the screw from the hole and reinstall the spring claw. Be carefull not to break off the ground wire.