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SG Maestro - Cover Screws Needed

tojoba

New member
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
42
Anyone know where I can find the 4 tiny screws that are used for the Maestro tailpiece cover? Allparts and StewMac don't carry them and I have been to a few hardware and hobby stores but to no luck. I'm missing 2 of them from my SG. Thanks.
 
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akstrat61

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2004
Messages
1,845
Try calling Gibson customer service??? They should be able to point you in the right direction.
 
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loufed52

Guest
The screws are 2-56 thread, usually about 3/16"-1/4" long.

If you search ebay for 2-56 you will get a bunch of hits, and you will find many under "Model RR Trains".

They are very common in model railroading.

It's difficult to find them in nickle plate, but chrome, zinc, or stainless steel are easier to find.

I've bought the zinc plated, and discolored them a bit to make them match a bit better, but it really isn't necessary.
 

tojoba

New member
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
42
The screws are 2-56 thread, usually about 3/16"-1/4" long.

If you search ebay for 2-56 you will get a bunch of hits, and you will find many under "Model RR Trains".

They are very common in model railroading.

It's difficult to find them in nickle plate, but chrome, zinc, or stainless steel are easier to find.

I've bought the zinc plated, and discolored them a bit to make them match a bit better, but it really isn't necessary.

Thanks for the info!
 

burstman59

New member
Joined
Mar 10, 2002
Messages
1,753
Try calling Gibson customer service??? They should be able to point you in the right direction.

I doubt that. I've talked to Rick Gembar and several Custom shop people the last two yrs at the Gibson Summer Jam and the response I've gotten is gisbon doesnt sell vibrola parts period. A person might be able to order a new Vibrola unit thru an authorized gibson dealer but I'm not sure you could even do that. they do sell pickups,bridges,tuners and most plastic for both Historic and standard USA production guitars but I'm still not sure on the vibrola. The one allparts sells looks almost identical except the long plate is not engraved.
 
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loufed52

Guest
Don't bother calling Gibson.

Even if you could get someone that knows enough to get you a correct answer, they will not sell you parts.

I doubt that even a dealer would get you a new Vibrola unless it was a warranty repair.

They seem to have a real aversion to selling them.

The 2-56 screws are the right ones to get.
 

Litcrit

New member
Joined
May 9, 2002
Messages
5,990
The screws are 2-56 thread, usually about 3/16"-1/4" long.

If you search ebay for 2-56 you will get a bunch of hits, and you will find many under "Model RR Trains".

They are very common in model railroading.

It's difficult to find them in nickle plate, but chrome, zinc, or stainless steel are easier to find.

I've bought the zinc plated, and discolored them a bit to make them match a bit better, but it really isn't necessary.

Great info Loudfed, thanks! DO you by any chance know the specs for other commonly used vintage Gibson screws? Like..
Truss cover? Pickguard? Kluson tuner screws?

I have a supply hoarded over the years, but it would nice to know where repros could be found.
 
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loufed52

Guest
Great info Loudfed, thanks! DO you by any chance know the specs for other commonly used vintage Gibson screws? Like..
Truss cover? Pickguard? Kluson tuner screws?

I have a supply hoarded over the years, but it would nice to know where repros could be found.

I know the Vibrola screws because I have a set of taps and dies, even down to small ones like 2-56.

The screws that you refer to are probably wood screws, and the best way to match them up is to a wood screw chart.

My vintage Gibsons right now are '60s SGs, one of these days I'll get around to trying to figure out which screws are on them.

However, I don't know how applicable that info will be to other Gibsons, especially '50s LPs.
 

tojoba

New member
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
42
I know the Vibrola screws because I have a set of taps and dies, even down to small ones like 2-56.

I just got some 2-56 screws but they seem to be a shy too big for my tailpiece. My Vibrola is a '64....are the vintage screws smaller than the 2-56?
 
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loufed52

Guest
I just got some 2-56 screws but they seem to be a shy too big for my tailpiece. My Vibrola is a '64....are the vintage screws smaller than the 2-56?

My oldest Vibrola is a '65, so I can't say for sure about yours.

If my info was not correct for you I apologize, but 2-56 fits in all 3 of the '60s Deluxe Vibrolas that I own.

It's very possible that Gibson changed the screw sizes in 1965, they changed a lot of things in that year.

The next size down is 1-64, but I don't know for sure if that's the size that you need.

This place has 1-64 screws and has no minimum order:

http://www.smallparts.com/?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=1PTHFZ5158KNKS4MCZFR&pf_rd_p=357696801&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_s=top-1&pf_rd_m=AIUBT5HP6PMAF&pf_rd_t=301

That same company also sells through Amazon.com if you would rather order from there.

I hope that this info helps you more.
 

tojoba

New member
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
42
No apologies necessary, you have been a great help. I would have no idea what to do without your suggestions. The screws I bought were peanuts so no biggie. I think I will try the 1-64 size to see if those work.

On a side note, not sure if anyone has also been as dumb as me, :wah but I torqued off the head of one of the four screws that attach the tailpiece (the ones we're talking about here). Unfortunately, it is one of the top screws that screws into the solid block of metal. Any idea on how to try to get that out??? A size 1 screw extractor is way too big.

web.jpg
 
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