The Steel Guitar Forum

Gentlemen, I have a 1930s bakelite Rickenbacker steel guitar. It's in great shape except for the fact that the ball end of one of the strings is stuck in the string channel (it loads from the rear like a Tele). Any suggestions for getting it out? It's hard to push anything through from the front as the channel is blocked to an extent by what's left of the string. I'm reluctant to use undue force as bakelite is known for being brittle and I don't want to chip the guitar.

Try coaxing it out from the back using a sewing needle.

Maybe lubing the stuck area with an oil/viscus substance would encourage slippage. Good luck, that's kinda scary.

Anyone know whether an oil like WD-40 can have an adverse effect on bakelite?

Use the other end of the string to push it back through. If it not strong enough, use a thicker string. I'm going to guess you were changing them anyway.

Bakelite is quite inert ... A good penetrating oil won't be an issue.

If it's really stuck up there ... You may need a good machinest to do the job right.

Once out ... Use a small brass washer to keep it from happening again ...

Good luck ...

The best way I've found to dislodge those pesky bastards is to tap them out with a small allen wrench pushed through the hole from the top. Use the largest size that will fit, preferably the type with a screwdriver handle, and then lightly tap it with a small hammer. Always works for me on those cheap strat trem blocks, even when people keep loading in more strings behind the broken ones...

Mike Neer wrote:Use the other end of the string to push it back through. If it not strong enough, use a thicker string. I'm going to guess you were changing them anyway.

That's what I do. I change strings on at least 5 guitars a day, and it works like a charm.