Typed that out and realized "Rusty Screws" would make a good band name...


Anyway, I've seen a few photos of basses with screws for the back plate that are fairly corroded. 


Anything to worry about or just a consequence of the age of the instrument with maybe some sweat thrown in.

Rusty Screws and the Oxidizers.

Age possible but most likely moisture (sweat, high humidity, etc.) and if a vinegar base cleaner was used.

On an old one they would be brass wood screws and they will corrode. Ever since we started using threaded inserts for the main backplates, the screw are stainless steel so they shouldn't rust.

People lose screws and replace them with whatever, so that may also be something that happens as well.

So this is what prompted me to ask.  '82 series 1

This looks too shiny to have wood screws originally. With the recessed battery plate, I think would have originally had stainless steel screws and threaded inserts, so something happened.

Quote from: mica on February 27, 2019, 01:59:27 PM
This looks too shiny to have wood screws originally. With the recessed battery plate, I think would have originally had stainless steel screws and threaded inserts, so something happened.

Hmmmm.  By "something happened " I hope you just mean some lost screws.  Lol

While I wouldn't swear to it, the original screws on the backplate on my '09, are Phillips head - those appear to be straight slots, and may in fact, be non-original.  (Not stainless...)

When I took my 78 up to Alembic to have a master volume installed they put threaded inserts in for the backplate. I just looked at an old picture taken before the work was done and the original screws appear to be slotted head wood screws... one was missing at the time I took the photo. I don't think the wood screws ever rusted.

Gregory, if you remove one of the Rusty Screws (they become a trio!  )... sorry.


Remove a screw and look at the tip.
If the tip of the threads has a point to it then it can be assumed that they are not 'factory issued'. 
If you have threaded inserts and someone put wood screws in then chances are good that threads have been crossed.


If the tip is not pointy then chances are good someone went to the local hardware store and got some cheap machine screws. (Not stainless steel)

Quote from: pauldo on February 27, 2019, 04:59:05 PM
Gregory, if you remove one of the Rusty Screws (they become a trio!  )... sorry.


Remove a screw and look at the tip.
If the tip of the threads has a point to it then it can be assumed that they are not 'factory issued'. 
If you have threaded inserts and someone put wood screws in then chances are good that threads have been crossed.


If the tip is not pointy then chances are good someone went to the local hardware store and got some cheap machine screws. (Not stainless steel)

I don't have the bass yet but I can ask the seller to do all that. 

I don't expect a bass that's 37 years old to be issue free, but would this be a major point of concern for any of you guys?

I'm waiting for Rusty coment...

ok..asked the guy to remove the back panel and photograph the screws..photo of the screws is a little blurry,  to me it looks like these are indeed flat tip and not pointy tip screws.


I really wish i didn't get so OCD about small details...is there a Doctor in the house ? anything I can take for that ?

Quote from: glocke on March 02, 2019, 03:57:21 PM
ok..asked the guy to remove the back panel and photograph the screws..photo of the screws is a little blurry,  to me it looks like these are indeed flat tip and not pointy tip screws.  He also cleaned off the tarnish


I really wish i didn't get so OCD about small details...is there a Doctor in the house ? anything I can take for that ?

Here Greg: https://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/platescrews.html

I'd just send you some, but I don't have 5... then you'd have 3 phillips head, and 2 flat... I couldn't live with myself for doing that.

I'll let the experts here weigh in, but I don't see anything out of order with those Series 'tronics. Might replace the little foam block in the battery compartment.

I'd agree with Greg. Replace the foam which doesn't appear to have much "foaminess" left so your battery isn't rolling around (if your going to use one). Purchase the correct type of screws and unless you're looking for gold plated ones it's a cheap fix and you should have no problems. This would personally not be a major point of contention for me unless I was paying for a bass sold as "in perfect condition." The key will be how does she play once you get her into your hands. Remember the advice given many times on this forum to "exercise" the pots by turning them 50-100 times if they sound scratchy. Congratulations on your acquisition.