Greetings, everyone!
Well, the strangest thing has happened. I was playing my Epic 5 when I noticed the 3rd string was getting loose and tuning down. At first I suspected the string itself was gone, but then I tried to tighten it and the tuning machine was swiveling on its place. Then I took a closer look and thought the screw that keeps it in place may have come off, since the hole for the screw in the tuner seemed empty... But a closer, more detailed look showed me the screw was broken (had its head ripped off) and the remaining of it is still screwed in the headstock.


Now, I'm actually unable to send my baby to the Mothership for a fix, since I live abroad and far away and there's no way for me to be able to do so, financially and logistically, and I don't want to trust my bass to any of the guys I've known that "do work" on instruments around here. Is there any way I could try to extract the broken screw myself? Thank you very very much in advance!!!

Try this...
Remove the string.
Remove the nut on the front side of the peg head.
The tuner should slide out the back.
The screw (without the head) should be sticking out a bit.

I recommend getting a good set of pliers and grasp it firmly.  Carefully see if it wants to turn out.   If it does not, try turning it 'in' a little bit and then try backing it out again.

My biggest concern would be that if you have any sideways forces while trying to turn the screw you could end up shearing it off flush to the wood!

Wait and see what others offer before attempting this.

Quote from: pauldo on August 15, 2021, 07:09:15 AM
Try this...
Remove the string.
Remove the nut on the front side of the peg head.
The tuner should slide out the back.
The screw (without the head) should be sticking out a bit.

I recommend getting a good set of pliers and grasp it firmly.  Carefully see if it wants to turn out.   If it does not, try turning it 'in' a little bit and then try backing it out again.

My biggest concern would be that if you have any sideways forces while trying to turn the screw you could end up shearing it off flush to the wood!

Wait and see what others offer before attempting this.

Greetings, Pauldo!
unfortunately, it seems not to have very much to grasp onto...  What I was figuring is to find a way to cut a small slot in the middle and try to unscrew it from there, but have never done such a thing...

Stewmac has a broken screw removal kit.  I imagine you may be able to find a similar product for less if you look around.

Bill, tgo

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/routers-and-bits/bits/guitar-screw-rescue-kit/

Quote from: lbpesq on August 15, 2021, 10:23:01 AM
Stewmac has a broken screw removal kit.  I imagine you may be able to find a similar product for less if you look around.

Bill, tgo

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/routers-and-bits/bits/guitar-screw-rescue-kit/

There ya go!
Thanks Bill.

There's the right way and then there is my "farm-gneering" way.   

Quote from: lbpesq on August 15, 2021, 10:23:01 AM
Stewmac has a broken screw removal kit.  I imagine you may be able to find a similar product for less if you look around.

Bill, tgo

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of-tools/routers-and-bits/bits/guitar-screw-rescue-kit/

This seems like the proper (and probably th eonly!) way to do so. Thank you very much!!

Don't spend $90 on a product from screw Mac. You can get the same product elsewhere for a lot less. Do a google search.