Eye Screw Question

**ScottyBHarris** · 03.21.21, 12:11 PM

I picked up some eye screws and clasps from the Vanhalenstore for my new EVH Relic Frankie. The eye hook screws are way bigger than the strap button screws. The question I have is, it seems like I will need to drill a bigger hole in the screw cavity to accommodate the eye screws. What is the best approach here?

Any details are greatly appreciated.

**AFU** · 03.21.21, 02:14 PM

Yes you’ll have to drill larger holes. My bits are all over so I don’t know what size I used. I just found a slightly smaller bit than the eyebolt screw. Tape the bit so you don’t go too far into the body. Since the holes are there just use them as a guide. and go slow. Wasn’t that hard. I’m sure there’s a vid on YT as well as others here who know how to do it better than I do.

**ScottyBHarris** · 03.21.21, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by AFU

Yes you’ll have to drill larger holes. My bits are all over so I don’t know what size I used. I just found a slightly smaller bit than the eyebolt screw. Tape the bit so you don’t go too far into the body. Since the holes are there just use them as a guide. and go slow. Wasn’t that hard. I’m sure there’s a vid on YT as well as others here who know how to do it better than I do.

Thanks for the quick response! I’ll check YT too, but wanted to make sure I was on the right track.

**evhintexas** · 03.21.21, 07:14 PM

I hand screwed them in...in and out and in and out till all the way in...

**5150rob** · 03.22.21, 07:25 AM

just go slow and it'll be fine. Thats what I've done on all my VH guitars.

pretty simple stuff

Rob

**ScottyBHarris** · 03.22.21, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by 5150rob

just go slow and it'll be fine. Thats what I've done on all my VH guitars.

pretty simple stuff

Rob

No need to drill the holes wider?

**Brett** · 03.22.21, 09:41 AM

I always use the shaft of a screwdriver to screw in the eyebolt I think it’s easier that way. You know you just stick it through the hole after you get it started and it’s easier to get leverage than just doing it by hand. I think you can actually do this without needing to make the hole bigger. Just get it started and go slow so you don’t crack the finish. My two cents anyway.

**joezlo** · 03.22.21, 10:01 AM

Do not drill bigger hole! Hand screw it in with the pre-existing hole. Use the screw driver shaft thru the eye hole if needed for leverage. Go super slow & you should be golden.

**nobozos** · 03.22.21, 11:40 AM

I had thought about doing this to the Frankie guitar, but there were a couple things keeping me from doing it. Firstly, once you do it, you really can't go back if you want to put the strap buttons on since the holes will be to bit go use the strap button screws. Secondly, I'm not sure I would be able to deal with the clanking and rattling of the metal to metal on the eye bolts. In the end, I just decided it wasn't worth it on this guitar, as I consider it to be more of a "tribute" guitar than a replica.

**Brett** · 03.22.21, 02:53 PM

I usually put black duct tape around the metal parts of the clamps so they don’t scratch my guitar or bang around. I’m not a huge fan of the eye hooks but I have used them on a couple of my replicas.

**evhintexas** · 03.22.21, 06:12 PM

The metal to metal clanging bothered me at first. I don't notice it anymore. I thought about black tape around the metal parts but thought screw it. I have eye hooks screwed into 2 USA Wolfs, a MIJ Wolf, and a USA Charvel San Dimas HH. Hard to believe but I've had those eye hooks in these guitars almost 10 years now. There's very little scratching. I don't play out anywhere. But I've put hundreds of hours on each guitar. I pick the guitar up off the floor or the stand and get after it and typically put them back on the floor or stand. Scratching just seems to be a non-issue to me. I don't anticipate ever selling any of them anyway...if I did, they could have the straps w em....