I tried to take the banana apart and the nut just jammed itself to the point that I finally got pissed and sawed the bent post and replaced the entire thing. Before intalling the new one though I did exactly what you say in your posting and cut it to length from the bottom. Left about 3/4 of an inch showing of threads and tried it out today and everything is ship shape.
Thanks for your help. Good luck with Ophelia! Looks like you'll be sending her towards Brian Mc. when you are through with her.

Greg

The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised. - George Will
"It's not that liberals aren't smart, it's just that so much of what they know isn't so" -Ronald Reagan