Beetlesmoothie Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Hi guys, I am a complete novice and I've just recently bought a second hand Mark Hoppus Jazz Bass to get me going. The bass itself is pristine, looks brand new as it was hardly used, however it didn't come with an instruction manual or allen keys to adjust the string height/action. I was wondering if there are any decent quality allen key sets which would cover all the sizes I would need for the bass? I know I could buy individuals (what sizes would I need and for which part?) but thought that a complete, good quality set may come in handy for years. Thanks in advance, Steven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Just go and buy one of those 20-piece allen key sets that every DIY store has. 10 imperial and 10 metric sizes that will fit any bass you will ever own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete1967 Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Ditto... I have this and it's fitted evey bass that's come my way.... [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/25-piece-hex-key-set-3783"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/25-piece-hex-key-set-3783[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 To cover all basses you'll need one that doesn't always come in the cheap sets - Imperial 1/20" or .050". If buying a set it's better to make sure the smallest sizes are there - you're not likely to need any of the big buggers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetlesmoothie Posted April 18, 2013 Author Share Posted April 18, 2013 Cheers guys, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Something else to bear in mind is that American made gear will be imperial sizes, Mexican probably the same but possibly metric on some parts; most of the rest of the world uses metric sizes. Longer term it's worth carrying both, and as KiOgon said concentrate on the smaller ones. Prob up to about 6mm or 1/4" are the majority of what you'll ever find on instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 The weird one is the one for the Badass. Maplin do an Imperial set that has the right key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 I went to school with a chap called Alan Keys. I got a bass with tiny allen screws in the bridge saddles, so I got the Draper 30pc set. It's safe to say I'll never encounter another hexagon that I'll be unable to turn :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1366274507' post='2050299'] Just go and buy one of those 20-piece allen key sets that every DIY store has. 10 imperial and 10 metric sizes that will fit any bass you will ever own. [/quote] Yup. Just bought a huge set in B&Q. £3.99 for 20-odd keys in metric and imperial... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulmcnamara Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 (edited) Got a B & Q set for £12.99 every allen keys poss. Edited April 23, 2013 by paulmcnamara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I've been looking at this "T" handle one and thought it'd be good for the truss rod. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130564383873?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130564383873?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619[/url] ... btw it's my birthday soon. If anyone wants any ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 [quote name='hubrad' timestamp='1366287290' post='2050504'] Something else to bear in mind is that American made gear will be imperial sizes, Mexican probably the same but possibly metric on some parts; most of the rest of the world uses metric sizes. [/quote] Ah. That might explain why I am struggling to adjust the truss rod and bridge saddles on a Mexican J!! It's rather frustrating that none of my METRIC allen keys do the job. Off to the local hardware shop I think! Anyone know the specific sizes for these two jobs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 All the more reason to buy one of those 20-30 piece sets. All the metric and imperial allen keys you will ever need and probably cheaper than buying them individually! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1378713770' post='2203415'] All the more reason to buy one of those 20-30 piece sets. All the metric and imperial allen keys you will ever need and probably cheaper than buying them individually! [/quote] I have a set of twelve - but they are all metric. They've worked for everything else I have needed them for, just not stupid instruments made in America!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1378716856' post='2203463'] I have a set of twelve - but they are all metric. They've worked for everything else I have needed them for, just not stupid instruments made in America!! [/quote] Try these mate they work for me and are cheap [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310602012678?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310602012678?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 [quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1378722697' post='2203580'] Try these mate they work for me and are cheap [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310602012678?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649"]http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1423.l2649[/url] [/quote] Thanks for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1378722776' post='2203582'] Thanks for that! [/quote] No worries hope they are what you need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1378713009' post='2203399'] Ah. That might explain why I am struggling to adjust the truss rod and bridge saddles on a Mexican J!! It's rather frustrating that none of my METRIC allen keys do the job. Off to the local hardware shop I think! Anyone know the specific sizes for these two jobs? [/quote] Truss rod is 3/16", bridge saddles are 1/16", just checked on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 [quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1378724017' post='2203619'] Truss rod is 3/16", bridge saddles are 1/16", just checked on mine. [/quote] Brilliant! Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted September 10, 2013 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Panic over. I located my random collection of allen keys (mostly made up of old IKEA ones!) and as it turns out I already had the two sizes that I needed! What is bizarre though is that on the Mex Fender Classic 70s J that I currently have on loan, the saddle on the E string takes a slightly smaller key than those on the other three strings!! Gotta love Fender! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.