Allen Keys

[Beetlesmoothie]

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.

[BigRedX]

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.

[Pete1967]

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]

[KiOgon]

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

[Beetlesmoothie]

Cheers guys, much appreciated.

[hubrad]

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.

[bigjohn]

The weird one is the one for the Badass. Maplin do an Imperial set that has the right key.

[Roland Rock]

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 :-)

[Lfalex v1.1]

[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...

[paulmcnamara]

Got a B & Q set for £12.99 every allen keys poss.

Edited April 23, 2013 by paulmcnamara

[Grangur]

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

[Conan]

[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?

[BigRedX]

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!

[Conan]

[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!!

[Thunderbird]

[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]

[Conan]

[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!

[Thunderbird]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1378722776' post='2203582']
Thanks for that!
[/quote] No worries hope they are what you need

[Oopsdabassist]

[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.

[Conan]

[quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1378724017' post='2203619']
Truss rod is 3/16", bridge saddles are 1/16", just checked on mine.
[/quote]

Brilliant! Cheers.

[Conan]

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!