Sibob Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 Hey all! I've got two American Fender Jazz's, I've never had to adjust the action on my Standard so hadn't noticed, but on the Deluxe that I've just acquired i tried to raise the action and realised that the allan keys i had didn't fit! The smallest key was to small, and the next size up was to big. Then tryed it on my USA standard and same thing, then asked my housemate about his USA Tele, and same problem! Anyone have an idea? Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 Sounds like some crazy imperial size to me and you've got metric ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted July 2, 2007 Share Posted July 2, 2007 They are indeed imperial. Worse luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted July 3, 2007 Author Share Posted July 3, 2007 Ah ok Can i get Imperial keys from most DIY stores? Cheers a lot Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 [quote name='Sibob' post='26333' date='Jul 3 2007, 02:46 AM']Ah ok Can i get Imperial keys from most DIY stores? Cheers a lot Si[/quote] Maplins stock 'em... [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=3783&C=Maplin&U=SearchTop&T=HEX%20KEY&doy=3m7"]metric/Imperial set[/url] [url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=43315&&source=14&doy=3m7"][size=1]very small[/size] metric set[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbloke Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 I believe the exact size is 1.5x40. Maplin do a pro's kit screwdriver set with numerus hex,posi, torx and other specialist screwdrivers. I borrowed the 1.4 x40 SNCM one out of a box from work and it fits oerfectly and is much easier to use than an allen key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted July 3, 2007 Author Share Posted July 3, 2007 (edited) ok cool, cheers well i was in wilko's briefly and saw a key set that was measured in inches, brought it on the offchance for 99p. The smallest size is 1/16" and is to small! :-s How does the measurement 1.5 x 40 fit in? On the Maplin imperial set above, do people think it would be the 5/64 size i need? Si Edited July 3, 2007 by Sibob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted July 3, 2007 Author Share Posted July 3, 2007 So i went out and bought a 5/64 allen key (19p lol).............to big!! Which means, on an imperial set the 1/16 is to small and the size above it, said 5/64, is to big!!! I asked the guy in the hardware shop what 1.4x40 meant, and he didn't know lol In the Immortal words of Timmy "Please help me!!!.........GOBBLES" Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestar Posted July 3, 2007 Share Posted July 3, 2007 (edited) When I had a similar problem on my St**tocaster afew years ago I rang Fender's UK distributor, Arbiter at the time, and they sent me one. My Jazz came with a t-bar allen key type thing with a ball end that you can use at an angle. it would be worth tracking one down if your adjuster is at the body end of the neck. [email protected] i've just dug out the parts list that came with my US std jazz case candy. It came with a 3/16" bondhus allen Wrench part no.004-8693-000. bridge saddle adjuster is 1/16" An IKEA allen key that came with a flat pack fitted my old G&L perfectly! I wouldn't recommend this though as it's easy to bugger up the adjuster if you don't have a perfect fit Hope this helps Edited July 3, 2007 by lonestar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cooke Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 [quote name='lonestar' post='26687' date='Jul 3 2007, 07:57 PM']When I had a similar problem on my St**tocaster afew years ago I rang Fender's UK distributor, Arbiter at the time, and they sent me one. My Jazz came with a t-bar allen key type thing with a ball end that you can use at an angle. it would be worth tracking one down if your adjuster is at the body end of the neck. [email protected] i've just dug out the parts list that came with my US std jazz case candy. It came with a 3/16" bondhus allen Wrench part no.004-8693-000. bridge saddle adjuster is 1/16" An IKEA allen key that came with a flat pack fitted my old G&L perfectly! I wouldn't recommend this though as it's easy to bugger up the adjuster if you don't have a perfect fit Hope this helps[/quote] allen adjusters scare me... the truss ones just seem so soft... and they're in so deep that getting access is hard. I've found that T-bar allen wrenches are like the proverbial rocking horse poo. Hardware shops just don't stock them... and even Maplin don't carry any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestar Posted July 4, 2007 Share Posted July 4, 2007 [quote name='Paul Cooke' post='26839' date='Jul 4 2007, 08:08 AM']allen adjusters scare me... the truss ones just seem so soft... and they're in so deep that getting access is hard. I've found that T-bar allen wrenches are like the proverbial rocking horse poo. Hardware shops just don't stock them... and even Maplin don't carry any.[/quote] I couldn't agree more . Should be able to get one from Fender though. if not a good toolshop or on the interweb. I go to one in Cambridge called McKays for things like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted July 4, 2007 Author Share Posted July 4, 2007 Its just a bit weird, that a couple of guys above said that a 1/16" should fit, but it doesn't on both basses. Do fender have their own sizes? Probably just email Fender UK in a sec Cheers Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 [quote name='Sibob' post='27151' date='Jul 4 2007, 08:23 PM']Its just a bit weird, that a couple of guys above said that a 1/16" should fit, but it doesn't on both basses. Do fender have their own sizes? Probably just email Fender UK in a sec Cheers Si[/quote] The hex holes on the saddle adjusters may have been enlarged by a previous owner trying to do the same thing. I've tackled this problem by using fine emery paper to take the rough edges off the end of a 5/64 hex key, which then slips in a treat. Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 Perhaps on the Deluxe i guess But my Standard USA, although 2nd hand, was absolutely mint when i got it, someone can't wear down the saddle screws that quick surely!? Well i've emailed Fender UK, so awaiting an opinion from them Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted August 18, 2009 Share Posted August 18, 2009 (edited) Sorry to drag up an old topic but did anyone get an answer to this? I want to higher the action on my S1 Jazz and the size allen key needed, (in metric), isn't readily available information. Edited August 18, 2009 by Shambo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcrow Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 [quote name='Sibob' post='26333' date='Jul 3 2007, 02:46 AM']Ah ok Can i get Imperial keys from most DIY stores? Cheers a lot Si[/quote] a pound shop will have some...my daughter got me a set from woolies...and i have seen them in asda a tool shop will be a rip off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share Posted August 19, 2009 Yup, Imperial set is what you need, not sure of the specific size, although can find out if you don't want to buy a whole set (although that is helpful) Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I've just bought a 1/16 imperial allen key on ebay for 99p. Hopefully that'll do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 I bought a set of 32 allen keys (16 metric and 16 imperial) from my local DIY store for about £7.00 and haven't found an allen bolt that I haven't been able to adjust yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 So it's definately the 1/16 allen key I was looking for. Not all allen keys are made equally though. Whilst waiting for a 1/16 key off ebay I saw an imperial set of keys in the local Wilkinsons for 99p. Despite the pack clearly stating a 1/16 key, [i]their one was too small[/i] and couldn't get any purchase on the saddle.... 2 days later the ebay one turns up and it's a perfect snug fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Rumble Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Allen keys like anything else tend to be made to diferent tolerences and you can end up with a key the correct size but manufactured at the bottom of its tolerance ie 1.5mm key actualy being 1.43mm if you add to this the screw you are trying to adjust being manufactured at the top of its tolerance 1.53mm then you can have a problem. One also has to remember that the quality standards and and material used by the manufacturers who supply shops like poundstreacher or simlar can be questionable to put it mildly. I suggest you find an engineering tool supplier in your area and buy the allen keys singly from them. I had exactly the same problem just recently with a Warwick the supplied 1.5mm key would only fit about a third of the screws I measured it and sure enough it was on the small side so bought 2 1.5 keys from local engineering tool supplier at a vast cost of 26p inc vat total they measured 0.03mm bigger than the Warwick one and now I can adjust all the screws. By the way the smaller the Allen key the worse this problem is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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