Roger2611 Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 Hi guys and gals, I have recently picked up an old CMI bass, it needs a tweak of the truss rod to take out some of the forward bow however behind the truss rod cover I found this, what tool do I need to adjust the rod?[attachment=221068:070 Truss Rod.jpg][attachment=221069:069 Truss Rod.jpg] Thanks in advance Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 It looks like a normal hex nut but with an improvised washer underneath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted June 8, 2016 Author Share Posted June 8, 2016 Is there a specific tool for these? All my other basses are allen key adjusters or screw driver on a couple of Fenders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 This might sound stupid... Do you have a screwdriver you can change the ends on, you usually get the bits in a case with the handle and the bits pop into a hex hole at the end. I've found one of mine is a perfect fit (sans driver bit) for Rickenbackers... If not, it's a box spanner you're after. Try to measure it and look on eBay. They look like a little smoking pipe. Taylor, ric, Gibson and a few others use this type of adjuster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 [quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1465417271' post='3068111'] This might sound stupid... Do you have a screwdriver you can change the ends on, you usually get the bits in a case with the handle and the bits pop into a hex hole at the end. I've found one of mine is a perfect fit (sans driver bit) for Rickenbackers... If not, it's a box spanner you're after. Try to measure it and look on eBay. They look like a little smoking pipe. Taylor, ric, Gibson and a few others use this type of adjuster. [/quote] +1 a 'box' spanner of the appropriate size. Mini (1/4"?) sockets sometimes fit but the socket walls are often to wide. Thin wall box spanner is the way forward, no mre than a few £. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 Ah, the Tom Jones truss rod nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 (edited) Something like this but you need to measure the size of the hex nut - [url="http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/accessories-c14/tools-c50/allen-keys-and-wrenches-c51/truss-rod-wrench-5-16-inch-size-for-gibson-p671"]http://www.wdmusic.c...for-gibson-p671[/url] Edited June 9, 2016 by ikay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 + another for a box spanner although there does seem a fair amount of room around the nut so a ring spanner might work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckydog Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 (edited) A 1/4" drive socket of the correct size will prob have thin enough walls. Socket sets are available from most motorist stores and tool shops fairly cheaply, perhaps £10 or so, including a pivoted driver and sockets of various sizes. Be sure to use the exact correct size socket ! HTH ! LD Edited June 9, 2016 by luckydog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted June 26, 2016 Author Share Posted June 26, 2016 Back to the top for this one I am afraid, I brought a 1/4 box spanner which would fit the nut but it is too long to go in the channel, if I cut it down I would have to cut 90% of the socket area away meaning it wouldn't even reach the nut! I can get a 1/4 socket on the nut but can't get anything on the back of it to make an adjustment, I have my doubts a ring spanner will get in there, so it seems to be a case on elongating the channel which seems a little extreme....unless anyone has anything else that might do the trick? Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 I have a cheap magnetic screwdriver set with interchangeable bits. The driver with no bit fitted is slim enough to go on the nut and still give you something to turn it with. It fits my Ric without having to hack lumps out of the bass. Of course ymmv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 (edited) You may need to get the Gibson adjusting tool mentioned by Ikay previously. P Plan b. 1/4 socket universal drive or flexible drive Plan c. Cut the box spanner down. The length wants to be about t0 / 15 mm shorter than the truss rod 'trench' (this will allow easy on and off the truss rod nut). Drill two sets of staggered holes at 90 degrees some distance away from the hexagonal part of the spanner. Use a hole diameter that will let you insert a short bar (or Phillips screwdriver) to rotate the box spanner. Edited June 26, 2016 by 3below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1465414292' post='3068081']...what tool do I need to adjust the rod?... [/quote] Try an Ebay search for 'nut spinner', measure the dimension between flats of the truss rod nut and get one (or a set...) that fits. That should sort you out. Something of this sort should do the job... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Professional-T-Bar-Handle-Screwdriver-Set-20-Bits-Sockets-Holder-Nut-Spinner-/201480477318?hash=item2ee92c1a86:g:USwAAOSwcBhWYEHS"]T-Bar Nut Spinner set ...[/url] Edited June 26, 2016 by Dad3353 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted June 26, 2016 Share Posted June 26, 2016 (edited) <Bodge Alert> If you can get the 1/4 inch socket on the truss rod nut then you may be able to insert an appropriate size flat head screwdriver blade into the 1/4" drive socket (ideally across the diagonal). You will be able to do this at an angle that clears the truss rod 'trench' </Bodge Alert> Dad3353's suggestion reminded me of the bodge method. Edited June 26, 2016 by 3below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 [quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1465417271' post='3068111'] Do you have a screwdriver you can change the ends on, you usually get the bits in a case with the handle and the bits pop into a hex hole at the end. [/quote] Do you know, this is such an amazing tip. I've got a Stanley screwdriver like this and it's never actually crossed my mind that (if it fits) I could possibly use it this way. Top tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted June 28, 2016 Share Posted June 28, 2016 Or maybe this would do the trick: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/286772-truss-rod-tool-for-rickenbacker/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted July 6, 2016 Author Share Posted July 6, 2016 Thanks guys, borrowed a 7mm Snap on ring spanner from a mate, that was thin enough to get on the nut....job's a good un as they say! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 Bassbunny gets the prize for the winning solution Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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