Super glue in truss rod help?

[hooky_lowdown]

Got a used bass on fleabay today, all looks good, until I start to set it up. Turns out some moron has put super glue down the truss rod hole a long, long, long time ago. Anyway, I've managed to scrape out the glue to the top of the truss rod, but I'm unable to get the glue out of the nut where the allen key fits. Any advice on how to get the remaining glue out so i can fit an allen key?

 

N.B it's a Fender neck with truss rod access at headstock only.

 

[Bigwan]

Something sharp and a lot of patience! I'd probably start at it with a small, sharp twist drill to clear out the most of it (turned by hand and being careful not to mar the faces of the nut) and then small, chisel-shaped scalpel blades or maybe something like a larger hypodermic needle might work well to get into the corners. Maybe a needle file or 2.

[Reggaebass]

Have you tried using a braddle or a small electrical screwdriver to poke down the hole to loosen it 

[T-Bay]

Very careful use of solvent?

[Reggaebass]

Quite worrying that someone has done that 

[hooky_lowdown]

I used a bradawl to remove the glue down to the hex. I don't have a small screwdriver or drill.

 

I've just ordered some superglue debonder, so hoping that will loosen some of the glue first, then I plan on using the bradawl and/or very small screwdriver to hook out the glue in the hex. Man, what a ball ache.

[Grangur]

I had a Warwick with a twisted neck and wrecked TR. I took it to a luthier who removed the fretboard, un-twisted the neck, replaced the truss rod (I supplied this), and refitted it all.

Total cost £100. So don't despair, it's not too expensive if it does go to the worst. Let me know if you'd like luthier's details.

[hooky_lowdown]

Thanks @Grangur  although if the debonder doesn't work, I'll be returning it, and getting my money back. Cheaper than luthier bill. 

[Count Bassy]

My worry is what you will find once the glue is out. I wouldn't be surprised to fins a stripped thread.

Does superglue soften at all with heat - e.g. a soldering iron??

[songofthewind]

I did this with one of those cheap copies of dentistry probes/scrapers you can get from Poundland or Boots. Worked pretty good.

[Grangur]

Yes, but as @Count Bassy says, when you've removed the glue you then have to deal with the reason why the previous owner saw fit to "fix" it with epoxy.

[songofthewind]

Yeah, I got that.

[yorks5stringer]

Either a goosed truss rod or possibly a rattling one? RTS

[Reggaebass]

Thanks grangur.  That’s funny I used to be called count bassy at school in the 80 s

[Thunderbird]

Heat up the allen key then tap it into the glue as it is hot it dissolves the glue once fullty in the hole let the glue reharden then unscrew the truss rod nut all the way off and replace it this method is pretty effective if done right

[hooky_lowdown]

UPDATE: I used debonder on the super glue along with a braddle, took some time but managed to remove much of the glue and am able to fit an allen key in now and trussrod works fine. Phew!

[yorks5stringer]

So why would anyone superglue it up in the first place....very odd!  Anyway result for you.

[Grangur]

On 12/06/2018 at 15:52, yorks5stringer said:

So why would anyone superglue it up in the first place....very odd!  Anyway result for you.

There are some folk who live in terror of their world exploding if the truss rod setting is changed.

[yorks5stringer]

I guess if you played a lot of slap bass you may worry that the truss rod might unwind....?🙄

[hooky_lowdown]

We’ll never know why!