BigRedX Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I own this bass: A Hartke XL-4 which I bought second hand about 18 months ago. It has a bit too much relief in the neck and so I need to adjust the truss rod. Not a problem normally except that this bass seems to require a specialised tool to do the job. The fitting at the end of the truss rod isn't your standard allen key hexagonal or crossed slot (like a Fender) but something that looks like a cog in reverse, and would require a tool with a cog shaped fitting on the end. Any idea where I can get the proper tool to do this job? I'm prepared to pay for one. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 [quote name='BigRedX' post='761613' date='Mar 2 2010, 10:48 AM']The fitting at the end of the truss rod isn't your standard allen key hexagonal or crossed slot (like a Fender) but something that looks like a cog in reverse, and would require a tool with a cog shaped fitting on the end.[/quote] I have no idea about the Hartke basses, but might it be a [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torx"]Torx[/url]? If so, if you've got a multi-bit screwdriver, you should be able to get hold of a set of Torx bits for not much cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 No it's got more "teeth" and less difference between the outer and inner circumferences than a Torx. Looking at the list on the right of the page you linked to its more like a Triple Square, Spline Drive or a Double Hex. Also to be able to adjust the truss rod without removing the neck, it needs to be 90° angled like an Allen Key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 [quote name='BigRedX' post='761640' date='Mar 2 2010, 11:09 AM']Looking at the list on the right of the page you linked to its more like a Triple Square, Spline Drive or a Double Hex.[/quote] Ah well. Worth a shot from my ignorance! Those patterns look like perfect recipes for stripped heads unless they're [i]seriously[/i] hardened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HartkeUK Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 I don't know myself but I have got somebody in the USA looking into it for me. Will let you know. Gareth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 Many thanks Gareth. I hope you're successful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HartkeUK Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Just got this. "Gareth, The truss rod adjustment tool was not specialized. It is a standard 1/2" hex key. Regards, J Hartke Customer Service Department Supervisor" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 3, 2010 Author Share Posted March 3, 2010 Are you sure you mean 1/2"? The biggest imperial size Allen key in my set is 3/8" and that looks way to big. It's difficult to see exactly what's going on in the slot for the truss rod adjustment, but the fitting definitely looks "toothed" and too regular for it to be damage from inexpertly adjusting the truss rod. I'll try and find time in the next couple of days to take the neck off and have a proper look at the fitting, and post some photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throwoff Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Pic of truss rod? Just to satisfy my curiosity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 [quote name='throwoff' post='763113' date='Mar 3 2010, 04:41 PM']Pic of truss rod? Just to satisfy my curiosity[/quote] +1! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 Did you get this sorted, BigRedX? Just wondering out of idle curiosity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 17, 2010 Author Share Posted March 17, 2010 Sort of... I've taken the neck off and the tool required is a 1/4" allen key. The socket for the key is confusing because it's "doubled" to allow twice as many key positions which gives it the cog-like appearance rather than a standard hexagonal shape, obviously to compensate for the narrowness of the slot in the body. However with the neck off I can't get enough leverage to turn the truss rod in either direction, and all the 1/4" keys I have are too long (30-33mm) to fit in the socket with the neck in place - it needs to be about 20mm long. So until I can find a smaller 1/4" key or the time to cut one of the ones I have down to fit, the neck is going to have to remain with slightly too much relief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted March 17, 2010 Share Posted March 17, 2010 [quote name='BigRedX' post='777222' date='Mar 17 2010, 12:12 PM']Sort of... I've taken the neck off and the tool required is a 1/4" allen key. The socket for the key is confusing because it's "doubled" to allow twice as many key positions which gives it the cog-like appearance rather than a standard hexagonal shape, obviously to compensate for the narrowness of the slot in the body. However with the neck off I can't get enough leverage to turn the truss rod in either direction, and all the 1/4" keys I have are too long (30-33mm) to fit in the socket with the neck in place - it needs to be about 20mm long. So until I can find a smaller 1/4" key or the time to cut one of the ones I have down to fit, the neck is going to have to remain with slightly too much relief.[/quote] Ah, so it [b]is[/b] a Double Hex! Is it possible to get hold of a 1/4" version of the Fender truss rod tool? You know, the red-handled T-shape one with a ball end: That gives enough access on my Precision, and the truss-rod access point on that is way tighter than the Hartke looks. Ball-end is the key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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