Truss Rod Question

Bulltrout · #1 02-18-2009, 08:37 PM

Quick question for everyone (or anyone), and a search didn't turn up what I'm looking for. Anyhow, I seem to have a hard time getting an allen wrench in to adjust the truss rod on both of my G&L's and I doubt both truss rods are the problem, so likely its the jerk at the other end. Is there a trick to getting the wrench in or is it a strange size

I've got a fair bit of experience at doing set ups on both guitars and basses, but this has me a little stumped.

Nedmundo · #2 02-18-2009, 08:47 PM

I don't know the size, and I don't think that's the issue, but the angle of the nut can make it difficult to get the wrench in there. Even with the G&L supplied wrench, it sometimes takes awhile for me to get it straight into the nut.

Bulltrout · #3 02-18-2009, 08:49 PM

Cool, at least it's not just me. I'll try it again.

Ken Baker · #4 02-18-2009, 09:19 PM

If it's a relatively new bass, the wrench size is 4mm. Otherwise 1/8"

And yeah - be sure to get it inserted as far as possible.

Ken...

Bulltrout · #5 02-18-2009, 09:52 PM

I bought them both within the past three months so I'll assume they're reasonably new, I'll try a 4mm and then 1/8th. Thanks for the responses.

Bulltrout · #6 02-18-2009, 10:25 PM

Ok, thanks for the help, I guess just knowing that they can be tricky to get an allen key into made it all easier. One needed an 8th turn one way, the other an 8th turn in the other direction and now both play like butter. Again, thanks for the responses.

**Chef** · #7 02-19-2009, 07:01 AM

The couple of new ones I worked on had the bullet off center in the hole.
I had to cut the end off the allen wrench and make it shorter to be able to get it in the bullet.

Matt at guitarmannyc hip'd me to that trick.

Bulltrout · #8 02-19-2009, 08:02 AM

I tried that also (I had to trim down an allen wrench for an older Ibanez Blazer that I set up a long time ago), but it was still a bit tricky, maybe I didn't cut it short enough. Thanks for the tip though.

**Chef** · #9 02-19-2009, 08:11 AM

I hadda cut mine down a lot...maybe 3/8's length on the "working" end.
I can measure it at home if that's helpful.

Bulltrout · #10 02-19-2009, 08:23 AM

If you don't mind, it would be a great help. I think the other issue is that once I got the allen wrench in I expected more resistance than I felt, I guess after you finally get it in, the truss rod is reasonably smooth. Thanks for all the replies. The truss rod adjustment was/is a bit tricky, but man do I love my G&L's.

**Chef** · #11 02-19-2009, 06:41 PM

there's about 1/4" of straight before it starts bending.

Bulltrout · #12 02-19-2009, 07:27 PM

Thanks, I'll shorten mine up a bit.