BC Rich Eagle Truss Rod Nut Stripped

Crane358 · #1 04-05-2013, 10:17 PM

Hi Everyone,

I have a 1980 BC Rich Eagle (blue birds eye maple) with a stripped truss rod nut. To be honest I have always had trouble getting a socket on it to give it a tweak. I never had a proper tool for it. So I'm guilty of doing the damage but I've always been able to get it to move if I'm careful.

Does anyone know if there is a specific tool from BC Rich for this? There is very little clearance around the nut itself. Maybe it needs to be shaved out a bit. (see attached image).

Correcting this once and for all has been on my to do list for a long time. The last time I had it in a guitar shop the tech refused to even attempt to turn it and cursed the guy that stripped it. I reminded him that was me but he still cursed as if it was someone else. Funny.

Anyway, I haven't adjusted it for years but it really needs it now. Maybe that's why its stuck. If I can't get a tool on it I thought I might go to lighter strings to lessen the tension. Currently using 105, 85, 70, 50 Ernie Ball so maybe 100 to 45's would help get the action back down by lowering the tension?

Thanks in advance,
Crane358

darkstorm · #2 04-06-2013, 02:11 AM

BC Rich wouldnt have a tool for fixing this. But I think stew mac carries something for stripped truss rod fix. More experienced repair peep would be whod youd best take it to for fix. Might be expensive if really messed up bad. In which case replacement neck might be better choice.

73jbass · #3 04-06-2013, 05:15 AM

Stew Mac,or any luthier supply will have those. My vintage BC Rich Eagles use 1/4" nut driver. A thin wall socket will work too. Or you can look here.
http://www.allparts.com/truss-rod-wrenches

Crane358 · #4 04-06-2013, 07:33 AM

Thanks darkstorm and 73Jbass,

I'll be bookmarking those websites. I definitely need one of these thin sockets so I'll order one. 73jbass, are you able to seat the socket securely? I ask this because I still feel like there isn't much room to work with and that shaving a bit of the wood out would help.

Can't really replace the neck since its a 1 piece construction. Replacing the truss rod would no doubt be a big job and involve removing the fret board?

Ideally I would like to replace the nut itself with a new one if I can get the old one off.

Cheers,
Crane388

Bobster · #5 04-06-2013, 09:11 AM

I would say try the thin wall socket which will hopefully work since it isn't deformed a little further back. If that's a no-go, off to a luthier.

Best of luck!

Bob

Crane358 · #6 04-08-2013, 06:20 PM

Thanks guys. I've ordered 2 different 1/4 truss rod tools and hopefully one of those will work. If not then off to the luthier.

Cheers!

bassclef112 · #7 04-08-2013, 06:53 PM

I've had several BC Rich's from that era and one in particular had this very issue. My tech solved it by taking a standard truss socket and carefully grinding it down so that it finally fit over the nut. Admittedly it was pretty thin - much thinner than something you'd buy. However it did work for a while, though ultimately I knew it would have to be done to another tool as the socket started to deform.

Grinding down the socket was successful and easier than trying to grind out the wood cavity. If you have the means you might want to try it or have your tech do it.

Crane358 · #8 04-08-2013, 07:40 PM

Aha .... someone who understands and shares my pain

Everytime I had the urge to tweak the truss rod I've had to deal with this and I always had to ask myself. "Great bass, why did they make it near impossible to adjust?"

Thanks for the tip. I know someone with a machine shop that could help me do that if needed.