i don't get it.. what do i need?

wolfmaster19 · #1 10-18-2011, 05:41 PM

i've already searched and did not find one video on youtube or anywhere else for that matter about what tool i need to adjust the truss rod..

3/16 hex wrench don't work for me..

also, i'm trying to get all the oil from my fingers out of the fretboard and have read that lighter fluid is used (will zippo lighter fluid do the trick btw? ) as a solvent to clean all the nasty stuff in between the frets, will this actually work? it sounds scary to put that stuff on the fretboard.. will i need to rub it with a toothbrush or just apply it and wait for it to do its job ?

Gord_oh · #2 10-18-2011, 05:47 PM

Fender Bass Allen Wrench 3/16 004-8693-000

your 3/16 might not be getting in enough...it should be that size.

PlanetariumERB · #3 10-18-2011, 05:53 PM

You have to take off the neck to adjust the truss rod. Once you have taken it off an allen wrench will do. If you keep just trying to stick the wrench in at that angle and turn it your just going to strip it. If you don't feel safe doing this bring it to a tech. As for cleaning the fret board I would use lemon oil. You can buy some at a music store. I use planet waves lemon oil. Just drip it onto the fret board and then rub it out with a cloth.

wolfmaster19 · #4 10-18-2011, 05:59 PM

yeah the thing is i'm looking for something to first clean the fretboard before applying fret doctor

i've read lemon oil is only for oiling, not cleaning that's why i'm interested in something that only cleans the fretboard.. thanks though

@ gordoh: i don't see how that wrench is any different than the one i'm using...

mntngrown · #5 10-18-2011, 06:08 PM

Orange oil like they kill termites with. no oil residue.
available on the web.

PlanetariumERB · #6 10-18-2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfmaster19

yeah the thing is i'm looking for something to first clean the fretboard before applying fret doctor

i've read lemon oil is only for oiling, not cleaning that's why i'm interested in something that only cleans the fretboard.. thanks though

Lemon oil will remove the grime from your fret board/clean it and also condition it though...But if you really want something that will only remove grime/clean it. You can use ronsonol lighter fluid or diluted murphy's oil soap. Ernie ball makes a product called wonder wipes for cleaning fretboards also. Either way since your fret board is rosewood your going to want to condition/oil it with something anyway.

grendle · #7 10-18-2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlanetariumERB

You have to take off the neck to adjust the truss rod. Once you have taken it off an allen wrench will do. If you keep just trying to stick the wrench in at that angle and turn it your just going to strip it. If you don't feel safe doing this bring it to a tech. As for cleaning the fret board I would use lemon oil. You can buy some at a music store. I use planet waves lemon oil. Just drip it onto the fret board and then rub it out with a cloth.

+1

Bad design idea # 120,473

Mugre · #8 10-18-2011, 06:28 PM

Regarding the Allen wrench: It's longer and the ball end allows it to work at an angle without camming out of the socket.

On my kit body, A simple oiled ash jazz bass, I used a dremel to gouge out a small channel that allows the allen wrench approach at a better angle.

Mugre

fhm555 · #9 10-18-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfmaster19

...@ gordoh: i don't see how that wrench is any different than the one i'm using...

Look at the tip of the one with the red handle...notice how it looks kinda like a ball instead of just ending in a hex?

Specifically designed to get into a hex socket off axis.

walterw · #10 10-18-2011, 07:53 PM

right, or you can take a regular 3/16" wrench and saw off the short end so it only has maybe 1/16" of straight part after the curve.

that's what i use both at work and on my own (am std) fender bass.

walterw · #11 10-18-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfmaster19

yeah the thing is i'm looking for something to first clean the fretboard before applying fret doctor

i've read lemon oil is only for oiling, not cleaning that's why i'm interested in something that only cleans the fretboard..

then you want naphtha (found with the paint thinners at the hardware store).

it'll nicely clean the board, dissolving finger gunk so a bit of 4x0 steel wool will more easily remove it while shining up the frets.

it is also good for de-greasing and de-"sticker-glue"-ing the whole instrument.

i find that wetting the board with naphtha on one rag, then repeatedly following with a dry rag to sop it back up, will leach out collected gunk in rosewood and ebony (like years of excessive "lemon oil"). once it dries, the fret doctor seems to go in better and "go away" faster, leaving a nice look without being greasy.

walterw · #12 10-18-2011, 08:05 PM

one thing, though; fender has an annoying habit of sending out their rosewood boards with some kind of hardened "stuff" on them, like linseed oil or something.

you'd have to scrape with a razor blade to get down to raw wood before applying the fret doctor. it might be easiest to just clean it with the soft steel wool and skip the rest.

Turnaround · #13 10-18-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

i find that wetting the board with naphtha on one rag, then repeatedly following with a dry rag to sop it back up, will leach out collected gunk in rosewood and ebony (like years of excessive "lemon oil"). once it dries, the fret doctor seems to go in better and "go away" faster, leaving a nice look without being greasy.

Chess. Zachary. Makes it quite rubbery.

Turnaround · #14 10-18-2011, 08:11 PM

Yes. Exactly. Makes it quite lovely.

(Sorry about that - I shouldn't try to speak with my mouth full)

warnergt · #15 10-19-2011, 01:41 PM

Removing the pick guard often makes the truss rod adjustment
much more accessible.

Those ball-ended Allen screwdrivers work well if your truss rod
turns easily. If your truss rod is tight, those ball-ended Allen
screwdrivers run a higher risk of stripping the Allen head screw.
In those cases, you will want to get a conventional Allen wrench
in there.

walterw · #16 10-19-2011, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turnaround

(Sorry about that - I shouldn't try to speak with my mouth full)

(lifted from the TGP smilie roster, which TB really needs to get on the stick and catch up to!)

skychief · #17 10-20-2011, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gord_oh

Fender Bass Allen Wrench 3/16 004-8693-000

your 3/16 might not be getting in enough...it should be that size.

the magic of this little goodie is the ball on the business end of the tool. It allows the angle required for proper insertion of the truss rod without removing the pickguard.

Rage1331 · #18 10-20-2011, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warnergt

Removing the pick guard often makes the truss rod adjustment
much more accessible.

Those ball-ended Allen screwdrivers work well if your truss rod
turns easily. If your truss rod is tight, those ball-ended Allen
screwdrivers run a higher risk of stripping the Allen head screw.
In those cases, you will want to get a conventional Allen wrench
in there.

Take off your pickguard. If you are ok with it, carve out a little spot angled towards the truss rod (or have someone do it for you). Best thing I've ever done to my Jazz, neck adjustments are a breeze now.