Yamaha BB tuner wrench ? Anyone know where to buy ?

[Boot Soul]

Yamaha BB basses from the 80's (and maybe the reissues too ?) have tuners/machine heads that have a sleeve (with the small hole in the side), over the shaft, that can be adjusted to increase/decrease the drag (friction) of the turning of the gear. As seen here on my BB3000S:



In the years I have owned this bass, I have adjusted these sleeves as needed, using a modified pair of needlenose pliers that I wrapped with tape so that they could grip the outer sleeve enough to tighten it without scratching it. But this is really a crude way of doing things, and I have always wanted to get the correct tool. It is a tool that apparently was included with the 'case candy' that came with these basses when they were new, but that seemingly every original owner loses before the bass finds its second owner. And there doesn't seem to be any source I can find to purchase a replacement tool.

Does anyone know where to get one of these tools? There is no info on the Yamaha website, nor any clear info on where to call/contact for even asking about this. I just can't find anything about this tool on the searches I have done.

Thanks to anyone with info to share.

[PJSShearer]

I still have mine, together with the allen wrench that fits the bridge height screws and the Truss rod tool (8mm socket with a long handle) with the Phillips screwdriver head on the end of the handle to adjust the intonation - sad but true!.

As it's at home at the moment, I can't include a picture of it but it appears to me that you could use a wire nail of a suitable diameter inserted in the hole to do the job.

On second thoughts, you should be able to find an allen wrench thin enough to fit in the hole that'd do the job.

[Stick_Player]

I keep my wrench in a bank safety deposit box.

[Matthijs]

I didn't know that was adjustable! I replaced my tuners with shallers some time ago, because there was not enough friction. If only I had known

As soon as i get home I'm going to see if i've got the old ones still lying around and hit stick-players bank. How much is a flight from Amsterdam to LA?

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

On second thoughts, you should be able to find an allen wrench thin enough to fit in the hole that'd do the job.

The hole does not pass through the shaft IIRC. It's more of a dimple, one on each side. I was thinking that a modified pair of spring clip pliers may work.

Riis

[Boot Soul]

There are certainly a lot of workaround modified tools that can be made to work, and I use one in the form of taped over needlenose pliers. But the original tool, which is just a very small spanner sort of wrench, is shaped like the letter "G" on the end with the little point inward at the end that goes in the shallow holes on the sleeve. It is just the right tool, specifically made to do the job it does, and I have always wanted to find one.

I can't even find a picture of one for reference, but it is basically a miniature version of a spanner like this (which is for a bicycle bottom bracket):



Anyone know of a source for the actual tool? Anyone?

[Boot Soul]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

I still have mine, together with the allen wrench that fits the bridge height screws and the Truss rod tool (8mm socket with a long handle) with the Phillips screwdriver head on the end of the handle to adjust the intonation - sad but true!.

As it's at home at the moment, I can't include a picture of it

PM sent regarding this. Thanks!

[PJSShearer]

Originally Posted by Boot Soul

PM sent regarding this. Thanks!

Here it is, as I said I had to get home from work to take the picture.

[Boot Soul]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

Here it is, as I said I had to get home from work to take the picture.

Cool man. Thanks a lot.

[PJSShearer]

Further to this, I called Yamaha UK and they don't have any to sell - the machine heads no longer have the two little holes in the sleeve so they don't make the tool anymore - Stewmac sell truss rod wrenches that will fit Yamahas though.

Anyway, I was looking in my desk drawer at work for something .... and found one of these:

http://www.staples.co.uk/office-supp...FVBO4Qod5zXH1g

Now that (with some surgery with a pair of pliers) might do the job!!.

Wot u think? - worth a try?

[gfogarty]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

Stewmac sell truss rod wrenches that will fit Yamahas though.

I've been looking for a truss rod wrench for my '84 BB300 for a long time. The only socket wrenches I can find at Stewmac are English, not metric:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Truss_ro..._hex_keys.html

[GregOndo]

Someone who has a tuner wrench could take it to a hardware store and have copies made, sell it on eBay, and make a small fortune. Most stores can make copies of keys and probably these wrenches as well. I know I would be willing to buy one.