what size torx wrench ???

[mmm74gw]

I have a us P bass - the intonation screws are NOT philips, nor hex !! Does anybody know what I need to set intonation? Is it in fact a "torx" wrench? Thanks all

[Jason Brown]

That doesn't sound right to me -- not for stock screws anyway. How old is the bass? Do you have pics?

[JxBass]

I've had P basses whose saddles required a very small allen wrench. A torque wrench is a whole different animal and wouldn't apply to adjusting a bass.

[RandyMolson]

They mean torx, those evil screws that strip with any real torque. Auto and electronic mfgrs introduced them in the 90s and more new items seem to have them every year. Don't know about the pbass, just adding background. Torx = evil.

[alexgeddy]

Might want to try metric!!

[JxBass]

Originally Posted by RandyMolson

They mean torx, those evil screws that strip with any real torque. Auto and electronic mfgrs introduced them in the 90s and more new items seem to have them every year. Don't know about the pbass, just adding background. Torx = evil.

You're right! I have encountered those once - forgot. My bad.

[lug]

Originally Posted by RandyMolson

They mean torx, those evil screws that strip with any real torque. Auto and electronic mfgrs introduced them in the 90s and more new items seem to have them every year. Don't know about the pbass, just adding background. Torx = evil.

I've heard that IBM first started using them on their monitors to keep local yokels from electrocuting themselves back in the 80's. The most pissed off I ever was at a car company was at GM for not only putting torx screws in their headlights (normallu a common replaceable part), but for actually using anti-tamper torx (the bit has a little hole in the middle and the screw has a shaft sticking up that keeps a regular torx bit from working in it). AshHoles!

[3506string]

Take your bass to a store that sells fasteners. They should be able to tell you.

My wheel hub on my first car was held on by 4 torx bolts. When to autozone bought the bit. Tried to loosen it and it bent instantly. The last one I managed to nearly strip completely. I ended up having to use a combination of a new torx bit, some vice grips and a deep well socket to get them off. I went lowes and bought 4 standard nuts and bolts and threw the old ones away. Leave it to some innovative genius to make a 30 min repair take hours.

[ulrich]

If Torx screws are stripping easily, you're using the wrong size driver.

If Phillips screws strip easily, they're just being Phillips screws. They are meant to cam out, which leads to stripping.

I drive screws all day long at work; Torx is miles better than slotted, Phillips, square, and allen.

I doubt the OP's bridge has Torx fasteners.

[PurpleDrank]

Originally Posted by ulrich

I doubt the OP's bridge has Torx fasteners.

Me too. If it's a new production Fender, unless it was bought used and they were replaced by a previous owner, it doesn't have torx intonation screws.

My 2010 AmDlxP uses an odd, but standard not metric, size Allen key. It is not included (Grrr) and it took me a couple days to source the right size one.

I'll check which size it is when I get home.

EDIT: Found this in another thread about the new US jazzes with the same "vintage High Mass" bridges: "the screws are 7/64" hex, but the case candy included no wrench. Worse, the owner's manual states that intonation is set via a Phillips screwdriver. Doh. C'mon, Fender. Really?" My feelings exactly.

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by PurpleDrank

Me too. If it's a new production Fender, unless it was bought used and they were replaced by a previous owner, it doesn't have torx intonation screws.

My 2010 AmDlxP uses an odd, but standard not metric, size Allen key. It is not included (Grrr) and it took me a couple days to source the right size one.

I'll check which size it is when I get home.

EDIT: Found this in another thread about the new US jazzes with the same "vintage High Mass" bridges: "the screws are 7/64" hex, but the case candy included no wrench. Worse, the owner's manual states that intonation is set via a Phillips screwdriver. Doh. C'mon, Fender. Really?" My feelings exactly.

Generally in my experience intonation is typically set by long Phillips screws of which usually at least one is typically very nearly stripped out after setting intonation once. Better are the Allen hex head ones, but as noted size is often weird and even questionable (I've had basses where I've tried BOTH metric and SAE sizes and neither fitted right)

Torx if you've got 'em would be perfect! Yes, they do come that small but finding the smaller drivers can be a trick. What you want (and what I do) is to take an inventory of all the screws on each and every bass I own and collect a set of WHATEVER it takes to adjust/remove/tighten each one of those screws and put those tools in a baggie in the bass case. For small and even larger screws taking a standard or Phillips screw driver, Cresent (the adjustable wrench co.) makes this truly cool folding screw driver that is small and folds up but has about 6 tips to fit virtually all standard screws. I have one in each bass case. (plus the Allens etc.)

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by ulrich

If Torx screws are stripping easily, you're using the wrong size driver.

If Phillips screws strip easily, they're just being Phillips screws. They are meant to cam out, which leads to stripping.

I drive screws all day long at work; Torx is miles better than slotted, Phillips, square, and allen.

I doubt the OP's bridge has Torx fasteners.

+1 I have been a mechanic for 40+ years. Torx screws beat any other type of fastener out there. And that includes tamper proof.

[SurferJoe46]

Torx is so much better - and as the name implies 'torx' they can take a lot more pressure to turn them and not fail as a Phillips may.

OK - Phillips - or Cruciform drivers are a total mystery to some people. A Phillips is not encessarily a Phillips.

There's Phillips SAE (Society of The American Engineers), Phillips JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) , Phillips DIS (German Industrial Standard), DIS-2 (German Version #2), Posi-Drive, Reed-Prince, Torq-Set, Posi-Drive, Supa-Drive and Cross & Trunnion.

There are even special cam'd version like they use in patio decking and can take all sorts of power to run them in without tearing the head to pieces - once!

Add to this the fact that there are different sizes that can range from ultra tiny watchmaker's Phillips all the way up to ones that might be used to hold a ship together. OK - I fudged that a little - but this 4-pointed design is so complicated that you can really mess up one screw by using the wrong cruciform driver.

A lot of the Squiers are coming in with JIS Phillips. Don't even think of using an American or German Phillips in it - instant destruct-o.

Using a JIS Phillips driver on an older Fender with SAE Phillips in it will damage them as badly as the other way around too.

I keep JIS and SAE and some German Phillips in my guitar screw collection all the time and they are different enough that side by side they look different to the untrained eye too.

They are all different and there's not much room for error. When in doubt, fit the driver into the screw head and try to see how much 'play' there is in it and if you can find another screw driver that fits better. I bet you can.

Until ISO dimensions and designs can be globally instituted, there's gonna be a lot of confusion over this problem.

[KramerBassFan]

Stuff like this makes me glad to have easily sixty or so (different) screw drivers in the house...

[joeyl]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Torx is so much better - and as the name implies 'torx' they can take a lot more pressure to turn them and not fail as a Phillips may.

OK - Phillips - or Cruciform drivers are a total mystery to some people. A Phillips is not encessarily a Phillips.

There's Phillips SAE (Society of The American Engineers), Phillips JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) , Phillips DIS (German Industrial Standard), DIS-2 (German Version #2), Posi-Drive, Reed-Prince, Torq-Set, Posi-Drive, Supa-Drive and Cross & Trunnion.

There are even special cam'd version like they use in patio decking and can take all sorts of power to run them in without tearing the head to pieces - once!

Add to this the fact that there are different sizes that can range from ultra tiny watchmaker's Phillips all the way up to ones that might be used to hold a ship together. OK - I fudged that a little - but this 4-pointed design is so complicated that you can really mess up one screw by using the wrong cruciform driver.

A lot of the Squiers are coming in with JIS Phillips. Don't even think of using an American or German Phillips in it - instant destruct-o.

Using a JIS Phillips driver on an older Fender with SAE Phillips in it will damage them as badly as the other way around too.

I keep JIS and SAE and some German Phillips in my guitar screw collection all the time and they are different enough that side by side they look different to the untrained eye too.

They are all different and there's not much room for error. When in doubt, fit the driver into the screw head and try to see how much 'play' there is in it and if you can find another screw driver that fits better. I bet you can.

Until ISO dimensions and designs can be globally instituted, there's gonna be a lot of confusion over this problem.

thanks for the info, I was unaware of the differences!

[RandyMolson]

I seriously don't understand the fastener experts here who like torx. I don't question your expertise, but I wonder if you have ever tried to remove a torx on something that has been weathering in the real world for a decade or so.

I have been wrenching for more years than I care to mention, and I know all about proper tool selection, fitment and technique. When it comes to torx on an older car, chances are I end up having to drill out or cut off the bolt head. Also, the torx tools and bits are only good for a handful of uses before they visibly distort and twist, shortly followed by the inevitable "strip."

All I can think is you (pro-torx folks) work with only brand new applications, or shelted, climate controlled applications like PCs. The use of torx in the auto industry is an absolute bane.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by RandyMolson

I seriously don't understand the fastener experts here who like torx. I don't question your expertise, but I wonder if you have ever tried to remove a torx on something that has been weathering in the real world for a decade or so.

I have been wrenching for more years than I care to mention, and I know all about proper tool selection, fitment and technique. When it comes to torx on an older car, chances are I end up having to drill out or cut off the bolt head. Also, the torx tools and bits are only good for a handful of uses before they visibly distort and twist, shortly followed by the inevitable "strip."

All I can think is you (pro-torx folks) work with only brand new applications, or shelted, climate controlled applications like PCs. The use of torx in the auto industry is an absolute bane.

Hey! Not every mechanic needs to use a smoke wrench since we don't (in my now retired after 47 years situation) live in salt-on-the-roads Penn-silly-vania!

Frozen fingers, bolts and mud encrusted-rusty cars don't exist in La-La and. (LA).

BTW: I love your beer, Send me some free samples - for a clinical testing procedure I just invented --- OK?

My address in a PM, on the way to your Inbox right now.

[RandyMolson]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Hey! Not every mechanic needs to use a smoke wrench since we don't (in my now retired after 47 years situation) live in salt-on-the-roads Penn-silly-vania!

Frozen fingers, bolts and mud encrusted-rusty cars don't exist in La-La and. (LA).

BTW: I love your beer, Send me some free samples - for a clinical testing procedure I just invented --- OK?

My address in a PM, on the way to your Inbox right now.

Okay, that explains it. Now I can sleep peaceful knowing I'm not nuts.

[SurferJoe46]

Fine - now where's my beer?

[RandyMolson]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Fine - now where's my beer?

Pennsyltuckians need beer to get through the cold salty winters. You will have to stick with yer bottled water like a good left coaster.

But if you want to ship me a Cali-preserved 1972 BMW 2002, I send you all the microbrew you want!