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Stripped truss rod hex

bigbeefdog

bigbeefdog

Who let the dogs in?
Jul 7, 2003
1,187
9
Mandeville, LA
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#1
It seems the truss rod hex (the female socket where the allen wrench inserts at the headstock) has stripped in one of my Jazz basses. Tried it with a few different wrenches; it's definitely the hex in the neck. Can't get a bite anymore. Arrgghh!

Was flirting with the idea of trying to fix it (make it again adjustable) by inserting a short (approx. 3/4") piece of a male allen wrench, and affixing it permanently (attached to the stripped female hex) with some JB Weld. The stub would then remain permanently attached to the bass, sticking slightly out of the hole. Then I'll be able to turn the (now-male) allen wrench with a socket, a box-end wrench, or something of that sort.

Anybody ever tried anything like this? I'd love to hear "lessons learned", if there are any to be had....
 
#6
joeeg33 said:
The beauty of the Jazz bass truss rod, the adjustment nut will come off. You can easily buy a replacement and you are back in business.
Click to expand...

Well, there's something I hadn't considered. I simply figured it was part & parcel of the truss rod itself.

Thanks, guys. If this is correct, it's a tremendous help.

Anyone know the procedure for removing/replacing the adjustment nut? I assume I'll have to remove the neck to do this, correct?
 
#7
If the adjustment nut is at the heel of the neck, then yes you will have to remove the neck. As for removing the nut, if it is under tension; You can hold the allen wrench a slight angle to compensate for the inner stripped hex. If that doesn't grab, you can try a small needle nose plier. Put the tip of the pliers it to the hex part then open them and try to loosen. If the above methods do not work, try putting a flat blade screw driver into the hex held at an angle and tap the screwdriver to loosen. It should come off quite easily. If you do not feel comfortable trying any of the above, bring it to a repair person.

Joe
 
#8
I had this problem on a '74 Jazz and it was driving me crazy. Eventually, I found a solution by carefully (and I do mean CAREFULLY) cutting a small notch about 1/16'' deep at the very top (ie. across the hole) of the hex nut with a small hacksaw. Then it's just a simple matter of using a flathead screwdriver to unscrew the nut. It should work. :smug:
 
#12
I bought my Ibanez 5 string really chep because the socket was stripped out. I took the next size larger allen wrench and tapered the long end down small enough to fit in the socket. I then gently drove the wrench in and adjusted the rod successfully. Not an everyday type of adjustment you would want to make, but I never move my truss rods. I must just like my action higher than most or something, but I just have never had a problem.
 
#13
JustOpenYourMind said:
I think I saw a thread on this a while ago maybe If you search... But I remember on of the solutions is ordering a new bullet for the truss rod it doesn't cost much. I think you can get yours out with a ''easy-out''.
Click to expand...


BINGO!! We have a winner! :hyper:

Here's your solution - an "easy-out". This is used in machining to back out broken off bolts that are under the surface - just like your situation. The idea is to push one of these into the socket head and twist it off the trussrod. The easy-out has special spiral backward threads that tighten it into the hole as you twist it counterclockwise removing the nut. You might need to put a little oomph into it because these nuts aren't steel - they are cast white metal - and sometimes they can have oxidation between them and the steel trussrod. This is like glue and can really make it tough.

If you need to, you can also drill the hole a little deeper to get a better grip.

So where do you get an "easy-out" Try Sears tool department, or nearly any good hardware store. Even auto parts stores usually have these in stock. You'll be using the smaller ones in the set but they aren't too expensive and they are great to have around - just in case.
 

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