Tobias Growler truss rod tool

[SuperTbass]

I'm trying like heck to find a truss rod tool that will work with my Tobias Growler. I've done an extensive search here as well as google. It would seem that it takes a 1/4 inch tool of which I now have two, but here's my issue. The cutaway space is so tiny that the tools I have don't fit. They are both right angle pocket truss rod wrenches. I've gone to a store and had it done before so I know a tool exists. Fortunately the neck is so stable that I've never needed to adjust it before recently. The recent adjustments stem from my wanting to try out some different string gauges. The shop I took it to did it for free which was very cool of them (smart too since I tested and bought a new pedal while I was waiting), however that store is about an hour from my house and I'd like to be able to take care of it myself.

So I guess my question is... does anyone know of a quarter inch truss rod tool that is super small?

 

[Bruce Johnson]

For a case like that, we Luthiers usually just grind down the outside of a nutdriver or one of those special wrenches.

 

[SuperTbass]

That was what i was thinking... would have happened already if i had the tools to do so. Looks like I might be borrowing a dremel this weekend

 

[Bruce Johnson]

The best tool to grind it down is a belt sander, one of the benchtop vertical types. A handheld belt sander or angle grinder will work, holding the tool in a vise. A Dremel will work, slowly....

 

[SuperTbass]

Hmmm... not sure if I know anyone with real deal tools up this way, but i'll see what I can find...

 

[SGD Lutherie]

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Use the 1/4" size.

 

[agreatheight]

Have you tried Gibson yet? Give them a shout and see if they'll send you the tool that came with the Growler.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Have you tried Gibson yet? Give them a shout and see if they'll send you the tool that came with the Growler.

He's talking about a pre Gibson Tobias. They have two truss rods at the heel of the neck. You need a tool like I posted the link too, because they are in a recess.

The Stew-mac tool works. I made my own by drilling a hole in a socket and sticking a hex wrench in the hole.

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I found this image on line so you can see what we are talking about:

 

[Budbear]

This one is also 1/4", more compact, has an integral Philips head driver and is cheaper.

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[Budbear]

This is the one:

 

[Slowgypsy]

Have you tried Gibson yet? Give them a shout and see if they'll send you the tool that came with the Growler.

A while back I had a similar issue. Bought a used Growler... no truss rod wrench. I actually did call Gibson. Spoke to several real people. At the end of the day all they could give me was the wrench size I needed and suggested StewMac as a source as they no longer carried that truss rod wrench. I ended up using the wrench my Taylor guitar came with so my problem was solved. All the suggestions given so far look they would work, but my Taylor truss rod wrench is shorter than what Stew Mac sells. In the end that was a useful feature.

 

[ArtechnikA]

Would a 1/4" combination (one end open-end, the other box-end) work?
Looks like if there's room for a thinwall socket, there's room for a quality box-end.
Or maybe a flare-nut wrench, for almost as much coverage as a box-end but more clearance on the bottom...

The socket-with-a-handle tool looks like the one that came with my Yamaha 12-string many years ago - but I've never had to use it so I don't actually know the size...

 

[scubaduba]

He's talking about a pre Gibson Tobias. They have two truss rods at the heel of the neck. You need a tool like I posted the link too, because they are in a recess.

Uhm nope. Growlers are a Gibson creation. And most only had one truss rod.

I've owned multiple Growlers and sanded down a regular 1/4" tool like mentioned on one and ordered the Stewmac part for another.

 

[SuperTbass]

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Use the 1/4" size.

I bought this exact tool. It doesn't fit

 

[SuperTbass]

Have you tried Gibson yet? Give them a shout and see if they'll send you the tool that came with the Growler.

I attempted to contact Gibson and only got crickets.

 

[SuperTbass]

This is the one:

Bought one that looks exactly like this, though I'm unsure of the dimensions, from pick of the ricks. That also did not fit.

 

[SuperTbass]

Uhm nope. Growlers are a Gibson creation. And most only had one truss rod.

I've owned multiple Growlers and sanded down a regular 1/4" tool like mentioned on one and ordered the Stewmac part for another.

On this note, after failing to contact Gibson I contacted Michael Tobias himself via the mtd website and he answered that the growler is indeed an entirely Gibson design and therefore didn't have any info for me. That being said, my growler does have 2 truss rods like the picture above. I will attempt to get some pictures uploaded tonight.

 

[scubaduba]

Hmm...
Call BassNW.com and see if they happen to have one. Sometimes they have spare parts and have had used Growlers in stock many times.

Also try BassCentral.com.

 

[ArtechnikA]

That also did not fit.

'Did not fit' how, exactly ?
Does the hex of the tool not fit the hex of the rod? (Is 1/4" too big or too small?)
Does the tool not fit into the pocket? If not, is it too long or too thick ?

 

[SuperTbass]

'Did not fit' how, exactly ?
Does the hex of the tool not fit the hex of the rod? (Is 1/4" too big or too small?)
Does the tool not fit into the pocket? If not, is it too long or too thick ?

The tool cannot be placed over the truss rod without bumping into the edge of the cavity. I can get it into the cavity, but not into a position to adjust anything.