Author Topic: Truss Rod Wrench (Read 678 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** February 14, 2006, 11:48:05 PM »

What is the metric size of this wrench as If I'm not mistaken the USA 1/4 inch is smaller than the UK imperial 1/4 inch.

Am I right in assuming this wrench size is the same for both Alembic guitars and basses?

If not can you tell me what size wrench (metric) I need for my basses and Guitar.

Thanks
Jazzyvee

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2006, 02:50:08 AM »

Metric just doesn't fit - unless you can find a 6.35 mm wrench. They come in rounded sizes: 6 mm is really too narrow, and 7 mm doesn't get a good grip so it slips over the ridges, and will ruin the shape of the nut so you end up with no grip at all.

Wild suggestion - could we have double-standard nuts, half 1/4, half 6 mm?

The Allan wrenches have the same problem, by the way. Sometimes you find weird sizes in tool shops on the continent, like less than 1 mm, but never any standard imperial ones ....

adriaan · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2006, 03:00:59 AM »

Come to think of it, Music Man installs a wheel that supposedly can be adjusted without a tool. That would be nice - at least if you can fit two of them into the cavity!

Hm, what about drilling some holes through the nut, so you can turn them with something that doesn't need to have a precise fit? Inserting my 1/4 wrench into the cavity is already a pretty cramped excercise.

I remember my old Yamaha bass came with a sideways wrench for the truss rod. Also, there was a small special wide-open wrench with a pointy bit, for adjusting the 'tightness ring' on the tuners, which had a small hole where the pointy bit would engage.

keith_h · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2006, 04:13:51 AM »

Jazzyvee,
Since you say you are going to be in the States over the weekend you should be able to pick up a wrench or two while your are here. They are pretty inexpensive and easy to find. When you are in Orlando just look for a Home Depot or Lowes Hardware. They are big box hardware/lumber stores that would have any of the tools you might need. I hate to say this but you should also be able to locate one a WalMart which are also just about everywhere.

Keith

jazzyvee · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2006, 11:20:12 AM »

Well thanks for the suggestions, however I doubt very much that I'd be able to get anywhere other than airport, hotel, venue, hotel, airport, plane home so a chance to go shopping may not be possible. If it is I will surely try to get one. I did get a got a set of metric ones today hopefully one will fit.

In actual fact the neck may not even move. I took a strat to California and we were all over the place and the neck was fine. Even in humid singapore the guitar i took was fine. But its good to be prepared. If I cant find one by tomorrow I may have to take the strat instead.
Although if anyone is feeling generous, you could drop or post a right sized wrench off at the venue for me. :-)

I'd be happy to re-imburse you or put you on the guest list for one of the concerts we are planning in the USA this year.

Mark it for Attention of Vince c/o Apache Indian

Cheers
Jazzyvee

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2006, 11:24:17 AM »

Jazzyvee:

Come out and play in the San Francisco Bay Area and a wrench is yours!

Bill, tgo

lidon2001 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2006, 11:33:20 AM »

Depending on the hotel, you might be able to ask them to get one for you and have it waiting there.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2006, 11:53:44 AM »

Fortunately I didn't need it that time, the trip was fine, but I'll have to find one just to have a full set of guitar tools.
Jazzyvee

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2006, 04:35:24 PM »

I'm not sure how long it's been there, but truss rod wrenches are now shown on the Alembic store site.

hankster · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2006, 05:57:44 PM »

Jazzyvee,

Reading about your trip made me curious about your band. I took a look on the 'net, and found the Apache Indian stuff. Very hip - great sound!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2006, 01:06:07 AM »

Thanks guys, believe it or not I got the right size one from a motor accessories store. But I had to buy a set of about 6 to get the one I needed. It only cost me about ?3.00 sterling.

I have now made some adjustments to the truss rods and got the action down really really really low without choking and it now plays like a dream. I had to lift the nut just a tad as there was some buzzing when hitting a couple of open strings.

Having it low when playing reggae is such a blessing cos the constant grip and relax you have to do for the chops really can get tiring if the action is too high.

Now its just la very light touch.
I love the guitar even more now.
I have a gig next week so that should be a good tester.
I may have a go at adjusting my basses during the week.... does it sound like I'm getting a dose of compulsive Truss Rod adjustivitis syndrome?
lol
Catch you soon, and thanks for your offers of help.

Jazzyvee.

palmann · « **Reply #11 on:** March 14, 2006, 01:47:13 PM »

I asked where to get a 1/4 wrench at a german Harley Davidson forum. A very nice person send me a wrench for free. ;-)

Another possibility is to order it from a mail-order for motorcycle accessories.

Gruesse, Pablo

bigredbass · « **Reply #12 on:** March 15, 2006, 11:17:30 AM »

Isn't it the most delicious irony that an ENGLISH (one-quarter INCH) wrench is an imported item in the (metric) UK?

J o e y

olieoliver · « **Reply #13 on:** March 15, 2006, 11:25:09 AM »

If I am not mistaken before the metric sizes in the UK didn't they use British Std/Whitworth sizes? I have a 1967 Triumph Bonneville that has these early British sizes. I had to buy special tools to work on it

lbpesq · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2006, 11:34:25 AM »

Ah yes, British sports cars and Whitworth tools. Brings back (now) humorous memories (from a distance of 30+ years) from when I owned an Austin-Healy Bugeye Sprite, The Gutless Wonder

Bill, tgo