Adjust Fender truss rod without removing neck or pickguard?

thehornedone

thehornedone

Sep 7, 2014
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#1
Is there a method or tool for adjusting a heel-side truss rod on a modern Jazz Bass without removing the pickguard or neck? The slot in my pickguard isn't as long as the one on the P-bass in the attached image. I can't seem to get a good angle to adjust it with an allen wrench, so the only way I can think of is to remove the pickguard, which is a pain in the ass and is going to weaken the screw holes eventually.
 

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#5
Lownote38 said:
Or get a T bar style hex wrench (Fender actually usually supplies those with new instruments). It has a ball type end so you can get at the truss rod at an angle.
Click to expand...
If you cut the angle off of a traditional hex wrench and try to do that you're going to bugger up the nut. Do as @Lownote38 says and get the ball end T-handle hex key. 3/16 is the size.
 
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#7
Lownote38 said:
Or get a T bar style hex wrench (Fender actually usually supplies those with new instruments). It has a ball type end so you can get at the truss rod at an angle.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Man- I was pondering the significance of the Red Handled T-Bar that came with my 2012 Jazz. Thx again. Hey, I just watched John Carrouther's 4 part set-up Video (have the Kindle book by John-great LA guy...) and have ALL the tools...but his Fender had the truss rod nut at the headstalk...and thx to Google and you- I got a quick answer to why that red T-bar Came with the bass. Good clear instructions here...if anyone wants to do their own set-ups...get a feeler gauge, 6th ruler etc.
 
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#8
Lownote38 said:
Or get a T bar style hex wrench (Fender actually usually supplies those with new instruments). It has a ball type end so you can get at the truss rod at an angle.
Click to expand...

That thing has me somewhat concerned, I always feel like I'm stripping the truss rod because of the shape of that thing. Also, I've had to tighten mine like 4 times so far since the winter kicked in (on my 2016 American Professional). Is that normal for this model in temperated weather (northern East Coast)?
 
#9
silverdroid said:
That thing has me somewhat concerned, I always feel like I'm stripping the truss rod because of the shape of that thing. Also, I've had to tighten mine like 4 times so far since the winter kicked in (on my 2016 American Professional). Is that normal for this model in temperated weather (northern East Coast)?
Click to expand...

I have several Fender 3/16" T's and I don't like them. IME you can get a lot more torque with a 90 degree style hex wrench. The trick is to either cut off a regular one or buy a stubby one. I just found stubby 3/16" some sold in groups of 5, Bondhus brand, hex keys on ebay for under $10. My Brubaker basses use the same wrench because he builds with a smaller access area at the heel.

If you cut and grind down a traditional wrench properly it shouldn't damage the trussrod hole. Before I found the stubbies that's exactly what Kevin Brubaker was doing for at least twenty years with no ill effects.
 
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#11
+1 more for chopping off the hex wrench just past the elbow. hate the T-handle, poor control and poor grip on the hex hole.

i even converted my vintage reissue tele guitar to work this way, throwing in an american standard 1/8" hex truss rod nut and cutting a notch in the pickguard so my sawed-off 1/8" allen wrench would fit. (that's how john suhr did it forever on his guitars)
 
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