Yamaha RBX 200F truss rod key?

Hypercaffium

Hypercaffium

Jan 5, 2018
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Rome, Italy
#1
Hi,
a friend of mine gave me this vintage fretless bass. It looks and plays ok but need a proper setup. I was investigating the truss rod access hole and honestly I can't understand which kind of key I need. I've made a quick search both here and on Google and found inconsistent/contradictory infos. Here's a pic of the truss rod access hole.
IMG_20190417_210212.jpg

Thanks for your help.
 
#3
hotbass57 said:
I had a RBX260. I would unscrew the plastic guard and take it out to adjust the truss rod. I used a 4mm allen key with extended length. Got one at hardware store for a couple bucks.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure that the plastic guard should be removed, there's plenty of space to operate imho. Anyway, the truss rod hole on this bass is different, I guess I need a key like this:
wd-music-truss-rod-wrench-5-16-inch-size-for-gibson-p671-827_medium.jpg

Not sure about the size, though.
 
#5
If you look at the picture, that's not a hole. I don't see any paint there, just a black nut.
It seems an hexagonal nut so I guess I should use the same tool I used for Gibsons, but I'm not sure about the size. I'll try some or the tools I have at home.
 
#6
I confirm it's a 8mm nut. I used an 8mm key I have at home and it worked. I needed to remove the neck to operate but I was able to set it straight finally. I think a Gibson 8mm key would work perfectly without removing the neck.
I moved to string saddles and realized that I don't have a proper key. It's time to search... again.
 
#7
Hypercaffium said:
I confirm it's a 8mm nut. I used an 8mm key I have at home and it worked. I needed to remove the neck to operate but I was able to set it straight finally. I think a Gibson 8mm key would work perfectly without removing the neck.
I moved to string saddles and realized that I don't have a proper key. It's time to search... again.
Click to expand...
 
#12
I've had a few Yamahas with this setup. I got a suitable key from the hardware store (8mm sounds right...) and ground the short end down so I could use it without having to remove the neck.
They might have included such a key with the basses when they were new - that is quite clearly why there is a rout with a little plastic cover.
I do take the plastic cover out to keep it from getting scuffed up by the hard metal key. It's a bit tedious and inelegant - but better than having to remove the neck!
 
#14
Resurrecting with an answer, because I recently searched for this same thing and didn't find a good one...

I also have a Yamaha RBX-200 (mine has frets), circa 1991. The truss rod adjustment looks just like the photo posted by the OP.

The truss rod adjustment on mine is an 8.0mm hex nut.

After several failed experiments with various other tools, I finally discovered this tool made by Hosco (H-WRE-8.0J : Truss Rod Wrench | HOSCO-INTERNATIONAL), which I purchased here (Hosco Pipe Truss Rod Wrenches | Solo Music Gear Canada). No affiliation with either, this is just the tool I found for sale that had the correct size, depth, and narrow clearance to do the job. A Japanese tool to fit a Japanese bass, go fig.
 
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