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Post subject: Help - Stripped my truss rod nut :(
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:55 pm
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Ok I'm admittedly a jerk -

I bought a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass, and the neck had a serious bow to it.

Unfortunately, I mixed up my wrenches. So by using the wrong size allen, somehow I completely stripped the hex nut that turns the rod ( the metal is super soft, so I thought it was turning and instead it was shredding).

It now cannot be adjusted at all in its current state.

I've read elsewhere that some fender models have a "removable" truss nut. I dont know if this can be done/repaired for the squier.

Is there any hope for this problem? I really like this axe, but it's not worth the cost of changing out the neck. I'm looking to figure out a way to be able to turn the rod again.


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Post subject: Re: Help - Stripped my truss rod nut :(
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:35 pm
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Welcome!

You're not a jerk. I think the vast majority of us here who ever worked on instruments will admit that at sometime in their history, they stripped a truss rod nut. I hereby confess to same!

The nut does disengage from the rod on Squiers and can be replaced.

Now, without going out and buying all sorts of 'exotic' tools, try these methods first:

Select a larger allen wrench than your stripped nut hole and file the end of it on a taper so that it will at some point, (hopefully) lock on to what's left of any shape of the nut and you can back it out. FIRST though, remove all pulling tension of your strings so that they don't add pressure to the truss rod.

If the above method doesn't work, I've also had success with literally hammering in a tapered flat head screwdriver blade into the nut hole and backing the nut out with this. Again, no tension from the strings.

There are other methods but these are the cheapest and least complicated.

Good luck and please let us know if you need more help.

rcband.net wrote:
Ok I'm admittedly a jerk -

I bought a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass, and the neck had a serious bow to it.

Unfortunately, I mixed up my wrenches. So by using the wrong size allen, somehow I completely stripped the hex nut that turns the rod ( the metal is super soft, so I thought it was turning and instead it was shredding).

It now cannot be adjusted at all in its current state.

I've read elsewhere that some fender models have a "removable" truss nut. I dont know if this can be done/repaired for the squier.

Is there any hope for this problem? I really like this axe, but it's not worth the cost of changing out the neck. I'm looking to figure out a way to be able to turn the rod again.

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Post subject: will give it a try - thanks
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:57 pm
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Hey - thanks for the advice.

I"ll try the oversized allen trick, but was once a hex shape is now pretty round - so I'm not sure I'll get any traction. I hope it works - even a little - so that I can at least get the bass into more playable shape.

Now that I know it is possible to chg the nut, it might make sense to go for that too for the long term. This way I'll be able to adj it again down the road as necessary.

If you can spare the time to share any more insight into how to approach replacing the truss nut - I'd appreciate the tips.

I found a telecaster forum post that cited drilling into the nut with a special "easy-out" tool and turning it counter clockwise to disengage... Does that sound right ? Seems weird since I'm imagining that the whole rod will just turn rather than the nut backing itself off the rod. ???

Also wondering where to find the proper replacement part for the squier bass truss nut...

thanks again !!!


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Post subject: Re: will give it a try - thanks
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:46 pm
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Glad to help!

That nut will only be good enough now for you to hopefully get it out. It will not be functional any more so it really does have to go.

I have plenty of tips but like I said, the ones I gave you were the simplest and least invasive. The "easy-out" one could work. Then there's putting a deep notch straight across the nut so you can try using a flathead screwdriver, or a left to right and then up and down cross type notch for using a phillips head screwdriver to extract it. There's even more but again, I'm hoping we don't have to take it to the next step.

I see where you could get confused with the "easy-out". No, the entire rod wouldn't turn. Rather, the nut screws down a threaded, anchored rod which is in fact, the truss rod. The tightening of the nut arches the rod whereas loosening the nut, bows the rod. Keep loosening the nut and it will unscrew itself from the truss rod which is obviously, your ultimate goal. This is also why I said to remove all string tension first.

Once you know the size of the nut, I'm pretty sure that All-Parts or WD Products, just to name two, would have a replacement. The nut is not an obscure part yet there is little call for them so most stores don't stock them. I'm positive that one could be obtained through an authorized Squier dealership though.

Take your time with this extraction because as we both full well know, that nut metal is mush and you don't want to start chewing up the entrance to the truss rod area on your headstock either.

rcband.net wrote:
Hey - thanks for the advice.

I"ll try the oversized allen trick, but was once a hex shape is now pretty round - so I'm not sure I'll get any traction. I hope it works - even a little - so that I can at least get the bass into more playable shape.

Now that I know it is possible to chg the nut, it might make sense to go for that too for the long term. This way I'll be able to adj it again down the road as necessary.

If you can spare the time to share any more insight into how to approach replacing the truss nut - I'd appreciate the tips.

I found a telecaster forum post that cited drilling into the nut with a special "easy-out" tool and turning it counter clockwise to disengage... Does that sound right ? Seems weird since I'm imagining that the whole rod will just turn rather than the nut backing itself off the rod. ???

Also wondering where to find the proper replacement part for the squier bass truss nut...

thanks again !!!

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Post subject: ready to try a screwdriver.....
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 3:08 pm
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OK I messed around with it more last night, and it's definitely toast.

I would need to find the very next size up from 3/16", and file down an allen as you suggested - but it's really round and there's nothing to grab onto anymore - so I dont think that's going to work anyway.

For my next move I am most interested in trying this option you had described:

"putting a deep notch straight across the nut so you can try using a flathead screwdriver"

the nut is sunk way down in the hole - how would you go about cutting the notch for a screwdriver?

again thanks so much for the time - hopefully others can also benefit if they ever end up in this situation.


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Post subject: Re: ready to try a screwdriver.....
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:09 pm
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rcband.net wrote:
OK I messed around with it more last night, and it's definitely toast.

I would need to find the very next size up from 3/16", and file down an allen as you suggested - but it's really round and there's nothing to grab onto anymore - so I dont think that's going to work anyway.

For my next move I am most interested in trying this option you had described:

"putting a deep notch straight across the nut so you can try using a flathead screwdriver"

the nut is sunk way down in the hole - how would you go about cutting the notch for a screwdriver?

again thanks so much for the time - hopefully others can also benefit if they ever end up in this situation.


You're welcome.

If, per your statement, that nut is, "toast", you are now on the border line of no hope if that nut gets mangled much more and so, you no longer have an assortment of options left any more. As you and I both well know, a totally stripped nut has to be clearly accessed in order to remove it which means, you don't want to get to the point where the only way to deal with it is if the wood around it must be removed. In other words, it then would be time for a replacement neck.

The "easy-out" is the only genuinely simple thing left to try and if I were you, I'd try it first. However, I'd make absolutely sure that the person actually doing the job is MOST familiar with working with such things. Usually, the "easy-out" does solve the problem but here too, you don't have several chances at it, only the one. Now premising for any reason the "easy-out" doesn't work, the last resort before a new neck is attempting the notching of the nut.

The notch method requires a variable speed Dremel Tool with a Dremel High Speed Cutter Bit (a #193 Bit to be exact). Again, I'd make absolutely sure that the person actually doing the job is MOST familiar with working with such things. The cutter bit would be working through the truss rod wrench hole, carving the notch in the nut with the cutter bit. And yes, the sparks are going to fly so EXTREME care must be taken all around. Here too, if the notching job is any less than perfect, you may as well remove the machine heads, the string tree, string nut, toss the neck in the trash and start looking for that replacement.

If you have any reservations or the slightest lack of confidence in yourself or whomever you ask to assist you, I URGENTLY recommend you take the neck to a COMPETENT tech. It is literally a matter of life and death as far as the neck is concerned.

Good luck and really think this thing out because, and I can't emphasize this enough, you only have a shot or two left to save that neck.

Most importantly, if you choose to do the job yourself, remember you are working with power tools so, SAFETY FIRST!

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Post subject: I'm not going to try this myself
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:51 pm
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Ok

Again thanks so much for all the insight, and for taking the time to explain everything.

I am definitely in way over my head. I wont try to do anything else on my own, so that I dont ruin the last chance I have to save this instrument...

I'm going to find a qualified repair tech to bail me out - thanks for all of your help -

ps: this forum is a great resource!


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Post subject: Re: I'm not going to try this myself
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:22 pm
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rcband.net wrote:
Ok

Again thanks so much for all the insight, and for taking the time to explain everything.

I am definitely in way over my head. I wont try to do anything else on my own, so that I dont ruin the last chance I have to save this instrument...

I'm going to find a qualified repair tech to bail me out - thanks for all of your help -

ps: this forum is a great resource!


Glad to be of assistance.

Truly, you've made a wise choice.

Best of luck!

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:53 pm
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its best to have someone with experience deal with it...

my experience back then was messing up with the neck relief of my bass, then it buzzed like hell... oh well... took me 2 and a half quarter turn to put it back the way it was yet another problem occurred...

oh well, you get the picture.. :oops:

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