On a recent string change, I needed to adjust the truss rod ever so slightly and I believe the hex nut is stripped. Has anyone ever replaced one of these? If so, could you offer a DIY play by play?

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I don't know if you're a luthier but I would in no way recommend a DIY!!!

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STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

This happened to me a couple of years ago. I took it to the local luthier who fixed it while I waited. He very carefully carved out the mahogany truss rod plug at the base of the headstock. Then he was able to back the hex nut all the way out of the neck and replace it with a new one. The whole process didn't take any more than an hour and I think it cost me around $50. It really wasn't that difficult a repair but I wouldn't try it myself. The luthier had very specialized tools that he used to carve out the plug and took care not to damage the maple around it.

I should have clarified that this was the truss nut at the body/neck joint. But thanks guys, because I'm thinking no way I should do it myself!

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I'm the best guitarist in my bedroom.

What model guitar was it? I've heard that at least on the "Bi-Flex" truss rods found in the American Standard series, the nut is actually welded on. Definitely worth knowing whether or not this is the case before diving in.

I'm not sure if you were asking,about my axe, or the guy's axe you quoted. So, mine is an '88American Standard. Had the TBX control on the second tone knob.

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I'm the best guitarist in my bedroom.

Mine is a 1988 American Standard with a B-Flex truss rod. The luthier had no trouble removing it so it didn't seem to be welded..

FWIW, the walnut ring didn't have to be bored out. Rather, the ring could have been heated where the glue holding it in would have loosened and then the ring could be slid out for servicing the truss rod. And no, those rod nuts are not welded.

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That's a great idea. I wish I had thought of it.

Hopefully, there won't be a next time but if there is...

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If your truss rod adjustment nut is at the neck/body joint, then replacing the nut is simple. Buy a new one, and then just back the old nut all the way off the rod, and thread on the new nut www.stewmac.com has the truss rod nuts you are talking about.

That's what I was wondering, thanks! Follow up question, do the screws in the back plate also screw into the neck, keeping it in place? I'm assuming that I'd have to remove the strings to perform this mend.

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I'm the best guitarist in my bedroom.

To the first guy who wrote on here. Let me guess. Is your guitar one of the cheap chinese Teles? (Notice I spelled chinese with a small "c") Not being disrespectful or prejudice, the quality control for chinese musical gear imported is total crap! I speak from experience, I have many guitars and amps. I have one chinese amp, an Epiphone Valve Junior that hums like a son of a gun, ( tone on it ain't bad though). I also have a chinese Tele and I too have a stripped junk truss rod nut (or whatever it is called). I have not been able to move it much. I have done setups on many electrics and one acoustic, and they always come out the way I want them! I use the Dan Erlewine method and it works bitchen! I'll buy musical instruments from just about anywhere in the world except from China. The people and the culture are wonderful but their exports (in musical stuff) is garbage. I don't want to offend anyone here! I'm just expressing my opinion on this topic to all our brothers and sisters on this site.

No, my guitar is an '88 American Standard Strat. Grafitti yellow with amazing tone. I've done most of the tweaking myself, so I prolly stripped the hex nut.

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I'm the best guitarist in my bedroom.

Yes to your first question.

To your statement about removing the strings, the original idea was to be able to adjust the rod with everything intact. This is why that little cutout in the pickguard by the rod is there. Unfortunately, one will immediately mar the pickguard, the pickup cover and usually the nut and a portion of the wood underneath it by doing it this way. Some relax the strings and then loosen the neck to get a total access to the rod nut, approximating how much to turn it and hope for the best where others will continue with multiple attempts until they get it exactly correct. And then there's some who, with a lot of experience will just know how much to turn the rod and can get it right the first time.

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