Truss rod help!

[CraigP]

Just popped my truss rod cover off my Studio and find that the truss rod nut requires a socket tool of some sort. My Strat uses a standard screwdriver! Do I need a special tool for this?

It is a 1994 Studio Custom if that matters. No tool in the case... Any help appreciated. I tried fitting in a normal socket wrench but my sockets don't seem to fit into the opening. The neck is dead flat right now with no relief at all. It was just shipped up to MA earlier this week from Tampa by a fellow HFCer -- I think the change in humidity flattened things out...

[SouthpawGuy]

As it happens I adjusted the truss rod on my own '07 Studio today, the tool is of the socket design although it's not the same size as a Gibson truss rod adjustment tool it's a little bigger. According to the pdf linked below it's a 5 1/16" sized tool

http://www.hamerguit...f/HMRmanual.pdf

[CraigP]

Thanks! I do I get one of those doo dads?

[SouthpawGuy]

Mine came with the guitar, looks like this. I'm in Ireland, they're difficult to find over here

Allparts 5/16" tool http://www.allparts....lt-0242-000.htm

[tbonesullivan]

Hamer and Gibson truss rod nuts are identical. You can use the same tool for both. 5/16 socket wrench. Stewmac has some, though they don't sell one that will work on Super Strats that don't have a headstock angle. For those you need the allparts wrench, which needs much less clearance.

When adjusting, you may want to remove all tension first and back up the nut to put some graphite or other lubricant in there. I'd also consider adjusting the rod only when the strings are slack. This is not as important when adjusting the rod for more relief though.

When trying to tighten the rod to have less relief though, I would definitely either remove all string tension, or "pre-bend" the neck to a straighter conformation. That way the nut isn't doing the work, it is just holding the work in place.

[jaberwock]

Mine came with the guitar, looks like this. I'm in Ireland, they're difficult to find over here

Allparts 5/16" tool http://www.allparts....lt-0242-000.htm

When I opened my M III case for the first time, and saw one of these, my friend Ben commented " Wow !! a free crack pipe "

[SouthpawGuy]

Hamer and Gibson truss rod nuts are identical. You can use the same tool for both. 5/16 socket wrench. Stewmac has some, though they don't sell one that will work on Super Strats that don't have a headstock angle. For those you need the allparts wrench, which needs much less clearance.

When adjusting, you may want to remove all tension first and back up the nut to put some graphite or other lubricant in there. I'd also consider adjusting the rod only when the strings are slack. This is not as important when adjusting the rod for more relief though.

When trying to tighten the rod to have less relief though, I would definitely either remove all string tension, or "pre-bend" the neck to a straighter conformation. That way the nut isn't doing the work, it is just holding the work in place.

Interesting, I tried my usual tool that works with a Heritage or Gibson and it wouldn't fit the Studio. Perhaps the 5/16" tool is the same but the outside diameter was too large for the truss rod cavity in the studio.

[Steve Haynie]

The tools you need.

[CraigP]

Thanks, I ordered the T-bar 5/16" tool from All Parts last night (linked above), hoping it fits.

[tbonesullivan]

I think Hamer uses a different neck angle than Heritage and Gibson, so that may interfere with the tool fitting. I usually use the pocket wrench for most purposes.

[Caddie]

Always happy to help.

caddie

[CraigP]

I tried those tools, and all I got was a couple of fingers stuck in my eye

[marcnorth]

The wrench Hamer sent me for my 2004 B4M is too fat to go in the hole. I use a craftsman 5/16 deep well socket and a 1/4" ratchet with a 12" extension. The socket has thin walls and goes right in the hole and you don't have to work against the strings like you do with the little wrench.

[CraigP]

I was able to borrow a pocket truss rod wrench (5/16") from my local guitar store (the crack pipe looking one). Fit like a charm and my Studio's neck is now perfect. Plays like liquid butta

[Toadroller]

For my Studio, I was able to take my multi-headed screwdriver, you know the kind for sale in the check-out line at your local auto-parts store, pull out the small set of driver heads, and it fit right onto the truss rod and right into the hole. Clamped a small vice grip on it and gave ti the nudge it needed. Like you said, butta.