Pre CBS Strat trussrod adjustment

[jaberwock]

Is there a tool or way of adjusting a pre CBS Strat trussrod in situ ? taking the neck off each time is a major pain, and the trussrod is very sensitive, I only need about 5 degrees of movement max, as it's pretty much dialed in, just needs very minor tweaks.

Google search revealed nothing.

Thanks Jaberwock

[serial]

Not unless you want to cut away the guard.

[kizanski]

Not unless you want to cut away the guard.

...and if I may add, don't you fucking dare!

[hamerhead]

And don't let Bubs do it.

[crunchee]

Not unless you want to cut away the guard.

...and if I may add, don't you fucking dare!

...though you could install a repro pickguard, and do all the chopping away you want on new plastic. Just don't blame me when you lose the original parts, though.

[jaberwock]

Not unless you want to cut away the guard.

...and if I may add, don't you fucking dare!

Warning heeded, thanks Jaberwock

[jaberwock]

There's a very small angled chamfer by the truss rod nut on all the original 62 pick guards I've seen, I assumed this was to allow some adjustment.

Jaberwock

[velorush]

At least on the ones I've messed with (including my current '62 VHRRI), the chamfer is nowhere near deep enough to work with as the neck just sits too deep into the body. I've seen lots of old Strats with the screwdriver marks to prove it is a great temptation to try, however!

Loosen the neck bolts enough to allow the neck to tilt back, exposing the truss rod adjuster, fully. Make your adjustment and tilt the neck back into place. It's a bit of a balancing act holding guitar and neck in a semi-connected state and making the adjustment, but if your neck pocket is as tight as the one on my current Strat, it's way better than taking the thing off completely.