Truss Rod Nut

[anothersomeone]

I went to adjust the truss rod nut on my PRS McCartey recently and found that instead of a truss rod nut that a hex wrench will fit into, it only has a nut with a weird dome shaped ending on it. Like a wrench has to fit over or around it, but I don't see how that's possible.

Anyone ever seen one of these before and does anyone know a good way to adjust this without messing up the surrounding headstock?

[rjohnstone]

The guitar should have come with the proper tool to adjust the truss rod.
IIRC it looks like a small pipe. Think socket with a handle soldered on one side.

Like this...

[dg]

PRS should take a 5/16" wrench, same as Gibson iirc.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Wrenches/Pocket_Truss_Rod_Wrenches.html

[anothersomeone]

Wow, I guess I've never seen those before. Thanks for your help!

[Sharkfin]

I've tried searching for the answer but can't seem to find it, does any one know what size hex wrench is appropriate for an '87 USA soloist's truss rod?

[dg]

I believe that will be 1/4".

[Sharkfin]

Great, thanks! I had taken my guitar to 2 local guitar shops, one of them being Guitar Center and no one could tell me what I needed. I wasn't surprised!

[Sharkfin]

I'm having trouble getting the tool on the nut in the cavity, it seems like the locking mechanism is in the way (mine is behind the nut). Should I have to remove it to be able to adjust the rod?

[CharvelRocker]

Locking Mechanism? You mean locking nut?

[Sharkfin]

Affirmative

[dg]

Sounds like you've got the JT-6 behind-the-nut lock. Is the reach of the wrench not long enough to clear the lock? They make different styles of wrenches. If this type won't clear-




there are some that are a bit longer-

http://www.wdmusic.co.uk/product/TRUSS_ROD_WRENCH_1%7C4'_SOCKET_TRW14#

or a T-handle style may reach in there-




Bottom line, you shouldn't have to remove the lock if you find the right wrench. I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world to remove the lock if you rarely have to adjust it, but you shouldn't have to, plus the screws might eventually loosen up in the holes from being loosened & retightened, then the lock could start shifting.

[Sharkfin]

Thanks for the advice, it didn't make sense that I would have to take the locking nut off. The StewMac one I ordered was just too big...

[jacksonpc1]

Great, thanks! I had taken my guitar to 2 local guitar shops, one of them being Guitar Center and no one could tell me what I needed. I wasn't surprised!

GC would have rather had you buy a new guitar!!!

[DHardmanJr]

GC would have rather had you buy a new guitar!!!

Believe it or not, when I bought my first Jackson off of eBay and needed a truss rod wrench I went to GC to ask which one I needed and they just went in the back and grabbed an extra one and gave it to me.

[dg]

That was pretty cool of them to do. I know GC gets constant bashing here, but there can be some great, helpful people working there. I usually buy my strings in bulk, and once when I was in, they didn't have mine in the box. The guy told me to wait a few minutes and he went all over the store looking for loose packs. He came up a couple short, then made up those sets for me from the individual strings. All so I could pay less for the box price. I still do most of my shopping at independent places, but that really changed my opinion a bit about GC.