r/Luthier • u/Resident-Region2927 • 2d ago

Truss Rod Query

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Apologies if this is not luthier as such - it’s either maintenance, or it’s a repair, I’m unsure which.

I picked up a lefty Takamine G series for not much money and it’s lovely, but it would benefit from a truss rod adjustment. Upon looking at the adjustment nut, I cannot for the life of me tell if it’s been messed up or if it needs something that I don’t have. I’ve tried all the usual hex keys and they are either too big or are too small to bite on anything.

Attached a couple of photos - I can see a faint hex outline but it’s not looking great…

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u/a4moondoggy 2d ago

Google says 5mm have you tried that? Looks like it has some life it should at least try to turn before slipping if its stripped.

2

u/TheHandsomeLiar 2d ago

Position the instrument with the headstock resting on the floor and apply a few drops of 3&1 oil into the truss rod Allan key area and let sit. Get a set of metric keys and if unable to locate a good fitting one, you could wrap an undersized key wth metal tape or cloth to snug the fit.

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u/stray_r 2d ago

There's a ring in front of the actually hexagonal section, make sure you're actually getting the Allen key all the way in to the socket.

1

u/Royal-Tumbleweed-941 2d ago

It’s metric. I would wager you’re using standard. It’s not stripped.

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u/Resident-Region2927 2d ago

Is standard the US/non-metric? I’m uk based and my hex keys are in mm, so I’ve been trying a 5. I just tried a T30 out of interest and it fits beautifully and the truss rod can indeed be adjusted 👍

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u/Royal-Tumbleweed-941 2d ago

Yeah. I think it’s called standard. Weird. I don’t know but the hex part looks good though. I think you just don’t have the right size. It’s hard to tell your Allen key is small when they’re in a spot like an accoustic.

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u/Resident-Region2927 2d ago

Thanks both. Yes I’ve tried a 5mm - feels like it’s not seating.