stripped truss rod nut

[Randy_R]

The truss rod nut on my c-09W appears to have the hex cutout stripped which the adjusting tool fits into. ie: the adjusting tool (which looks ok itself) will not lock in to either tighten or loosen the truss rod. I tried a hex key, and the same thing happens.

This was a used guitar purchased over a year ago, and this is the first time I've tried to adjust the neck after putting medium strings on it.

Has anyone encountered this before? what was the solution.

For now, I'm going to take the mediums back off the guitar and put light gauge strings on it again.

thanks for any help / suggestions

[jmhyer]

Randy,

I don't have my guitar or truss rod tool handy to look at, but you may want to see if you can find a socket that will fit the nut.  Sometimes when the outer corners of a nut are stripped/rounded off, a properly sized socket will still work on it.  The other suggestion would be to try some needle-nosed vice-grip pliers that may lock on and hold sufficiently to allow you to tighten or loosen it.  Ultimately, it sounds like you need a new nut.

Good luck.

[ronmac]

Looks like this will do the trick:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Truss_rods/1/Truss_Rod_Rescue_Kit/Pictures.html#details

[desaljs]

Randy,

IF you are lucky enough to get that nut off the end of the truss rod, take it off and do not put it back on.  Seek some qualifed help in securing a new piece for it, so you will be able to make truss rod adjustments in the future.  Good luck and I hope you can get it sorted out.

[LittleBrother]

I could be wrong but if I recall the Larry has a double action that adjusts from inside the sound hole and doesn't quite operate like a traditional single action with the nut on the end at the peg head under a dust cover Randy if you cant get something to bite into that socket you might be looking at an in shop repair here. I guess what I am saying is this could be the same as a neck reset, same labor involved. I talked to Dan at SCGC the other day and he was putting a neck back on a guitar after just such a repair. I know the rods we use are almost identical to Larrivees but with a 1/8" allen and not that custom end they had last time I adjusted a Larrivee. If you can find some oversize allen, torx that can bite you could get it adjusted and probably not have to touch it again.

The good thing is double actions like that just dont shift around with the seasons like old singles but it does require more turns to make those two rods twist and move the peghead in or out.  There are actually 2 rods in there opposing each other and I am prertty sure yours wont have a nut that threads off like a Les Paul for example.  As much of a fantastic customer you are I bet "L" would bend over backwards to help. Good luck. I have some other ideas but they are kinda stretching it but if you email me I know some other stupid pet tricks you might try. I'm also really good friends with the local Martin warranty repair center. Might could have it looked at for next to nothing. Boy that's one thing that can really bite you. If the last player sold it knowing that it would be unfortunate. If I come up to Dahlonega soon maybe we can both look at it.

[Ratishna]

The new Stew Mac tool won't work in this case.  Sounds like a good question for Frank Ford.

E. Shoaf

[unclrob]

Randy send it to Larrivee and have it replaced.This is not something to DIY.The rod is set pretty deep in the body.

[mrkrgr]

A couple of suggestions if I may.  If its a standard size Allen key try the next size metric or vice versa.  Sometimes if you can tap the Allen key in you can get enough of a bite to remove the nut.  If the nut is exposed a little you might try these

http://www.skygeek.com/100e.html   

I use these at work and if there's room one of them might catch and remove the screw.  You'll probably have to use a ratchet and an adapter and do it by hand.

If its a hex key and you have some common screwdriver tips, not the tapered kind but the gunsmith type, you can get one in the nut and remove it like a screw it will catch on 2 of the sides and if its not too tight you should be able to turn it.

Just a few tricks I've used ove rthe years.  I don't know if there's room, or how tight it is, but be carefull.

[Randy_R]

I played the guitar tonight with the light gauge strings on it, and it was OK. I have to deal with this at some point though.

I need to find a picture of what the Larrivee trussrod looks like. If I can use a reverse screw tap and pull it out and replace it (nut and/or rod), that should be fairly easy.

[Steve]

Yeah Randy I was thinking the same thing, I called them easy outs.  For removing a right handed problem screw after you drill a hole in it.  I don't know if you could get that dude up in there though on the Larrivée?  Then how would you tap the end of it if you got in the nut to get it seated firmly?

Then the other question, is it a removable nut or is it a welded on type with a threaded rod?

I would try to get in touch with Matthew or call Brian about it and have him inquire about doing it yourself or how much Larrivée would charge you for a repair.

[poki]

Randy, could it be you have the wrong truss rod wrench?  i remember Larrivee changed their truss rods to a different size hex somewhere around 2000 so there are two different size larrivee truss rods/wrenches out there so maybe you have the wrong wrench for your guitars truss rod.  if i remember correct the older truss rod wrenches were a dark color with a rounded U section and the newer ones are chrome with a squared U.

[bing4sons]

Randy, could it be you have the wrong truss rod wrench?  i remember Larrivee changed their truss rods to a different size hex somewhere around 2000 so there are two different size larrivee truss rods/wrenches out there so maybe you have the wrong wrench for your guitars truss rod.  if i remember correct the older truss rod wrenches were a dark color with a rounded U section and the newer ones are chrome with a squared U.

I used to have an OM-03 that used the older "J" shaped wrench, which I purchased from Larrivee.  It is slightly larger.  I sold the guitar, but kept the wrench, as it fits my son's Avalon as well.

[Hoser Rob]

I think it's time to get some professional help ... find a good shop.

[Randy_R]

I have one of the older truss rod wrenches. I need to find it first and try it. Did a quick look thru the older cases and didn't find one. But I know I have at least one of them somewhere. serial number indicates the guitar was made about 1997/98.

[LittleBrother]

I have one of the older truss rod wrenches. I need to find it first and try it. Did a quick look thru the older cases and didn't find one. But I know I have at least one of them somewhere. serial number indicates the guitar was made about 1997/98.

Yep thats the wrench I was familiar with. I guess I never adjusted the newer Larrivees I had like the L and the P-09. Again this is not some part that's stripped on a rod like a nut. This is a double action rod and welded all together. You literally pull the neck off and major surgery. Like a neck reset only worse. I bet you're on the right track though. It's also literally impossible to do any work inside there. Randy, this is almost the identical type rod and design on a Corrinna for example....

[bing4sons]

I have one of the older truss rod wrenches. I need to find it first and try it. Did a quick look thru the older cases and didn't find one. But I know I have at least one of them somewhere. serial number indicates the guitar was made about 1997/98.

It's definitely larger.  Before I bought the "J" shaped wrench, I thought the OM-03 truss rod might be stripped, as I couldn't get any traction.  If you can't find yours, let me know and I can get you a loaner in the mail.