hooky_lowdown Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Got a used bass on fleabay today, all looks good, until I start to set it up. Turns out some moron has put super glue down the truss rod hole a long, long, long time ago. Anyway, I've managed to scrape out the glue to the top of the truss rod, but I'm unable to get the glue out of the nut where the allen key fits. Any advice on how to get the remaining glue out so i can fit an allen key? N.B it's a Fender neck with truss rod access at headstock only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Something sharp and a lot of patience! I'd probably start at it with a small, sharp twist drill to clear out the most of it (turned by hand and being careful not to mar the faces of the nut) and then small, chisel-shaped scalpel blades or maybe something like a larger hypodermic needle might work well to get into the corners. Maybe a needle file or 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Have you tried using a braddle or a small electrical screwdriver to poke down the hole to loosen it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Very careful use of solvent? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Quite worrying that someone has done that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted June 4, 2018 Author Share Posted June 4, 2018 I used a bradawl to remove the glue down to the hex. I don't have a small screwdriver or drill. I've just ordered some superglue debonder, so hoping that will loosen some of the glue first, then I plan on using the bradawl and/or very small screwdriver to hook out the glue in the hex. Man, what a ball ache. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 I had a Warwick with a twisted neck and wrecked TR. I took it to a luthier who removed the fretboard, un-twisted the neck, replaced the truss rod (I supplied this), and refitted it all. Total cost £100. So don't despair, it's not too expensive if it does go to the worst. Let me know if you'd like luthier's details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted June 4, 2018 Author Share Posted June 4, 2018 Thanks @Grangur although if the debonder doesn't work, I'll be returning it, and getting my money back. Cheaper than luthier bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 My worry is what you will find once the glue is out. I wouldn't be surprised to fins a stripped thread. Does superglue soften at all with heat - e.g. a soldering iron?? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 I did this with one of those cheap copies of dentistry probes/scrapers you can get from Poundland or Boots. Worked pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Yes, but as @Count Bassy says, when you've removed the glue you then have to deal with the reason why the previous owner saw fit to "fix" it with epoxy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Yeah, I got that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted June 4, 2018 Share Posted June 4, 2018 Either a goosed truss rod or possibly a rattling one? RTS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Thanks grangur. That’s funny I used to be called count bassy at school in the 80 s 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 Heat up the allen key then tap it into the glue as it is hot it dissolves the glue once fullty in the hole let the glue reharden then unscrew the truss rod nut all the way off and replace it this method is pretty effective if done right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted June 9, 2018 Author Share Posted June 9, 2018 UPDATE: I used debonder on the super glue along with a braddle, took some time but managed to remove much of the glue and am able to fit an allen key in now and trussrod works fine. Phew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted June 12, 2018 Share Posted June 12, 2018 So why would anyone superglue it up in the first place....very odd! Anyway result for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted June 14, 2018 Share Posted June 14, 2018 On 12/06/2018 at 15:52, yorks5stringer said: So why would anyone superglue it up in the first place....very odd! Anyway result for you. There are some folk who live in terror of their world exploding if the truss rod setting is changed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted June 14, 2018 Share Posted June 14, 2018 I guess if you played a lot of slap bass you may worry that the truss rod might unwind....?🙄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooky_lowdown Posted June 14, 2018 Author Share Posted June 14, 2018 We’ll never know why! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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