Box spanner for Yamaha

[stevie]

The question's in the header really. It looks like i need some kind of short, right-angled box spanner to adjust the truss rod on my Yamaha BB. Can I get this kind of thing from an ironmonger's or do I have to ask Yamaha?

Edited October 22, 2009 by stevie

[Dread Bass]

Might be worth contacting Yamaha then you know you are getting the right tool in the right size for the job.

[Telebass]

If the BBs used the same butt-end adjuster as the old RB series I had, then a standard Gibson truss rod key fits perfectly. Shouldn't be hard to get hold of.

[stevie]

Brilliant, guys, thanks - I think I can sort myself something out now.

[fatback]

[quote name='Telebass' post='635223' date='Oct 24 2009, 11:20 AM']If the BBs used the same butt-end adjuster as the old RB series I had, then a standard Gibson truss rod key fits perfectly. Shouldn't be hard to get hold of.[/quote]

Any update on this? Does the Gibson key fit? What size? I'm about to tackle the relief on a bb. Much trepidation.


fatback

Edited December 3, 2009 by fatback

[stevie]

[quote name='fatback' post='673283' date='Dec 3 2009, 03:27 PM']Any update on this? Does the Gibson key fit? What size? I'm about to tackle the relief on a bb. Much trepidation.[/quote]
I tried the local music shop with no joy. A trawl through the web shows that Allparts UK have various ones in their catalogue for very little money but I'm not sure what size I need. I've emailed Yamaha and am awaiting a reply.

[mrcrow]

i got a set of cheap socket spanners from woolies...long time ago
which worked ok on my rick twin rods but didnt need to be right angled

i would try the pound shops...could be there are some mickey mouse sets there with an item in them to do the job

any socket will do so long as it fits!!

[stevie]

[quote name='mrcrow' post='674993' date='Dec 5 2009, 03:25 PM']i got a set of cheap socket spanners from woolies...long time ago
which worked ok on my rick twin rods but didnt need to be right angled

i would try the pound shops...could be there are some mickey mouse sets there with an item in them to do the job

any socket will do so long as it fits!![/quote]
Unfortunately, a normal box spanner or socket won't fit. The problem is getting the socket to the nut, which is recessed inside the neck. You need a very short box spanner affair with a handle attached at right angles. There are pictures of some here: [url="http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/tools-guitar-care/truss-rod-spanners-c-277_1_137_138.html"]http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/all..._1_137_138.html[/url]

If I knew what size would fit, I'd order one, but I'm getting conflicting information on the size needed and can't get in there with anything else except the specialist tool. I'm going to email Allparts now to ask them.

[mrcrow]

[quote name='stevie' post='675236' date='Dec 5 2009, 08:23 PM']Unfortunately, a normal box spanner or socket won't fit. The problem is getting the socket to the nut, which is recessed inside the neck. You need a very short box spanner affair with a handle attached at right angles. There are pictures of some here: [url="http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/tools-guitar-care/truss-rod-spanners-c-277_1_137_138.html"]http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/all..._1_137_138.html[/url]

If I knew what size would fit, I'd order one, but I'm getting conflicting information on the size needed and can't get in there with anything else except the specialist tool. I'm going to email Allparts now to ask them.[/quote]

my rickenbacker came with a spanner like that and it broke at the handle to box joint..

i dont doubt you will get one...i just thought us musicians can get to thinking it has to be the one and only for the make

good luck stevie
geof

[stevie]

[quote name='mrcrow' post='675248' date='Dec 5 2009, 08:43 PM']i dont doubt you will get one...[/quote]
I'm doing my best, but it ain't easy. Yamaha replied and seem to think it's 8mm, although they no longer carry them themselves. I went on the Allparts site to order one and .............. out of stock.

Is there an alternative UK supplier?

[mrcrow]

[quote name='stevie' post='676609' date='Dec 7 2009, 12:29 PM']I'm doing my best, but it ain't easy. Yamaha replied and seem to think it's 8mm, although they no longer carry them themselves. I went on the Allparts site to order one and .............. out of stock.

Is there an alternative UK supplier?[/quote]

back to the cheapie idea...a socket and an allen key
force the allen key into the square of the socket driven end

i have a yamaha 270J...i havent set the neck yet but i will check tonight.. i am at work...and see if i can adjust it easily...i might have the same problem..the adjustment is at the body end

ps...how about a survey of the music shops if possible to get a loan of one..

its a bugger just for a simple adjusting tool to have to search the world

[stevie]

[quote name='mrcrow' post='676685' date='Dec 7 2009, 01:21 PM']back to the cheapie idea...a socket and an allen key
force the allen key into the square of the socket driven end[/quote]
OK - I'll check through my sockets, give it a go and report back.

[mrcrow]

[quote name='stevie' post='676705' date='Dec 7 2009, 01:41 PM']OK - I'll check through my sockets, give it a go and report back.[/quote]

just had a look at the 270J....fortunately its an allen key job

if you get a socket to fit...any bit of bent metal will do the turning...after slackening off the strings usually a truss rod turns quite easily

a round bar hammered to the appropriate square...then bent would do the 'key' to turn the socket

cheers
geof

[stevie]

[quote name='mrcrow' post='677042' date='Dec 7 2009, 07:25 PM']just had a look at the 270J....fortunately its an allen key job[/quote]
Lucky you! I've found a small 8mm socket that should fit but I will have to saw some length off the matching Allen key to get it in. Thanks for the advice, Geof - I think this will eventually work.

No response from Allparts to my email and they seem to be the only supplier.

[mrcrow]

[quote name='stevie' post='677660' date='Dec 8 2009, 11:13 AM']Lucky you! I've found a small 8mm socket that should fit but I will have to saw some length off the matching Allen key to get it in. Thanks for the advice, Geof - I think this will eventually work.

No response from Allparts to my email and they seem to be the only supplier.[/quote]


allen keys are made in tool steel so get a really sharp blade...hope it all works ok
i have made loads of one off tools to fix the car

[stevie]

[quote name='mrcrow' post='677679' date='Dec 8 2009, 11:21 AM']allen keys are made in tool steel so get a really sharp blade...hope it all works ok
i have made loads of one off tools to fix the car[/quote]
I really didn't fancy cutting my allen key. So I ordered one from Allparts. It took a month to get here (with Christmas and New Year in betweeen) but it arrived the other day. A quick quarter turn and it was done. For anyone finding this thread at a later date, I can confirm that the 8mm one fits.

[mrcrow]

[quote name='stevie' post='712636' date='Jan 14 2010, 03:05 PM']I really didn't fancy cutting my allen key. So I ordered one from Allparts. It took a month to get here (with Christmas and New Year in betweeen) but it arrived the other day. A quick quarter turn and it was done. For anyone finding this thread at a later date, I can confirm that the 8mm one fits.[/quote]

Ta Dah!

[fatback]

[quote name='mrcrow' post='712940' date='Jan 14 2010, 07:37 PM']Ta Dah![/quote]

Ditto here, 8mm from Allparts did the trick. Arrived couple of days ago, although took less than a week (to Ireland). Postage cost more than the spanner, but it was worth it.

Relief now flatter than a flat thing.

Edited January 14, 2010 by fatback

[lownote]

unless i got the wrong end of the stick these are easy to get on ebay. couplea quid, purpose built 8mm socket, worked on my bb300 any road