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Hartke XL-4 Truss Rod Tool


BigRedX
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I own this bass:



A Hartke XL-4 which I bought second hand about 18 months ago. It has a bit too much relief in the neck and so I need to adjust the truss rod.

Not a problem normally except that this bass seems to require a specialised tool to do the job. The fitting at the end of the truss rod isn't your standard allen key hexagonal or crossed slot (like a Fender) but something that looks like a cog in reverse, and would require a tool with a cog shaped fitting on the end. Any idea where I can get the proper tool to do this job? I'm prepared to pay for one.

Thanks in advance.

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[quote name='BigRedX' post='761613' date='Mar 2 2010, 10:48 AM']The fitting at the end of the truss rod isn't your standard allen key hexagonal or crossed slot (like a Fender) but something that looks like a cog in reverse, and would require a tool with a cog shaped fitting on the end.[/quote]
I have no idea about the Hartke basses, but might it be a [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torx"]Torx[/url]? If so, if you've got a multi-bit screwdriver, you should be able to get hold of a set of Torx bits for not much cash.

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No it's got more "teeth" and less difference between the outer and inner circumferences than a Torx. Looking at the list on the right of the page you linked to its more like a Triple Square, Spline Drive or a Double Hex. Also to be able to adjust the truss rod without removing the neck, it needs to be 90° angled like an Allen Key.

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[quote name='BigRedX' post='761640' date='Mar 2 2010, 11:09 AM']Looking at the list on the right of the page you linked to its more like a Triple Square, Spline Drive or a Double Hex.[/quote]
Ah well. Worth a shot from my ignorance! :rolleyes: Those patterns look like perfect recipes for stripped heads unless they're [i]seriously[/i] hardened. :)

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Are you sure you mean 1/2"?

The biggest imperial size Allen key in my set is 3/8" and that looks way to big.

It's difficult to see exactly what's going on in the slot for the truss rod adjustment, but the fitting definitely looks "toothed" and too regular for it to be damage from inexpertly adjusting the truss rod.

I'll try and find time in the next couple of days to take the neck off and have a proper look at the fitting, and post some photos.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Sort of...

I've taken the neck off and the tool required is a 1/4" allen key. The socket for the key is confusing because it's "doubled" to allow twice as many key positions which gives it the cog-like appearance rather than a standard hexagonal shape, obviously to compensate for the narrowness of the slot in the body. However with the neck off I can't get enough leverage to turn the truss rod in either direction, and all the 1/4" keys I have are too long (30-33mm) to fit in the socket with the neck in place - it needs to be about 20mm long. So until I can find a smaller 1/4" key or the time to cut one of the ones I have down to fit, the neck is going to have to remain with slightly too much relief.

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[quote name='BigRedX' post='777222' date='Mar 17 2010, 12:12 PM']Sort of...

I've taken the neck off and the tool required is a 1/4" allen key. The socket for the key is confusing because it's "doubled" to allow twice as many key positions which gives it the cog-like appearance rather than a standard hexagonal shape, obviously to compensate for the narrowness of the slot in the body. However with the neck off I can't get enough leverage to turn the truss rod in either direction, and all the 1/4" keys I have are too long (30-33mm) to fit in the socket with the neck in place - it needs to be about 20mm long. So until I can find a smaller 1/4" key or the time to cut one of the ones I have down to fit, the neck is going to have to remain with slightly too much relief.[/quote]
Ah, so it [b]is[/b] a Double Hex!

Is it possible to get hold of a 1/4" version of the Fender truss rod tool? You know, the red-handled T-shape one with a ball end:

That gives enough access on my Precision, and the truss-rod access point on that is way tighter than the Hartke looks. Ball-end is the key.

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