Spoke Wheel Truss Rod worn threads? help needed please!!!

[Bassjunkie]

I'm having a problem with one of my basses that has a spoke wheel truss rod at the bottom of the neck. The first couple of threads on the truss rod look worn and are not gripping the spoke wheel. The threads on the spoke wheel seem to be fine. I cant adjust the truss rod and its a pity because everything else on the bass is perfect.

Does anybody know of a tool tool i can buy to rethread the truss rod nut?

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Technique/TrussRods/BrokenR...

Is it possible to buy the tools used above for this job directly from you Frank?

any help/advice would be really appreciated!

[Russell Vance]

Hi BJ.

Stewmac sell a commercial version of this system - it's a straight forward procedure to fix this by the look.  The gear is expensive - maybe better to take it/send it  to a luthier who already has the gear if you are not a luthier yourself.  Pretty sure you will get a lead from this forum if youpublish your area.Rusty.

[Robbie Collins]

I'm confused. You say "the first few threads of the truss rod nut" are stripped. But then you say "the threads on the spoke wheel seem to be fine." Isn't the spoke wheel the nut? 

Franks tool appears to be a one-off, but it wouldn't surprise me if someone made something like that. You might take it to a machine shop and ask them if they can chase the threads.

[Ned Knepp]

You MIGHT be able to chase the treads on the end of the rod and get a good bite on the nut but the way they look to me in the pictures makes me think that pulling the metal back into "teeth" will leave you with very weak threads.  With some patience and being VERY careful it might be possible to cut the end of the rod to a slightly smaller thread size and use a new nut. I've done this on automotive application in a pinch but I'm not actually recommending it on a truss rod. I second the idea of taking it to someone with experience as a good idea. They will be able to evaluate it much better than anyone here can from pictures.

[Russell Vance]

The system to fix this is made by STEWMAC: Imagery attached.   Refer to my first post.

If there is an alternative method that works or was remarkable cheaper I'm sure someone will mention it.  So your choices as I see them are to pop the board and replace the rod, buy and use this system  or find a luthier with this system and send the neck to him.

Rusty.

[LARRY KLOSE]

The tool works very well.  Several years ago I had a stripped rod and my local guy didn't have the Stew Mac tool.  We cut a deal: he did the work to fix the rod and did some other work for me and I bought him the tool in payment.  The tool was cheaper at the time, though.  The tool did the job and I've had no trouble with the rod since.

Here's a live link to the Stew Mac page with the tool:

http://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Truss_Rods/Truss_...

Larry

[Mark McLean]

The Dan video makes me want to buy it, and then buy a broken guitar just so that I can use it. 

OK, wait, that doesn't sound very sensible, but it does look like a very satisfying repair.  BJ, Larry's suggestion sounds great.  Some local luthier could corner the Irish market in truss rod repair jobs if you talk him into it.