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Hi Folks,
Last month I was finishing up my 5th guitar...OOO-12 fret. Everything was going well. I set the neck up and I needed to adjust the truss rod a little. As I was turning the hex nut to the right(clockwise) I noticed that the key was slipping out of the nut. Never did I imagine that the nut would strip out. It did. Now usually the nut is made of hard tempered metal just like the key...I guess??
I got most of the adjustment I needed but another 1/4 turn would be nice. Now what should I do?
I don't want to replace the truss rod.(StewMac truss rod).
It's just too much work to remove the fretboard etc, etc.
I would like to put another nut on or be able to get that extra 1/4 turn I need.
Any suggestions??

Thanks, Walter

HI Walter

Is the truss rod nut inside the neck block ?

Assuming it is and it is the type that the nut removes on and not a hotrod.

First try a ball end key you might be able to get a grip at an angle and remove the nut, alternatley if this does work put epoxy on a key you are willing to sacrafice, pusy it in an let the epoxy set you should be able to take the nut off.

If it is a hot rod do Epoxy a piece of key and make a little adjuster.

Hope this helps buddy

The truss rod is a stewmac Hot Rod double action design #0990. It's a 1/8" hex nut. I believe the nut is welded onto the threaded rod..not sure!! The nut is in the neck block.

WalterWalterK38695.8412037037

The HotRod's nuts are indeed welded on, unfortunately. Is this a bolt-on neck? Because in that case, you might just be able to pull and replace the truss rod without pulling the fingerboard. It's theoretically possible, anyway.

Hi Walter

Hi Walter I use the smaller version 1/8" Nut and the key goes deep inside. I think Mattias solution might be the one, unless it is a dovetail of course. Either that or glue a piece of key in.

Hi Russell,
It's a bolt on neck from Stewmac. So, I can take the neck off, I just don't know what to do. That nut is probably welded on the rod.????
Stewmac doesn't show an exact copy of the nut that comes with the truss rod for replacement.
I sent an email to them yesterday. We'll see what their reply will be.
Thanks for your help Russell...I appreciate your concern and generosity.

Take care, walter

Hi Walter

Once the neck is off you may be able to slide the entire truss rod out.

Did you use dobsa little bit of silicone to bed the rod. you need to slacken the rod so it is not putting any force on the neck, then try to pull the rod out wiggle back and forth to try and break the seal, if it won't come apply some heat to the nut and let it transfer up the rod, the safest way is with a heat blanket and some gloves so you can hold the blanket ( I use leather rigger gloves for this.

If you don't want to pull the neck, then the other method assuming you can still get a hex key into the nut is to expoxy in a cut down key so then you leave enough prodruding into the body that you can put a little spanner on it, it is not an everlasting repair and may need reglueing in the future, but it would get you out of trouble. Then whenever the instrument needs a reset in the future the rod could be replaced.