1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

[brainiac]

I recently purchased a 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas - this one's a Standard. I was setting it up today and noticed that none of my allen wrenches were a fit. I have a gripper truss rod from Stew Mac that I tried next but it too couldn't get a grip. Am I missing something? Does this look stripped or is it missing some part? Any special tool required for these truss rods? Any help will be appreciated!

Cheers!

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

Different metrics? mm vs inch?

 

[AlexR]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

That would be my thought too. The hex corners look fine.....such that the right size should have no trouble gripping.

 

[brainiac]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

Thanks AlexR and Obsessive Compulsive! I'm glad you feel so. So these are hex corners? I thought they looked like threads and was wondering maybe a piece came off or something (crazy, I know!)

 

[Adieu]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

Slim AND deep hex socket, google the size. Normal fat socket in otherwise correct size probably won't fit

Proper tool looks like a metal crackpipe

 

[brainiac]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

Thanks Adieu. I've written to Charvel but don't think they'd respond so soon.

 

[brainiac]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

So I called up Charvel today and they don't have information on these. Bummer

I'm planning on buying a hex key set to try which one fits. Any recommendations? (I'm in the US)

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

So I called up Charvel today and they don't have information on these. Bummer

I'm planning on buying a hex key set to try which one fits. Any recommendations? (I'm in the US)

Usually you can get big SAE and Metric Allen key sets at any big box hardware store. If you have a local bike shop near you, they'll probably let you try out Allen keys to find the one you need if you're cheap and just want to buy a single one.

 

[brainiac]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

Haha. I AM cheap but I'm probably lazier. Going to a big box hardware store with the guitar and trying out allen keys is too much work. I am seeing both SAE and Metric allen key sets on Amazon for $14-15 and I'll probably just get one of those. Do I go with ball-end ones or regular ones?

 

[larryguitar]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

Haha. I AM cheap but I'm probably lazier. Going to a big box hardware store with the guitar and trying out allen keys is too much work. I am seeing both SAE and Metric allen key sets on Amazon for $14-15 and I'll probably just get one of those. Do I go with ball-end ones or regular ones?

Standard Allen keys can stand a bit more pressure (assuming they can be fully inserted into the allen head), while ball-end ones can manage angled entries better. If buying only one set, I'd probably go for the ball-ends, myself.

Larry

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

I've always preferred ball ends myself.

 

[devastone]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

I usually keep one of these handy - https://www.amazon.com/CRAFTSMAN-94...=1551801600&s=gateway&sr=8-11&tag=googhydr-20

 

[brainiac]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

I finally went to Home Depot today and got the standard set (before reading all the comments). The size that fit was 4.5mm! Yay! Hope this information helps someone in the future!
Thanks to everyone who helped


On a side note: should I get it changed for the ones with ball ends? I don't think I'd use them for anything else other than adjusting truss rods

 

[devastone]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

For adjusting truss rods I would stick with the straight ones, the ball ends are nice for hard to reach screws, but anytime you can use a straight one I recommend it, more surface area contact so less chance of stripping the screw or the wrench.

 

[brainiac]

Re: 1995 USA Charvel San Dimas Truss Rod Problem

Thanks devastone