Cigano GJ-10 truss-rod adjustment problem

sidneystreet

The allen wrench cannot seat fully into the nut. A top brace is right up next to it and partially blocking it. Using a mirror, I'd estimate that the upper 25-30% of the truss-rod nut is inaccessible.

Any suggestions? Should I shave down a little of the brace just in front of the nut? Would a ball-end wrench get under there?

I've had no trouble at all adjusting my Gitane DG-300. It was a cinch. This GJ-10 was purchased used and plays and sounds great. However, it has just a little more relief than I like.

Thanks for any help.

David F.

I'm a bicycle mechanic for work and often have to figure out how to adjust a fastener that's in a partly obscured position. I would try a Bondhus (ball end) wrench. I don't think they make a regular "L" shaped key with a ball on the short end; you may have to do something like turn it with a very short box-end wrench--there are 4mm and 5mm box end wrenches. The ideal might be to get a socket the right size and buy a Bondhus wrench to cut 1" or so off of the end to turn with the socket--you'll have a custom Cigano truss rod tool!

BluesBop Harry

wow, that's weird... my guitar also has a top brace in front of the trussrod access but the brace has a hole in it for the wrench to go through.
Maybe taking your guitar to a good repair guy is in order?

sidneystreet

Thanks for the input, guys.

Eventually, I am sure I'll have to address this problem with either a bold frontal assault (me and some shop tools/improvised ball-end wrench) or a trip to the luthier.

Fortunately, the guitar is just fine as is. But, it would be nice to be able to adjust the neck relief from time to time.

Bob Holo

Yep, Bondhus - no shop is complete without a set.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... _200351109

But nonetheless - take it easy on the trussrod. Trussrods are one of those things people view as a panacea to every neck or playability issue and in reality they're really good for only retaining the proper curvature of the fretboard between the ~2nd and 9th frets (approx...) and even then they should really only be used to vary things by a few thousandths of an inch - anything more than that and the issue is elsewhere. They're really given too much credit/blame for what they do and don't do for a neck. Even if you do try adjusting it yourself, have someone who knows a fair bit about necks take a look at it for you to make sure that's what needs adjustment. Most of the time it's just a high fret or low action etc.