Difficulty with Taylor trussrod tool accessing slotted headstock recess!!!

[Rosewood32]

Hello everyone,

Has anyone ever experienced difficulty when trying to access the recess on a slotted headstock Taylor to adjust the 1/4" trussrod nut using Taylors own 1/4" truss rod wrench ? I can gain access on my 17 year old GA414 no problem to adjust the trussrod nut using the Taylor wrench that came with the guitar,but when I use the same tool on my new GC12ce 12-Fret DLX it wont engage the 1/4" nut, as the barrel appears to be too long to fully enter the recess and engage the 1/4" nut at all.I see Stewmac selling 1/4" trussrod wrenches which are shorter in barrel length and was wondering if this is to remedy the same type of problem I have with my slotted headstock Taylor.Any help/info regarding this will be greatly appreciated.Thanks.

Cheers,
Rosewood32

[timfitz63]

I've never used Taylor's truss rod tool myself; I just use a 1/4" nut driver with a long shank and a slender socket.  Still, the socket is sometimes tight to fit into the recessed area where the truss rod nut is.  In my experience, the problem lies with the recess, not the nut itself -- the recess is sometimes just a bit too narrow and/or not quite deep enough.

I've simply resorted to angling the tool and gently forcing the socket into the recess and onto the nut, then gently pulling it out again when I've made the adjustment.  How well that technique will work with a truss rod tool is anybody's guess, though...

Good luck!

[Edward]

Tim's experience mine. 

1. I prefer to use a 1/4" socket instead of the Taylor tool as I know I can get a firm grasp on both the tool and the nut head, lessening any chance that I will damage the nut or scratch the finish in surrounding area.

2. It seems every TR area varies a bit in terms of how tight a fit in the wood area, let alone the fit immediately around the nut.  The use a socket has never failed me (having adjusted every Taylor I've owned over the decade+ ownership).  I suppose the Stewmac tool will work, but so much easier/cheaper to just go down to Lowes or Home Depot and pick up a set.

Edward

[Rosewood32]

Hello timfitz63,

Thanks for your feedback regarding this issue.Your explanation fits my situation exactly.I guess I will just have to try out some different type nut spinners/sockets to see what fits best.Thanks again for your reply.


Cheers,
Rosewood32

[Rosewood32]

Hello Edward,

Thanks for your views and experience regarding my issue.I agree regarding the variance of clearance in the recess.Taylor make excellent guitars to very high standards,but I dare see even within their manufacturing tolerances,you may from time to time experience small variations within production.As I mentioned to timfitz63 earlier,I will just try different nut spinners/sockets until I find a suitable solution.Thanks again for your reply.

Cheers,
Rosewood32

[Rosewood32]

Hi Everyone,

Just to conclude on the issue regarding difficulty with truss rod recess access on my slotted headstock GC812ce 12-Fret DLX.I just received the 1/4" Pocket Truss Rod Wrench I ordered from Stewmac,and with it being so much smaller than my original Taylor truss rod wrench,I now can access the slotted headstock 1/4 inch nut with ease.This thankfully has now solved my problem,so a big 'hats off' to Stewmac on this occasion from me 

Cheers,
Rosewood32