Removing a Stripped Fender Bullet Truss Rod Nut

What do you do when your 70s Fender Jazz Bass, Precision Bass, Tele or Strat has a stripped truss rod nut? In this video, we'll answer that question with my 1977 Jazz Bass yard sale find, and show one way to fix the problem. We will also talk a little about how to fix the root cause of the stripped nut with the addition of washers. Finally, we'll show why you should not buy a Stewart Macdonald replacement nut for your 70s Fender.

[@ianbarker2599]

Hi again, I'm a heating tech and use heat to remove seized items. The nut is a smaller part than the rod so applying heat with a soldering iron causes the bolt to expand faster than the long steel trus rod, this will loosen the nut. Bit of a fiddle and be careful with hot iron but works 👍

[@bluesingmusic3443]

Brad the secret to drilling holes, is the harder the material,( ie: stainless, titanium, steel, etc, ) The SLOWER the drill speed. As far as soft metals, aluminum etc, drill it fast or cut it fast. I know it seems opposite, but that's the secret. NOTE: you could've filed a flat spot on top of the bullet, that would have prevented the drill from dancing. One must have patience, try drilling titanium all day long, one becomes very patient, because if you drill it too fast, it burst into flames around the hole, & the metal becomes brittle. Serious stuff, my friend. Also on screws the 10 is for the width, the 32 is 32 threads per inch. The 10 is 10/32" so SM is a 1/32 too large. Screws are commonly called 10s for 10/32, 8s for 8/32, etc. Except for the small 4-40s though threads are 40 per inch, the screws are still called 4s.

[@doughhole]

no offence but after you broke the nut loose why couldn't you have just unscrewed it with the slot you made?

[@rchydrozz751]

Im guessing the heat from the cutting helped loosen the nut up enough to remove it. With a stripped out nut. Use if you have to make it, a tapered allen wrench. Go up a few sizes and taper the allen wrench on a grinder. That can sometimes help removing a stripped out nut. Stew Mac also sells them. An Easy Out might work.

[@robertrossman3703]

Tip for you. When trying to drill a hole on a rounded surface like this bullet, grind a “flat” on top. The drill bit will be less likely to “walk” when drilling.

[@jonnyz5772]

and on a almost 50 yr old instrument clamps and a drill press would be a great help too

[@nighttrain022]

I am so glad you had good luck with those slits and it didn't weaken the Bullet so parts of it broke off like your screwdriver tip. If I may ask, I am having a seemingly worse scenario with my '89 Am Std Strat Neck. I noticed that no matter if I tried to tighten or loosen the T rod nut, it just seemed to spin freely. Considering the possibility that the allen wrench was just spinning and not grabbing, I took the leap and actually drilled out the plug to get a visual on the T nut inside. It seems my problem is worse than a stripped T nut head because the wrench does catch and does spin the nut in both directions. The neck neither straightens or gets more bowed in either direction. I have seen where guys are able to get a loose T rod nut out of the hole to install a new one but they were able to get the nut to back itself off the threads to do so. In my case I fear there is more broken or loosened inside the neck that won't allow the nut to back off. Have you ever encountered this or have any suggestions to try in order to make my T rod work as it should? Thanks

[@nrich5127]

The truss rod nut gets stripped from idiots tightening the nut with the strings still on the bass. You must loosen the strings before tightening then re-tension the strings - tune and verify the neck bow. Repeat if neccessary. Trying to skip steps and go fast can ruin a neck - if you strip the truss rod , it's a BIG job to repair it $$$$$$$$$$$$ so it's cheaper just to replace the neck.

[@kabali1788]

The ad for the bullet misspelled "nut" instead of "not" for Fender !, That was a definite example of how you think a perfectly simple straightforward job turns out to be like an expedition up Mount Everest. I. glad you kept your cool and thanks as I thought that sort of thing only just happened to me !.

[@Daddy53751]

As a luthier in my old age, and a bassist for coming up on 50 years, Would love to know what you picked up that beauty for??? (That’s a fantastic instrument 😍) Man, I haven’t seen those black plastic covered strings in many, many YEARS!

[@seanmiller7889]

Wow! This video had everything! Drama... Suspense... & Tragedy. I almost cried in the end 😢

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

More of a tragedy than anything else, tbh.

[@garymallard4699]

It had a " TWIST " in the ending too !!🤔

[@MrSouthofBoston]

I appreciate this video but learned two important things. 1) I used the soldering iron to heat the bullet. Then I gently tapped a tapered star key into the hole. The bullet turned with little effort. 2) I was going to purchase a replacement bullet from StewMac and won’t be doing so. Thank you, Brad, and those who suggested using heat. 👌 You earned a new subscriber.

[@tonyp1313]

#10-32 is absolutely the correct thread size for any 70s Fender truss rod...Bullet or Heel style, Guitar or Bass, same thread. Yeah, and use an EZ Out to remove the stripped nut in about 2 minutes. Little 2 in 1 Oil does wonders too.

[@ianbarker2599]

Hi mate, heat is always a good option. Use a soldering iron with a bit that just fits inside oriface as it will cause bullet to expand off the thread, I sometimes put a very small drop of light oil mixed with nail varnish remover (acetone) to wet the thread a couple of hours before hand.

[@GeeMorno]

wouldn't heat be the opposite? When I was a kid, I would put coins in the freezer to knock out the middle. So Im confused what you mean.

[@jonnyz5772]

heat will expand only the bullet not the truss rod - so it will reduce the friction between the bullet and the truss rod by expanding the bullet so it would be easier to remove

[@tolerbearALTII]

How can I fix a stripped allen key truss rod on an Ibanez and Jackson type electric guitar neck? Do you have a video on that? Thanks.

[@stevevallance6326]

Good job! Not over produced, at home under real conditions. The banana peel makes it perfect.

[@drmetal1634]

I don't know much and exchanging parts on a guitar, but can you replace a modern fender with a bullet truss rod?

[@roadshowautosports]

“It’s like a NASCAR racing, and you want to see a disaster” 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 you’re too funny, brother!

[@Linux4UnMe]

Learned some useful tricks here. Thanks man :)

[@TheGuitologist]

You're welcome. Glad you got something out of it.

[@shawnhuff3920]

So order the correct size nut or go to a dealer have them ordered one or at your guitar shop have them removed and replace the nut

[@DeadKoby]

Man, I like ya, and I like what you do.... but that Banana peel & Vaseline on the work bench disturbs me.

[@RandyBurnettTalks]

It has a allen key truss rod feels like it's stripped on the bottom side. I can pull entire thing about a half an inch out of the hole.. Good news is neck is pretty strait right now. But over time I worry !

[@bluzturk]

Too Funny

[@nevermind-he8ni]

Not to mention working in the dark...?

[@steveharris2589]

Good work on the bass Brad , I never have own a bass guitar. 🎸🎸🎸👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼😊

[@howltrigger7713]

Great job Mr. Guigui as usual.

[@timflynn2136]

I've got a 1967 Fender Bass V in Mint condition with original case. The neck is wrapped really bad. Did you have any idea how to straighten it?

[@reijerlincoln]

Do you have (a friend with) access to a machine shop? Piece of steel rod, a lathe, drill & tap set... done. Make a bunch of them and start selling them!

[@johne7100]

Chrome vanadium is the standard tool steel. Nothing wrong with it. And I'd have put a drop of penetrating oil in and let it work for a day or two before starting. Otherwise, looks like fun. Not.

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

I'm glad you ID'd the music on there; I could have sworn it was the beginning of The Stones 'You Can't Always Get What You Want'... sounds like the same note, at least.

[@ekirenrut]

I have that same bass. '77, Bound neck, block inlays, pickup and bridge covers - the whole nine. Thing is a beast. I'll have to check my serial number and see how close they are.

[@TheUmart]

dude,did you fixed it all yet?i'd love a follow up on this...

[@joshshine2489]

next time...hopefully you won't have a next time but....epoxy a hex key into it. if you just use the straight portion of an Allen wrench you can use a socket and ratchet, or they sell them already as socketed hex keys. strong epoxy like jb weld. you'll have to sacrifice an Allen wrench but no cutting or drilling involved so no chance of harm to the instrument. with a quick set epoxy it should be faster as well.

[@TheGuitologist]

That might work as well. Thanks for the comment!

[@johnchase8510]

Exactly Josh! When I saw the headstock taped off I thought for sure it was being prepared for JB Welding in a hex key. Works like a charm, and then you cut off the end of the key and have a shorter, usable hex. Excellite makes very good straight ones with extensions, a screwdriver type handle and a "T" type handle. they all snap together, and parts are replaceable. Is the ding in the headstock right behind the bullet from a cutoff wheel strike? Any time we use a tool or technique where it is possible to slip and cause damage, damage it likely. A slice of Masonite would help protect most of the headstock if you did have to drill a hole in the bullet. a split second can cost hours or days of hard restoration work.

[@steveellis6090]

The only issue with your epoxy suggestion is , the epoxy could bind up the thread, therefore making the problem worse.

[@rockingmods]

I would NOT let this person anywhere near my axe. WARNING!!! How NOT to remove a rod nut.

[@stevevallance6326]

Instead of washers, could you use the old bullet? Drill it out and cut off the end?

[@lurklingX]

really great video!!

[@TheGuitologist]

Thanks a lot. I still have the bass! Plays great.

[@audiotechlabs4650]

Wow! It's not the first time StewMac has dropped the ball! What a save though. You are good. I had to drill the hole method. I used a 1/32 black oxide drill bit and got a pilot hole then a 1/8 and had the same result. I got lucky the 1/32 bit went through! Good fix. Thankz

[@TheGuitologist]

My drill bits really let me down on this one. They don't have the bite they needed to get started. No substitute for good tools on a project like this.

[@williambarnes7469]

can't believe you said that. The guitologist said that it was in the fine print about the size. He missed it. Not only that, he didn't know what size he needed anyway. That's ok, I would know the size on my guitar. Not sure why he'd want his money back, since he paid over $10 for the part and shipping. He'd only stand to get the $4 back for the part and he may have to pay for return shipping, albeit not over $7 or even close.

[@Tricknologyinc]

That's what center punches are for.

[@izzysantiago978]

My wife heard the Dremel on your video and yelled out "AGAIN working on your bass"?!?!!? LOL!!

[@jamesgretsch4894]

I don't have Jazz bases or any guitars in my neighborhood garage sales. Lucky guy.

[@TheGuitologist]

I usually don't either! This was a very good day.

[@brauliomanuelsotoibarra9260]

will this fit a Fender MIM? I mean the bullet nut

[@yrulooknatme]

maybe stew gave you the correct nut and the one on there had been replaced by an amateur. 1 it was tight, 2 hex head stripped out 3 it was cracked, indicating to me the nut was too small. I would find out more info on the nut sizes if i had that guitar. Then I'd go from there. And remember.. "a truss rod is a terrible thing to wast! " Good luck!

[@kenchuba6024]

Did you try hitting the nut on the head toward the nut to shock the threads? Sometimes that works with a drop of penetrating oil.

[@TheGuitologist]

Can't remember now, but I probably did. It's a good suggestion. I don't think it would have worked on this one. Someone tightened so tight the bullet was cracked by the hex key.

[@kenchuba6024]

That was cranked on badly to crack the bullet. Surprised neither the nut nor the rod got stripped. Glad it worked out in the end.

[@garymallard4699]

I think he did something with a banana and vasoline that " SHOCKED " the whole Guitar !!

[@roberthickey4826]

Fender actually makes truss rod washers for exactly that application. They’re about $9 w/ free shipping (12 washers) on eBay

[@xh4r744]

Stewmac shipping is highway robbery no doubt.I stopped buying from them years ago.

[@historiclp4577]

Brad, Every time i watch your videos,i notice that ring your wearing.I had that exact ring,a d sold it years ago now, lol..to one of those places that buys gold,and what not.Did you get that in Mass at all,lol.Weird question but i have never ever seen another exact ring like that anywhere

[@seery88]

Really??? call Stew Mac and get a refund for a $4 nut ?????

[@luisownerbr]

Is this a two way truss rod? If no, how does it work on a two way? Won't you damage the neck if ou turn the bad nut all the way until it comes off?

[@TheGuitologist]

No, it isn't two way. Won't hurt the neck to take the nut off. I wouldn't want to leave it off for any length of time with strings on as that would probably warp the neck, but with no string pressure, nah, shouldn't hurt anything.

[@luisownerbr]

If you say so, thanks for the info, I'll try to fix an old strat copy that I have laying around then.

[@chrisorth]

You can heat the nut with a soldering iron to help loosen it of the truss rod.

[@steveellis6090]

Applying heat to the fretboard area can unbind the fretboard.

[@leomonster1973]

Screw extractor?

[@williambarnes7469]

this seems to be quite weird. You have a 77 or so bass, which happens to be after 1971, why do you think the new nut wouldn't fit? Wonder if it had a new truss rod using new, old stock replacement in it's past. Could you have been sent a nut for older Fenders but have a newer bass? Could you have a faked Squier to look like Fender? So, many questions. When I need to fiind nut or bolt thread size, I go to a local mom and pop hardware store and try out their stuff until I find the right size; maybe you could too. It may answer a lot of these questions. :D

[@crimediveinvestigates2222]

william Barnes this is possible. I have never noticed a difference between the older nuts and the new ones. I’ve changed 4 or 5, all 70s.

[@clark3830]

you forgot to spray lub in it first and it would have broken loose faster.

[@RandyBurnettTalks]

Can a stripped hex nut be fixed on a epiphone truss rod?

[@TheGuitologist]

Should be able to remove the nut and replace it, I would think.

[@avega2792]

It was a nice bass. Was.

[@stevevallance6326]

The old one looks metal, great story.

[@usoppbarbosa981]

Pavlov got me good on this one... as the dremel was cutting, i swear i could smell that >_>

[@thefilthygringo9228]

Dude, you’re like the bad news Bears of Guitar fixing

[@snurf727]

Have you tried ALL-PARTS for a possible replacement...

[@TheGuitologist]

I have since been researching alternatives, but I'm afraid this part is a Chinese POS that all the American companies are stocking from the same source. Maybe I'm wrong on that. I need to make sure the next one is correct, I'm not going to risk stripping out my truss rod threads because of someone else's incompetence.

[@argkampfhund]

This one is OEM (for what that's worth :-) Reviews say it's not metric if that helps?... www.amazon.com/Fender-Bullet-Truss-Rod-Nut/dp/B001JQ7SC2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464499518&sr=8-1&keywords=Fender+Bullet+Truss+Rod+Nut

[@bobsaturday4273]

holy grind n gouge batman ! never heard of an easy-out ?

[@TheGuitologist]

The bullet was cracked. If you inset a tool and try to turn it, it just jumps. Plus it was over-tightened to begin with. Probably the reason it was cracked.

[@MDonovan]

if you don't have the right size washers use the old nut as a spacer - drill out the threads and cut it of around 2 or 3 mm

[@lucyzambrano2648]

Maybe try a larger blade flat screwdriver .. Looks like other people used the wrong size hex key on that nut ..

[@nymsmacgregor7232]

I love StewMac but the shipping prices are bad. I've received tiny parts in a shoe box sized box. I wish they would just use padded manilla stuffy bags. Emergencies don't always require a pile of stuff to justify $9.95 shipping.

[@lrbrad4d]

That $7 shipping was to cover the weight of their catalog, whether you need it or not!

[@bfiume]

I was wondering what it cost to send that part back??

[@stargatewv]

You do amazing shit. High wire act.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

I would've flattened off the rounded bullet and used that flat to drill through the nut and used a upside down drill bits to turn the rod. Less chance of marring the wood. Nevertheless this method worked ☺

[@nicolemichlovsky2505]

Another little tip..Once you break it loose an easier and quicker way is to actually turn it back tight and then loosen it again...Do that 20 or 30 times back n forth and itll let loose..Most of the time the epoxy trick the guy down below talked about wont work cause the epoxy wont hold if the bullets really tight...

[@krustybuzzard2477]

The next time try heat. Heat an old screw driver cherry red and transfer the heat to the nut once you have a slit cut in it.

[@grantkoeller8911]

Fender is 3/16" using a 10/32 thread and Squier is 4MM

[@MrJed50]

Is that a Japanese JB? If so their bullets are 4 mm instead of 3/16. Could be your problem.

[@steveellis6090]

I fell for the same mistake, the new nut supplied is a metric threaded copy made in China. Great if yiou have a Squire.

[@steby123]

Start the hole on a curved surface with a Center drill.

[@joakimvirdung156]

That is going on in this video is just horrible. Thats very rough way of doing it and you are very lucky to not totally destroy the nick. Also for the nut with incorrect threads. Its nothing wrong with the nut. You always have to check which threads you have before ordering a nut as it is at least three different threads. 8-32 10-32 and 10-24. Don't complain on the supplier. They sent what you ordered and its not junk.

[@garymallard4699]

Dude..that Empty Banana peel and jar of Vasoline is looking strange together!! 🤨🤔😆🙊

[@leonardcrate]

I repaired so many guitars in my life when you turned on the dremel..... I smelled the lubricants that burn off on the gears 😂

[@DMarlow83]

I'm just happy I'm not the only one who uses yoga blocks for maintainance work... Mine happens to be pink as I stole it from the wife.

[@kerrykrishna]

Next time, try a broken screw extractor.

[@failuremagnet]

Stew-Mac - screwing up guitar supplies left, right and center and charging you twice as much for the "privilege"... plus shipping!

[@lentrout9858]

Room temperature IQ at work.

[@gaylen8467]

Wow, you did a lot of damage to that bass. Shame on you

[@johnmclaughlin2392]

Stew Mac makes graduated hex keys for stripped truss rods. 😬

[@musicamex]

Try an "easy out". I have used them for years to remove broken bolts AND stripped truss rod nuts. Been fixing guitars and amps for over 50 yrs. Google easy out tool. Good luck. I like your videos and your "picking". I like people who think outside of the box.😉

[@TheGuitologist]

Yeah I've seen that tool Stew Mac sells that has a graduated hex, but this SOB was so stuck, and due to the crack, any time you tried to turn a hex it would expand and skip to the next channel. It was pretty much out of desperation I went to this extent to remove it. Next time I have this come up, which is hopefully NEVER, I'll look into it. Thanks a lot for your comment and I look forward to learning from your experience in the future. Please feel free to dole out the pointers! I can often use them. Many ways to skin a cat and it's nice to hear from people who have been there and done that.

[@musicamex]

Easy outs are not like a graduated hex. Even Harbor Freight carrys them. Any auto parts store like Napa too. For stubborn tr nuts i have drilled a 1/16 hole in the bottom of the hole till it penetrates the nut, then a few drops of wd40 with the git fiddle standing upright. Wait till the next day and if that doesnt help get oyt the 357 mag.😢

[@nrich5127]

God damn Fender - how in the world they could use such a "rinky dink" design for the truss rod nut on a bass. They went for the "look" of the "Bullet" design over function. The nut should be threaded all the way through the inside and an outside "nut" that you could put a socket on would have eliminated this disaster. They even could have made the head of the nut domed for the bullet look. Also while I'm at it - Fender should have put a grease on the threads of the truss rod and this would also make for a smoother adjustment and less chance of the threads seizing on the truss rod. Stew-Mac also should get on top of this parts problem and get the right part made with the proper thread size ( more incompetence from people who just don't care ). I wouldn't be surprised if the Stew Mac nut they provided has a metric thread size and is made in China. I guess we'll have to call Fender to get the right part ( oh what a joy that'll be ).

[@darrellmay4502]

I know that it cost more but I thought that you were going to originally replace the whole Truss Rod!,,,, lols!...

[@steveellis6090]

Hahahaha :-)

[@darrellmay4502]

Why not try to use an Easy-out?, just screw it in the hole and as you probably know it is a left handed thread,,, so as your screwing it in,, it is actually screwing the Bullet out!,,, ( I know!, that's what she said! ),,,

[@robsmith1835]

File a flat spot on it and then drill it

[@mitchlondon8316]

Check out Darren Riley's Guitar & Amp Shop. He's got several different Fender nuts including the bullet nut from Japan. Perhaps he has what you need to replace your original. darrenriley.com/product-category/fender-parts/truss-rod-nuts/

[@DC-yb7qd]

All you needed to do was solder a 150k resistor to bullet from the choke and it would have been all good and be sure to check the phase inverter in the tuning peg

[@TheGuitologist]

But the voltage on the frets was really too high for that. I think in a situation like this, the headstock current needs to be watched very closely or you'll get runaway neck bias.

[@darrellmay4502]

So funny!,,, like beam me up after Scotie!,,,

[@grantkoeller8911]

Chrome vanadium steel is very strong!!!!

[@grantkoeller8911]

Use penetrating oil

[@FretFriendGWaL]

Chrome vanadium is hardened steel and is industry standard. I've had a similar problem with a bass recently (check my channel). Sorry buddy but you should NOT use plastic washers and there is no way you would need more than one. A 1mm washer is more than enough. Victor...

[@Scooter110]

Find a competent machinist in your area and get them to make you the correct bullet nut for your bass. It's a fairly simple job for a good machinist. Shouldn't be too expensive and will look a lot better. No way I'd put that cracked nut back on.

[@zippy3711]

Dremel can get you out of a lot of trouble. But don't pratice on an old Fender Bass. No, the nylon washers will deform and the neck will go out of ajustment

[@bluesb52]

fender sells those nuts

[@johntoland3520]

I'm in the future

[@J800613]

you can get a caliper, thread gauge and thread chart from any local or online machinist supply house for literally peanuts. W T to the fuck???

[@DeadKoby]

Another idea I had whilst watching. If your initial slot cut held the screwdriver, but needed more torque than the hand could provide, try out a screwdriver that takes a wrench on the collar or cap.

[@garymallard4699]

you can put a wrench on the stem of that style of screwdriver..it isn't round..( a vice grip works on a round one too )..

[@daviddyessii1126]

I hope that you put son anti seize on it before you put it back in..

[@user-wt3ip4bm7t]

varvar

[@thefilthygringo9228]

Stew Mac is ridiculous on there shipping because they want you to join a membership. Such a ripoff

[@stevegore4504]

Why not just order another part from someone else? That’s an ugly fix. I’m glad it’s from 4 years ago. I’m sure you know better now.

[@Savage1776_]

I don't like Stew Mac stuff!!! SHIT NEVER WORKS!!

[@patbassman8251]

You should of tried heating it up , this obsession people have with Stew Mac , they are over priced and the tools and parts are made in China anyway ,there are a lot luthier suppliers out why are people giving Stew Mac a monopoly on luthier supplies , ....Im not having a go at you by the way.

[@svajesz]

Nooooooooooooooo! Why don't you leave that job for the pros?

[@ios6605]

Dude !!!!!!! you're driving me nuts .......... get a longer screwdriver for chrissake .... preferably a craftsman

[@dean7045]

Sorry but you should have NEVER touched this guitar