Need help with truss rod wrench

[Nico_renard]

Hi there, I'm considering buying a local used 2001 Corvette 5 and could notnfind the right key to check the truss rod yesterday!
I ordered a tool on Amazon this morning, but maybe you could tell me what to use based on the attached picture?
Thanks, hope I can confidently buy the bass in the next few days!
Cheers,
Nicolas

 

[Hector]

Hello Nico,

Normally a Warwick truss rod tool is an hex key / imbus ball end like you see here:

Framus & Warwick - Trussrodtool

5 mm hexkey for trussrod, 2,5 mm hexkey for bridge adjustment screws of Warwick e-basses

shop.warwick.de

In the photo that you posted, what should be the facets that the hey key / imbus should fit in look worn out...

I could be wrong... Maybe other, more knowledgeable Warwick bass owners can reply ?

 

[DiMarco]

Yes it's worn out, probably by a previous owner not using the correct size key.

Proper fix would be replacing the trussrod which means $$$ if it isn't one of the older replaceable truss rods.

Macgyver solution is using a dremel tool and attempting to make that bit accept a large screwdriver to turn it.

 

[Hector]

Yes it's worn out, probably by a previous owner not using the correct size key.

Proper fix would be replacing the trussrod which means $$$ if it isn't one of the older replaceable truss rods.

Macgyver solution is using a dremel tool and attempting to make that bit accept a large screwdriver to turn it.

So, in other words, do not buy this bass....

 

[Nico_renard]

So, in other words, do not buy this bass....

I ordered a few tools of Amazon and will give it a try but yes, it doesn't look good.
Not sure if the buyer is/was aware,the told me he hasn't touched the bass in 20 years...and price is more than right (600€).
Thanks to both of you for the inputs!

 

[Hector]

I ordered a few tools of Amazon and will give it a try but yes, it doesn't look good.
Not sure if the buyer is/was aware,the told me he hasn't touched the bass in 20 years...and price is more than right (600€).
Thanks to both of you for the inputs!

Honestly, I would not buy this bass if I were you.

With that much damage to the truss rod head, you currently have no way of knowing if the truss rod even works.

At that low of a price, I highly doubt he did not know. If you look here, you can see what a used German-made (not RockBass) Corvette costs in Germany: Musikinstrumente und Zubehör gebraucht kaufen | kleinanzeigen.de

 

[Nico_renard]

Honestly, I would not buy this bass if I were you.

With that much damage to the truss rod head, you currently have no way of knowing if the truss rod even works.

At that low of a price, I highly doubt he did not know. If you look here, you can see what a used German-made (not RockBass) Corvette costs in Germany: Musikinstrumente und Zubehör gebraucht kaufen | kleinanzeigen.de

You are right, I shouldn't buy it
I might check this one out instead: Warwick Corvette Proline 4, Baujahr 1994

 

[Hector]

You are right, I shouldn't buy it
I might check this one out instead: Warwick Corvette Proline 4, Baujahr 1994

That looks nicer.

His description says it is in good condition, just make sure the frets are ok, this bass is 32 years old after all !

Do you have a right to return it in Germany if it is not as described ?

 

[Hardy]

Honestly, I would not buy this bass if I were you.

With that much damage to the truss rod head, you currently have no way of knowing if the truss rod even works.

At that low of a price, I highly doubt he did not know. If you look here, you can see what a used German-made (not RockBass) Corvette costs in Germany: Musikinstrumente und Zubehör gebraucht kaufen | kleinanzeigen.de

I totally agree. He knew it. I always check two things when I buy a Warwick with a volute neck:
1. Is the truss rod worn out?
2. Is the neck twisted?

When I buy a non volute Warwick it is different:
1. Is the neck twisted?
2. Has the neck cracks near the headstock.

If I even have an idea that one answer could be "Yes" I don´t buy it. All other things are easy to fix but not these.

 

[Nico_renard]

That looks nicer.

His description says it is in good condition, just make sure the frets are ok, this bass is 32 years old after all !

Do you have a right to return it in Germany if it is not as described ?

Not from a private seller through classifieds unfortunately. I may go and check it out. Cheers!