Banjo Hangout Logo
Banjo Hangout Logo

Premier Sponsors


May 23, 2026 - 3:17:34 PM
17544 posts since 6/2/2008

Question says it.

The fretboard on the 90s RB250 neck in my parts banjo is perfectly flat. I want to introduce some relief to try to clear up rattle that has developed, especially on the open G and first few frets. 

The one truss rod tool I have that works on the 70s neck in another banjo seems to be too big for the nut on this neck's truss rod. Doesn't feel like it grabs the nut. I know the rods are different: 70s were one-way/single action; 90s two-way/double action.

If I had nut drivers, I could just test until I found the size. But I don't.

So what size does this truss rod nut take?

Thanks.

Funny I haven't heard any rattle up to now. Don't know if it just developed. Or I'm hearing it exaggerated because I was playing with my hearing aids in. With the aids out I don't hear it as much.

May 23, 2026 - 3:23:59 PM
likes this

640 posts since 7/24/2021

If you use a nut driver I think 1/4 . Or is it for an Allen wrench ?

May 23, 2026 - 3:48:44 PM

17544 posts since 6/2/2008

quote:
Originally posted by Will Frady

If you use a nut driver I think 1/4 . Or is it for an Allen wrench ?


Nut driver on this.

1/4 is making sense. I'm pretty sure the one I have is 5/16. Seems I said that in a Hangout thread years ago. But the nut on this one being 1/16 smaller would explain why this tool isn't grabbing.

The only 1/4-inch socket I have is too small to fit in the cavity. So I just need to order an actual truss rod tool, which I'd expect to be narrow profile.

Thanks.

May 23, 2026 - 4:06:22 PM
likes this

640 posts since 7/24/2021

Best of luck .

May 25, 2026 - 9:18:11 AM

17544 posts since 6/2/2008

It is indeed 1/4-inch.

All it took was a very slight counter-clockwise turn to kill the rattle. I haven't bothered to measure the relief. Using the third string as a straight edge (depressed at 1st and 17th frets) I can see there's a little clearance in the 5th to 8th fret are now, where the string was laying on all frets before. The relief is so slight I feel no difference in my fretting hand.

Don't really know where the rattle came from. I bought this neck in the fall and I think I've had it assembled in a banjo since November. It sounded great until Friday.

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

And where I earlier said: "The only 1/4-inch socket I have is too small to fit in the cavity"  I think I meant too "big" to fit in the cavity.  Its outside diameter was too fat.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)

Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.





Hangout Network Help

View All Topics  |  View Categories

0.1875