Gretsch Country Gentleman with Truss rod adjustment at the neck/body joint??

[John Gill-Resch Gill-Resch Guitars]

Here’s a couple more photos with the serial number and a full body shot.

[D. Paul Lampley II]

That’s a Baldwin Era Burns Gear Box, which used a specialty adjustment tool. You may be able to find one used, but who knows. I know Burns Guitars sold them at some point as well.

I don’t know the specs to say for sure, but I bet you could find an “acoustical eye lag driver” or wing nut driver that might do it. Another option is cutting a slot through some appropriately sized all thread rod and use a jam nut to adjust it. Here’s some links for reference:

https://www.mimf.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=5183

http://www.burnsguitars.com/images/detail_trussrod.jpg

[Ian Davlin The Looth Group]

It also might be an old Gretsch drum key.

[John Gill-Resch Gill-Resch Guitars]

This is 100% more information than before. I’ll see what I can come up with for an adjustment tool and update the thread. Thanks for the help!!

[Dave Staudte (rhymms with "Howdy") NB Guitar Repair (New Braunfels, TX)]

Glad some info is coming your way. All I can say is, try to lube it up somehow and I would start by loosening before tightening without any string tension. Maybe even clamp it up on blocks to force backbow into it before tightening. I say this because….these are easily broken. Don’t ask me how I know this 🙁

[John Gill-Resch Gill-Resch Guitars]

Ouch…I won’t ask! This guitar actually has too much back bow and needs to be loosened, so that could be a plus. Will definitely still be proceeding with caution 😅