Whos trussrod is better? LMI vs. StewMac

Linas · #1 05-30-2006, 11:19 PM

I am going to order a double action truss rod from one of these suppliers, but i was wondering if there is really any difference that would make one better than the other. For one, the stew mac one is almost $5 cheaper. Let me know which has worked better for you.

**Rodent** · #2 05-30-2006, 11:50 PM

I will know in a few weeks ...

up to present I've only used the StewMac trussrods, but I have a customer who wants a thinner neck than I can safely do with the StewMac rod, so I'm going to be testing the LMI rods (3/8" deep route vs 7/16") when they arrive later this week

all the best,

R

tjclem · #3 05-31-2006, 05:17 AM

I have used both several times. You can go thinner with the LMI and you don't need a special bit but Ido likethe spoke adjustment of the stew-mac.........t

Dirk Diggler · #4 05-31-2006, 08:44 AM

One vote for LMI, really happy with installation and working.
Dirk

Musiclogic · #5 05-31-2006, 09:47 AM

I have to say I am a big fan of the LMI rods also, but in my constant exploration, I just purchased 6 Stew Mac hot rods that I am going to use in my prototypes for this comming season. I haven't heard anything bad about them so I thought I should give them a try.

Holmann · #6 05-31-2006, 10:55 AM

I used twenty or so LMI rods many years ago (although looking at their catalog now it seems like they uesd to have a much wider variety). Of that twenty, three broke. One was returned by a customer, so I can't detail how they did it, but the two that broke in my shop did so with minimal pressure, going from completely loose to barely tight on setup day. Like I said, though, that may have been a completely different rod than what they offer now. I've gone through sixty-one stew mac rods without a problem, except for one that arrived with the adjustment nut bent 30 degrees. (stew mac claimed shipping damage, but replaced it) My only complaint is that the length of the rod can vary by as much as 1/4", so you can't make your neck blank until you have the rod for that neck in hand. I've got an order for a short scale bass at the moment, so I'm going to try the 20" rod that WD music offers.

jongor · #7 11-02-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodent

I will know in a few weeks ...

up to present I've only used the StewMac trussrods, but I have a customer who wants a thinner neck than I can safely do with the StewMac rod, so I'm going to be testing the LMI rods (3/8" deep route vs 7/16") when they arrive later this week

all the best,

R

Did you ever do this?

I want to use a headstock-end truss but don't dare use the Stewmac Hot Rod as it seems like it would be too deep.

Also, are the LMI rods single action? Does that matter?

thanks

PaleMelanesian · #8 11-02-2006, 12:25 PM

LMI rods come in both single- and double-action.

Phil Mastro · #9 11-02-2006, 12:30 PM

LMI has both single action and double action truss rods. The single acting (TRBST) go for about 16$, and the double acting ones (TRBSD) go for 23$ something. I've never used the double acting one, but the single acting one has worked fine for the 7 necks I've built.

wilser · #10 11-02-2006, 12:55 PM

I like the LMI rods mostly because of what was already said about their small footprint and readily available 1/4" router bit requirements. That in mind, they do break ...but so have some stew mac that I've installed. I feel the LMI rods are more heavy duty and will take more abuse, but they have been known to bind and break, so be sure you test the extreme adjustements before you install one. I now face having to remove a fingerboard because I failed to test it before it was installed. Thread broke while adjusting to install the frets

...they sent a replacement rather quickly, though ...I didn't even have to remove the broken one first.

lowtide · #11 11-02-2006, 01:32 PM

I just finished building a bass of all birdseye maple (45 years old) WITHOUT any trussrod at all. It sounds better than any bass I've ever played.

teej · #12 11-02-2006, 06:45 PM

Little experience here, but so far, I like the LMI rods better for reasons stated many, many times -- thinner, don't have to buy the special Stew-Mac router bit to install the Stew-Mac rods.

budman · #13 11-02-2006, 08:01 PM

Really, wils? You had an LMI rod break? I had the nut break off of a Stew-mac rod a while back. I'll never use them again. Never!

I always put the LMI rods in a vice with a little gel lube on the threads and twist them to the extremes before I install them. Hadn't lost one yet.

wilser · #14 11-02-2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by budman

Really, wils? You had an LMI rod break? I had the nut break off of a Stew-mac rod a while back. I'll never use them again. Never!

I always put the LMI rods in a vice with a little gel lube on the threads and twist them to the extremes before I install them. Hadn't lost one yet.

yes, and I lost a stew mac rod years ago as well. I always lube my LMI rods, and always adjusted before installing, but for this one for some reason I missed it. I made that part of my check list from that moment. LMI said the failure rate of their rod is 1/20th of 1/10th ...whatever that means.

Phil Mailloux · #15 11-02-2006, 10:11 PM

I hear that the double action ones from allied lutherie are quite nice too. If you buy 12 or more they come out to $7.50 each too. That's my plan for next time I buy some rods.

FBB Custom · #16 11-03-2006, 09:54 AM

I've lost one of each and both times I swore "never again"!

I find that the Stew Mac ones always turn freely when you get them. There are ways for any rod to fail in service (even if it turns freely when you get it) but when I was using the LMI rods they were often tight to start out, which I did not like.

erikbojerik · #17 11-03-2006, 11:01 AM

Huh....bass truss rods are a new one for Allied. When I checked a year ago, all they had were rods for guitars (which I have used without issue).

**Rodent** · #18 11-04-2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jongor

Did you ever do this?

I want to use a headstock-end truss but don't dare use the Stewmac Hot Rod as it seems like it would be too deep.

Also, are the LMI rods single action? Does that matter?

thanks

yes, I just forgot to post a follow-up

I do like the LMI rods due to their lighter weight and shallower slot, and they have become my choice when utilizing a hex nut adjustment. If I was utilizing a headstock end adjustment (which I don't), I would definitely be looking at the LMI rods over the StewMac - all related to the design and depth.

One style of neck I make utilizes a spoke wheel adjustment, and for this application the StewMac is my preference. It definitely weighs more, but that is accounted for in the single-cut design.

all the best,

R

Dusty G · #19 11-04-2006, 05:02 PM

I haven't broken either one, but the LMI's seem so much more rugged.

jimmy ray · #20 11-12-2006, 09:45 AM

Can the LMI double action rods take a straight channel like the stew-mac double action "hot-rods"?