Best Quality DA Truss Rod?

[Gilmourisgod]

I used BBG DA rods on my two last builds. The first one worked fine, the second had a sloppy adjuster nut, a little too loose for 4mm and too tight for 5mm, which makes me think the QC isnt great on these. Im trying to find a 4.5mm hex, or maybe just file down a 5mm, but I shouldn't have to. The blue plastic wrapped rods are common on a lot of sites, they look identical, but I dont know if quality varies by manufacturer. They average $15-20.
Bass Truss Rod - Best Bass Gear


Stewmac products are pretty universally good quality, but I loathe their deceptive "Free Shipping" claims on Amazon. They sell their "low profile" rods for $12 plus $10 shipping on their site and.....you guessed it, $22 with "free shipping" on Amazon.
Amazon.com : stewmac low profils trussrod 24"&ref=nb_sb_noss
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rods/stewmac-red-low-profile-truss-rod.html

They also make the "Hot Rod" versions with threaded brass blocks at both ends. These look very well made, but require a special router bit to cut the slots for (which they sell separately, of course) These look like they require a lot more wood removal than the low profile rods.
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Then there are the DA rods by Luthiers Mercantile and Allied Luthiery. They are the most expensive of the lot, the question is, are they worth the extra cost?
Truss rod double action welded, 22 3/4" x 3/8" (overall length 23 3/4")

FlexStrong Dual-Action Bass Truss Rods


Since the repair for a broken or stripped truss rod is so onerous, truss rods seem like the one place NOT to cheap out. What's the collective and Pro opinion on the available options, whats the best bang/buck? I dont mind paying more for something truly better quality, but like most amateur builders, I feel like I've overpaid for mediocre products just because they feature the word "Luthier".

 

[chinjazz]

I used BBG DA rods on my two last builds. The first one worked fine, the second had a sloppy adjuster nut, a little too loose for 4mm and too tight for 5mm, which makes me think the QC isnt great on these. Im trying to find a 4.5mm hex, or maybe just file down a 5mm, but I shouldn't have to. The blue plastic wrapped rods are common on a lot of sites, they look identical, but I dont know if quality varies by manufacturer. They average $15-20.
Bass Truss Rod - Best Bass Gear


Stewmac products are pretty universally good quality, but I loathe their deceptive "Free Shipping" claims on Amazon. They sell their "low profile" rods for $12 plus $10 shipping on their site and.....you guessed it, $22 with "free shipping" on Amazon.
Amazon.com : stewmac low profils trussrod 24"&ref=nb_sb_noss
Invalid Link Removed
rods/stewmac-red-low-profile-truss-rod.html

They also make the "Hot Rod" versions with threaded brass blocks at both ends. These look very well made, but require a special router bit to cut the slots for (which they sell separately, of course) These look like they require a lot more wood removal than the low profile rods.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Then there are the DA rods by Luthiers Mercantile and Allied Luthiery. They are the most expensive of the lot, the question is, are they worth the extra cost?
Truss rod double action welded, 22 3/4" x 3/8" (overall length 23 3/4")

FlexStrong Dual-Action Bass Truss Rods


Since the repair for a broken or stripped truss rod is so onerous, truss rods seem like the one place NOT to cheap out. What's the collective and Pro opinion on the available options, whats the best bang/buck? I dont mind paying more for something truly better quality, but like most amateur builders, I feel like I've overpaid for mediocre products just because they feature the word "Luthier".

I’ve had good results with bitterrooots guitar. Basically the two way 24” truss rod. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Seem to be the same product you find elsewhere on Amazon, Ebay, BBG.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I suspect those are all made in the same Chinese factory, using the same blue shrink-wrap, I've been hesitant about rolling the dice again. The BBG rod with the sloppy hex key fit went into the walnut Hossenfeffer II build. I'm worried the hex head will strip out eventually. Guess who owns that one if it does?
Its possible I got a lemon, but if the higher priced rods are worth the money, I'll invest in some piece of mind. What are other builders using?

 

[Means2nEnd]

I have had truss rod issues in the past with build's I bought and with ones I have made. I had used the Bitter Root blue vinyl covered truss rods and never actually had a problem with any of them other than sloppy welds. I do feel the low profile SM rods are superior to the Bitter Root the cost goes accordingly.

I am not one to skimp on materials I don't build a lot but what I do I try and do the best I can afford. Also with PTTD post traumatic truss rod disorder from breaking one in the past I buy them now from Allied Lutherie. Specifically the FlexStrong Dual-Action rods in different configurations but always I get them with the T-Bar. I like the idea of the stress spread across a wider surface area for thinner necks for sure. Also with the braze welds the truss rods are ultra clean and just amazing quality. The biggest reason besides the quality and the confidence I have knowing the only internal mechanical devise and most important as well as a PITA to fix is of super high quality is that I am supporting a small high end luthier dudes who makes them by hand one at a time. No place in my mind to try and save $20 and a great way to support other craftsman like ourselves. If I don't support these creative people they won't have the funds to continue on and we will be left with mass produced low p & q junk.

Unfortunately to me the greatest advancements in building come out of the small independent shops and they operate on a shoe string and now with the state of things I am supporting the small guy more than ever when I can or they just dry up and blow away. A huge loss in many ways. Didn't mean to get all philosophical about a darn truss rod but I did right there sorry ha!

 

[chinjazz]

@Means2nEnd - Now those are top shelf truss rods! Nice!!

 

[dwizum]

I've bought 25 of the bitterroot dual action rods and put maybe 15 of them in basses and guitars in the last two years and I've been happy with them. I haven't had any with a bad hex key fit, none have broken, and they all fit like they should in the right sized slot. They're also dirt cheap - you can buy a 5 pack of the bass sized rods on their site for $38. If you use coupon code GAL20 you get 20% off, so they're $6 each, more or less. Over $100 and shipping is free! Bitterroot also sells a "two way" version that has a big shroud over the adjustment nut and needs a bigger channel, so I avoid it now - I ordered two by accident once and they've been fine, I just don't like the bigger channel. At one point bitterroot had a separate part number on their website for a rod with a black shrink wrap, I emailed them and asked what the difference was and he told me they were exactly the same, but he got a discount buying them because they were leftovers from another vendor's custom order. That seems to confirm your theory that all these little guitar parts vendors are getting them from the same place.

I've also used two LMI truss rods. One of them broke. It was definitely under tension when it broke, but not THAT much tension. I was very surprised, since LMI tends to make very high quality products, and I know lots of people have had good luck with their truss rods. Mine broke right at the weld between the little end block and the square rod.

Since breaking the LMI rod I've made a habit of working any truss rod back and forth a few times, out of the neck, to make sure it adjusts smoothly and there aren't any weak welds. I suspect my broken LMI rod was just a lemon and if I'd done this to it before installing I would have caught it and gotten a replacement from them.

 

[Freekmagnet]

I always used the LMI rods and just recently started using the Bitterroot rods. Supposedly, the LMI rods are USA made. However, the Bitterroot rods seem to be almost exactly the same rod except they’re a third of the price of the LMI rods.

I haven’t noticed the hex nut being sloppy. It seems to fit an SAE Allen key. I don’t remember the size offhand.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

@Means2nEnd
The Allied Luthier rod makes mention of being able to use a thinner neck profile with the T profile. I’ve been leaving 3/16” between the bottom of rod and back of neck as a minimum safe distance to avoid sanding through, but I’ve heard people cheat that to 1/8”. Does the T rod allow you hold that real tight tolerance? I like the thinnest profile I can get away with without compromising the neck. I’ve been adding 2 CF rods either side of the trussrod to stiffen it too.

 

[rudy4444]

The last couple builds I've done have been using LMI rods and I like them a lot. They are more expensive, but the shipping is free if you get a couple of them.

You can see an example of their use in my last "Short Scale P Bass" build, stating with post #29.

Building A Short Scale P Bass

I used the other in a slot head acoustic guitar. One thing I liked about both of these builds was it only required a straight through 1/4" route. The slot head acoustic adjusts from the head stock end and the bass by way of access pocket at the heel end of the neck. They were configured so the rods could be easily removed and replaced should it ever become necessary.

The LMI instructions specifically state that the rod MUST to be tested in both directions before installation. I think the StewMac Hot Rod instruction sheet has the same precaution featured prominently.

 

[JKos]

Seems like a silly item to try to save a few bucks on. It's a critical item that can cause so much trouble when it doesn't work properly. Go for quality.

 

[Means2nEnd]

Gilmourisgod... yes the truss rod is not only pushing against the inside bottom of the t rod cannel but also the "T" wings if cut to fit perfect bear the load as well increasing the surface area 3 fold on each end.

 

[Huw Phillips]

Bitteroot for me too, BBG sent me one in a piece of paper bent to ....

 

[BassToGoGo]

Glad too see this because I have been putting a lot of thought into truss rods lately. My biggest issue is thatI use several different lengths. Bitterroot is one of the few that offers such options and the price is hard to beat. I've been fortunate not to have had an issue with any brand truss rod (yet).

Allied Lutherie's rods look great. Their Flexstrong Single Action Rod has me intrigued; installed correctly it can be removed and reinstalled upside down to adjust concave or convex bowing.

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[rudy4444]

Glad too see this because I have been putting a lot of thought into truss rods lately. My biggest issue is thatI use several different lengths. Bitterroot is one of the few that offers such options and the price is hard to beat. I've been fortunate not to have had an issue with any brand truss rod (yet).

Allied Lutherie's rods look great. Their Flexstrong Single Action Rod has me intrigued; installed correctly it can be removed and reinstalled upside down to adjust concave or convex bowing.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

LMI DA rods can be custom ordered at no additional cost at any length you specify.

The Allied Lutherie's rods are specified to be .28" wide. That, in combination with the fully coated rod seems that it would be more problematic to route for the rod being easily removed. Their website needs a little proof-reading... weight is specified as 11 ounces per inch!

• Very light weight....11 ounces/Inch

 

[Arie X]

best one would be one that you make yourself. other then that though, i seem to like the lmi rods for now.

 

[John_Nicholas]

Since the repair for a broken or stripped truss rod is so onerous, truss rods seem like the one place NOT to cheap out. What's the collective and Pro opinion on the available options, whats the best bang/buck? I dont mind paying more for something truly better quality, but like most amateur builders, I feel like I've overpaid for mediocre products just because they feature the word "Luthier".

This is a very timely post and got me thinking. In the past I've used both Bitterroot and All Parts truss rods. There were a few left in my tool box so I grabbed them and took a couple of photos.

@dwizum The Bitterroot has the Blue covers and the All Parts have the black.

Just an aside, a few years back I set up a dealer account with All Parts, to save money on parts for all my builds. It was basically a 50% discount off of the list price... since they sold the company, I'm not sure if my dealer account is still active.

While you can see that these rods were most likely made in the same factory, they are slightly different.

Hopefully the images will help someone.

The Allied Luthierie truss rods look absolutely fabulous and These are the ones I will buy for my build. Although I'm not sure about the T Rod, because you have to remove more material in the headstock area. Not sure this is a good idea. Which is why all the necks I build with truss rod access at the headstock are built with a volute. Just to ensure the neck stays strong in this area.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

This is a very timely post and got me thinking. In the past I've used both Bitterroot and All Parts truss rods. There were a few left in my tool box so I grabbed them and took a couple of photos.

Thanks for the clear, detailed pictures! As a "college educated welder" (best couple of classes I took at college, even if they had to be "free electrives") those do not instill confidence (major stress concentrations, visible cracks in some.)

 

[John_Nicholas]

Thanks for the clear, detailed pictures! As a "college educated welder" (best couple of classes I took at college, even if they had to be "free electrives") those do not instill confidence (major stress concentrations, visible cracks in some.)

My dad was a professional welder in the late 60's through retirement. He would have thrown these things in the trash!

One other difference in the two brands, the All Parts block on the nut side is tiny!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Yeah, I remember I had to file a few burrs off the welds on the BBG rods to fit in the slot, and was a little nervous about it. I have to make up my mind in the next couple weeks to keep going.

 

[Slidlow]

The best I have ever seen were these titanium rods from KTS. Sadly they stopped making them.