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!
