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Hey all...

What is the going consensus about having to route and install carbon fiber rods in the neck? Is it a good thing overall, or does it make it too stiff for truss rod adjustment later? If you're using them, do you use two--one on either side of the truss rod?

Also...which truss rod are folks getting good results with? Anyone have experience with the hot rod from StewMac?

Thanks!

Tj

I don't like the hot rod . I will be honest in that CF is great at making a neck stiff , it isn't needed with a good neck and a good truss rod . I am using the same truss rod that Martin is using and find it to be as good as what it out there in 2 way rods .
I have had the Hot Rod fail and also the one from LMI. If I use CF it is rare and often used as a non adjustable rod. When I do use them I like to install them in line with the neck taper . I think this makes for a more warp resistant neck as the angle creates more of a truss effect

John,
I have used the LMI rods, and I have a Hot Rod to try this time, I'm going to put in the current guitar. What is the Martin rod? Is it the square aluminum box? Can you put up a pic?
Thanks.

Kevin

I have a pic on my website . The old Martin rod was the Alum channel The new 2 way design is pretty stout in design. After having a hot rod fail I tested the ones I could fine , LMI Stew Mac and Martin . The weak part of the designs that failed was the silver solder of the barrel nut on the rod , The rod snapped right behind the weld as the metal was over heated and made brittle .
I tried and never got a martin rod to fail . That is why I use them . Gemini has a new design for a CF rod that is a D shape and adds a good bit of stiffness and little weight. It is non adjustable and needs compression fretting. I like the way Rick described using the CF. I have used that on older martins with the ebony neck support with success .

What is the length of that rod John?
I like the price!

Kevin

Here are photos of one way and two way truss rods from Blues Creek. The one way is 16", but I don't see specs for the two way. It is for a 14 fret neck, so I'd assume it's around 16" as well.

http://www.bluescreekguitars.com/shop/i ... ucts_id=26

http://www.bluescreekguitars.com/shop/i ... cts_id=128

I think the major complaint about the hotrod trussrod is that they require a fairly deep slot (7/16"), which can compromise the neck... especially if you use headstock access.


Unfortunately, I bought several of them before I knew about this. I think these will go on ebay. I'm going to stick with the LMI or Allied rods I think.

So does anyone have a recommendation for a 12-fret truss rod? All I could find is the hot-rod specifically designed for the 12-fret. I think it measures 13".

I have used the double action 13" truss rod from LMI (http://WWW.LMII.com), for my 12 fret parlor guitars. They seem well made and are the perfect size for the 12 fret 24.9" scale guitars I make.

we do have 12 fret 2 way necks available at Blues Creek .