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I have installed a half dozen truss rods, all but 1 with the adjusting nut at the heel of the neck. I prefer the aesthetic and convenience when the adjustment is at the peghead. The one I did required a slot deeper than 3/8" under the nut, I wasn't too keen on how little wood was left in the thickness of the neck after the truss rod slot was cut. The last few I've used the stew mac hot rod, I did not like the peghead adjust install, and there rod has a bulbous shape for the last 2" due to the size of the adjusting nut. The LMI model seems sensitive 1/4 x 3/8, a simple rectangle in cross section and common dimensions (no odd size router bearing needed).

Also, wondering about the best method to drill or rout the access recess for the peghead install, is the piloted router bit necessary, or are there shop made alternatives?

Finally, the one I did at the peghead was on a tele with flat peghead, so the access hole can be drilled freehand. I wold like to do what Fender does and have a dark perimeter ring where that access hole is (that is it is multi colored. I presume an oversize hold is drilled, filled with a walnut dowel and the the regular hole is drilled thru that dowel (perfectly centred). Seeking a good method to do this.

Thanks so much.

the hot rod is a disaster waiting to happen i have had them fail so I stopped using them
in your best interest these can be made and look at the design of gibson as a tension rod.

as a machinist the welding of a barrel nut to a threaded rod is not a good idea.
I for one am not a fan of the headstock for a truss rod as this creates a weak point for a stress riser. Still if you want to do this here are some things to look for
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-a ... 10QAvD_BwE

The best truss rods I've found are the FlexStrong truss rods from Allied Lutherie: https://alliedlutherie.com/collections/ ... truss-rods
They're more expensive, but the quality of construction is superb.

they look good too I use the martin style similar design

I use the Martin style 2-way from Bitterroot. I've not had any failures.