As this is my first-ever mandolin build, I am following Siminoff's book as much to the letter as I can. You may know that he recommends using a piece of welding rod, the peghead end threaded and the body end bent at an angle so as to seat in to the heel of the neck.
In reviewing more modern references (primarily websites and social media like Instagram) I see a lot of people using the carbon fiber rods. These seem to be straight, no bend, no thread for a nut to be placed.
My question is: Are the carbon fiber rods just easier, and that's why people use them? Does the absence of a nut sacrifice anything such as stability, tuning, etc.?
I have to admit, making and fitting that welding iron truss rod was one of the more painful and frustrating parts of this build!
Thanks for your feedback.
-Mark
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