Official Luthiers Forum!

I've used the Mark Blanchard designed 2-way rod formerly from Allied exclusively for the last 6 years. I know they had some issues with contract fabrication, but I never had any negative experiences and I really like the design and function. Among other changes introduced by Allied over the last year, I see they've dropped the Blanchard design for a new rod from Mike Gutsch.

I still have some 14-fret rods, but I'm needing to restock the shorter and longer lengths.

I haven't seen any discussion here and wondered if anyone has experience with this new Gutsch rod from Alllied? In what ways is it different, or the same, as the Blanchard design?

I have the option to go directly to Mark Blanchard in the future, even if his pricing is on the high side, and might just do that.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Tim, I just received one. I usually use the Martin 2-way rods but needed a custom length. The rod looks to be well built but I have not installed it yet. It's different from the old Allied rod; the metal ends are longer, induction brazed instead of welded, and it is only threaded on one end. I haven't used any Blanchards so cannot comment.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Thanks for the info, Steve. Threaded on only one end would be a radical change from the Blanchard design that uses threads at each end with different pitch, requiring more turns for adjustment (a good thing, IMHO). Nice to at least hear from someone who has seen these, so thanks for the reply!

Having a hard time understanding how this T/R can be two way if it is only threaded at one end...
I used the Blanchard rod for lots of guitars and for $40. I had no complaints at all about the price considering how well they worked.

The mechanical movement is the same as the old Allied Rod. One end rotates with a fixed collar and the other end is threaded. Thread is in the middle of its travel when the rod is neutral so the ends can be pushed apart or pulled together, i.e. Two-way rod.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

You're certainly correct Steve in referring to this push-pull mechanical action making the adjustment "two-way", but how the designs achieve this is really quite different.

By your description, the new Allied rod uses a thread on one end, while the other end is "captured". By comparison, The LMII rod uses opposite threads at either end. The patented Blanchard design uses same-direction threads at either end, but one is finer than the other. This gives the rod a much finer adjustment and greater mechanical advantage -- a stroke of genius that I appreciate. I recommend anyone wanting a better description to G*ogle Blanchard's 2009 patent, US 7507887 B1

No doubt the reputation of rod failures associated with some of Allied's previous contract fabrication of the Blanchard design hurt their rod sales, and I can understand their motivation to change the product offering.

Like Haans, feel the Blanchard design is far superior, so in future I'll gladly buy my rods directly from Mark.

BTW, I have a half dozen of the LMII two-way rods that I'll happily sell or swap with someone, as I'll not use them in my instruments.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I also like the Blanchard design. It was convenient and quick to get the custom length from Allied along with some other items I needed. I could have ordered a Blanchard custom length for just a few dollars more but have never dealt with him and didn't know how long it would take. Jury is still out on how well the new Allied rod will adjust but I expect it will work just fine - as long as it doesn't break although personally, I never had any problems with the earlier versions.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

JMHO of course, but $40 is an awful lot for a truss rod. That's not a knock on the Blanchard design which I think is very good, but really... there are so many rabbit holes to go down with lutherie... why choose the ones that have literally millions of affordable, effective, and trouble-free examples out in the wild?

FWIW I have gotten truss rods from Mark before and it seems like it only took about a week. That said, I now make my own one-way Cumpiano style rods that I pre-load so they act more like a two-way rod. The nice part is no welds.

_________________
Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com