What about a 2-56 fully threaded that is sleeved in carbon tube JB Welded on? They seem pretty rigid despite being fully threaded, and on the test batch I made, they were lighter than 4-40, and they certainly are easier to set up while eliminating a Z-bend. I decided to try this on my Funtana, I had extra threaded rods that I normally don't use, and though "what the heck!." there is no visible wire, just carbon tube with Dubro ball links at each end.