custom made rods are like custom made coats. it is supposed to fit your style of fishing it was intended for.
on the topic of price, i would pay good money for a custom rod.
if u know what u are buying, then u will pay for that small advantage. sometimes, ignorance is bliss!! hahaha
the custom rodbuilding scene here is quite limited where equipments are taken into account. sure we can get the reel seats, guides, threads, EVA/Cork, blanks… but those are very ‘mainstream’ products… i.e to repair broken guides, damaged reel seats etc
the idea about customizing rods is about individuality, exceptionality, exclusivity. certain reel seats are not readily available, certain guide patterns are not readily available. that is a big letdown. we are left to the internet for postal orders from Mudhole, Matagi, Jann’s Netcraft etc etc
imagine this:
the price of a set of Fuji SiC Guides (for BC or spinning) for the rods can cost anywhere from RM100-150. depending on the trim/color/material of the reel seat, it may vary. titanium-framed SiC guides cost another 30-50% more. and we haven’t gone to the Gold Cermet guides yet!
some may think that SiCs are great, but if u are looking for lighter applications, Fuji’s Titanium-framed Alconite guides are a better trade off as they are lighter and equally on par. ooops,digressed a lil’.
then come the Fuji reel seats which cost anywhere from rm 20 and above depending on type… regular ones like DPS cost from rm20-40, ACS from rm25-40, TCS from rm 20-30. sometimes, even old models like the IPS are not even available, let alone the new VSS reel seats. the local importer for fuji rodbuilding components dare not import these items because the local demand is not met. who wants to bring in a hundred of these stuffs just because one person needs one or two? that would be counterproductive to their business, is what i have been told. i’ve actually been advised to buy off the internet. save them the hassle, and faster too!
so far, the maths come upto RM 200 for the reel seats and guides alone (rough figure)
and now the blanks.
if u want to build a custom rod, make sure the blank is worth building on, either by reputation or actually tried the intended rod blank before.
everyone has their own views of the ‘ultimate’ blank, so no point debating here. i haven’t been playing with G.Loomis rods yet, so i cannot really comment. the St. Croix SC III and the SC IV are wonderful blanks i must say. i cannot really put a price on a blank coz of individual preferences. let’s just agree on a price of RM400.
it is now RM 600 (200+400)
disposables:
wrapping thread, 2-part rod building epoxy, brush for epoxy application, EVA/cork grips, winding checks, decals, pen for writing, lathe machine for turning grips</font id=“red”>, masking tape/graphite arbor for reel seat fitting…acryllic paint for blank colour, rod drying motor</font id=“red”>, alcohol torch for smoothening epoxy coats… man the list goes on!
let’s charge rm 50 for all those…assuming u already have the tools highlighted in red!
finally, how much do u think is appropriate for the rodbuilder to charge you for his time, skill and workmanship?
materials alone already around 500-600 (plus minus lahhh), excluding labour charges.
some are able to adjust on the price by compromising on certain items like Alconite guides, less expensive blanks etc.
so there u have it, the ‘physical’ attributes of a custom rod. the ‘spiritual’ part to it u have to experience it yourself. when u have something tailored to ur specifications, and it performs as expected… it’s a bliss!
p/s: although i build my own rods (and take pride in using them too!), i also have my arsenal of ‘standard’ rods on my rack which i use regularly, and loathe them as much as the custom ones!
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