I think carrot stick guy might have a point. I build a few rods here and there. One thing I've done is research ergonomics, guide layouts, stadic testing, and weight to death. These factors in my opinion are as important as the brand of blank in terms of a rods intended use and performance.
If you took blanks from gloomis and other top tier manufactures and they had the same type of characteristics based on a common sense measurement system. Outfitted them with the same guide train and layout. I'm talking down to a half millimeter and 1/00 of an ounce. Would one rise heads and tails above the other?
I don't know. Off the small Sampling of this forum I think it would be a tough call.
Op your concern for counterfeit rods is valid in this day in age is a true concern. Like mentioned a few pages back; calling the manufacture is your best bet.