Modifing a factory rod?

[Yodie]

I have a Loomis 7'4" Bronzeback spinnin rod that I LOVE. It is the best equipment purchase I have ever made (well...it and the Symetre that sits on it) BUT...there are some thing I would like different on it...nothing major, more, I guess, of some asethetic things. Such as a split rear grip with my name and a cool design on the newly exposed blank, new guides because with the ones on it the center rings keep popping out and fortunately will snap back in and last for a fe months as long as I check them after each trip...but its still a pain, I have a new Jig and Worm rod with the Rcoil guides and really like them are they made for spining gear too? The other thing I would like to have done is that I think the guides are placed kind of off..I guess is how I owuld say it...so I would like those to be replaced in a different place I think.

So how much do you guys think this would cost to have done to a factory rod (If it all can be done?)

The list of things is:

split rear grip with name and some design

new guides (RECOIL if possible)

readjusted guide placement to work with this specific blank

thanks,

Doug

a.k.a IndianaKid

[flechero]

new guides because with the ones on it the center rings keep popping out

A few more times and it won't go back in. You can warranty that for the guide. Or just have that guide replaced.

But for your list of mods... a custom rod is probably the best option. Lots of builders won't go into mods like that. (at least none that I know) It's too risky and if the blank gets broken, the builder has to eat it, plus it's twice the job to mod as it is to build fresh. Especially if you change guide locations, the rod's finish will most likely look like there used to be a guide there. You describe a custom rod, and for what you would spend in mods, you could probably have one built.

For example, I would charge you the cost of a new build and then "accidentally" break the old blank and start fresh. ;D Just kidding, I wouldn't take the old one to start with.  

At least that way you will have 2 rods you love.

[Yodie]

flechero,

I looked into this, but my problem was that Loomis doesnt sell this blank, and it is a unique blank, and length. Those are the two main reasons why I picked this over the plethora of 7' rods available today...it just "felt" different to me from the moment I picked it up and fell instantly in love with it. If I could find this blank I would easily have a custom one built on it, maybe two when I could afford it.

I guess I havent really looked at it that hard though, all I did was look on Loomis' website, would they sell me the blank if I called and talked to them about it?

[flechero]

would they sell me the blank if I called and talked to them about it?

No, at least not this year.  

That's one of the biggest complaints- Loomis only selling a part of the line up in blanks.  You do have other options...  there are other brands, blank mods, etc.  I'd suggest finding a builder in your area and having a sit down with him.  Each guy has his own set of ideas and alternate solutions.  

Plugging a 4" butt section isn't difficult...  for example, if your rod is 7'4" X-fast, you could plug a 7' fast and it would become an x-fast.  If it was a mod fast, cut down a 7'6" fast by 3 inches and use a 1" cap, etc., etc.

ReelMech had a builder lookup page he posted before, maybe he'll see this and add it for you.  I can't remember what page it was.  Guild maybe?

[dbass]

IndianaKid,

I looked into this, but my problem was that Loomis doesnt sell this blank, and it is a unique blank, and length. Those are the two main reasons why I picked this over the plethora of 7' rods available today...it just "felt" different to me from the moment I picked it up and fell instantly in love with it.

Modify this blank, make one mistake, and you are stuck with a messed up rod. Loomis will not support modifications on rack rods. Modify this rod and the feelings it had that made you pick it will change, and not necessarily for the better.

If I could find this blank I would easily have a custom one built on it, maybe two when I could afford it.

Maybe you need to check the line-ups of some of the other blank manufacturers for something close....

I guess I havent really looked at it that hard though, all I did was look on Loomis' website, would they sell me the blank if I called and talked to them about it?

I would call and see. The very worst that could happen is they say NO. You never know they might cut lose of a blank but you are likely to have to pay full retail for it.

flechero,

ReelMech had a builder lookup page he posted before, maybe he'll see this and add it for you.  I can't remember what page it was.  Guild maybe?

The list is located on the sponsor list to the left of the RBO website "Tackleworks"

Good Luck & Tight Wraps!!!  

[Bassn Blvd]

How about totally strip it down and start over.  That's the problem with factory, production rods....they place the guides in the same spot/distance on every blank of the same type. look at all your rods and you'll notice the standard distance from the tip to the next one down is about 4 inches regardless of the action or rod strength.  I've seen builders put the blank into the rod holder to start wrapping and never bend the blank to see the curve.  And these rods have 2 & 3 hundred $ price tags. All they do is break out the tape measure and measure the gaps between guides using the last rod as a template.        Cheap.  

[Yodie]

Does anyone know of a company that makes a spinning rod blank that is 7'4"? or one that isnt like fishing a noodle or a broomhandle? The reason I like this rod so much it that it has so much versatility, all the while doing everythngi WELL. I have looked at St. Croix, Batson, American soomthing or other, and Loomis blanks. None of them offer a 7' or longer rod that has the same stats (lure weight or line weight ranges) that this rod has. The shikari Blanks website seems to not be working (or my computer is messed up) so I havent been able to see what they have? Any suggestions as to where to look for a similar blank from a different company that will match the stats of this rod?

[dbass]

Loomis has a nasty habit of building rods that are proprietary to them, and not offering the blank to builders. They have been doing that for years, and even more now that Shimano® owns Loomis®....

The shikari Blanks website seems to not be working (or my computer is messed up) so I havent been able to see what they have?

Shikäri® is defunked sold to be no more, that's why the site isn't working. They were bought out by one of the Loomis brothers, and 3 partners to start ATC.

Tight Lines!!!!  

[flechero]

Does anyone know of a company that makes a spinning rod blank that is 7'4"? or one that isnt like fishing a noodle or a broomhandle?

If you will contact Andy Dear at Lamar or Robert Tignor at FishSticks4U they will help you. CTS will make custom blanks to your specs for a small up charge, which will put them about the same cost as IMX blanks and the are available in natural, or several finished colors. There were extended delivery times back in the spring but those have been resolved. (but custom work does take a few extra weeks.)

And in case you wondered- CTS blanks are fantastic!!