re: Let's talk high-end bass rods ($150+)

Any of you know anything about the Shimano Intenza line?

My last 2 rods have been custom made from Swampland in Lafayette. They're reasonably priced and I was able to pick everything out.

How much is a gloomis blank?

So how much for a gloomis NRX equivalent rod by the time it is built? That is assuming you can buy an NRX equivalent blank.

I got 15 Falcon’s cara and lowriders pre China. I like them. The guides go bad I replace them.
Do have one Falcon Peacock bass rod I use for spinnerbaits and topwater in the spillway. I like the rod.

I got a few old Allstars which I have not even changed the guides. Nope not giving up the worm rod.

Then I build some with MHX, old Allstar blanks, and Rainshadow.

Some blanks I am starting to like north fork composites. Got some unsanded Delta’s. Blanks $40 and by the time I bought the materials I am around $80.
Once I built them one feels like an old Allstar Worm Rod.

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So how much for a gloomis NRX equivalent rod by the time it is built? That is assuming you can buy an NRX equivalent blank.

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Shimano doesn't sell the loomis blanks direct, but most seem to agree that the NFC Xray blanks and the Point Blank rod blanks are on the same level as NRX.

Most of the time the NFC Xrays can be had for $125ish or less and the Point Blanks are around $150.

The same premium components used on the NRX probably run you in the $150 ballpark. So $300 in materials without any special sales, etc...

If you're patient, you can pay about $60 for the xrays and then get 20% off on your components, so you'd be in it about $180 total I think.

I haven't priced out the NRX components individually, but my normal build is around $90 in components and the difference in guide costs alone to an NRX build would kick it to the $150 ballpark.

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I'm trash and use Berkley cherry wood and lightning . I can get four for $ 150 .

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Shakespeare has never let me down before

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So your time and effort have to be worth a little something and when you account for that it seems like you would save roughly 33-40% off of nrx retail. It is a decent little chunk, but not an earth shattering amount of money. It might be a fun hobby though. My dad and grandpa both did it when I was little. Some of the rods they wrapped are still around.

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Don't start making your own rods to save money. I think thats a fools errand. The equipment, misc expenses, and time involved don't make a lot of financial sense. But it's fun and addicting for sure.

You obviously know way more about rods than I do but I won a couple Denali rods as door prizes. I love the feel of both.

Denali N3. 7’8” extra heavy flippin and a 7’ med heavy.

We have a local store that carries Denali. I wanted to check them out in person, as there's a guy on bbc selling a bunch. There was something I just didn't like about them. The balance and feel just wasn't what I prefer.