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In reply to Post #44
Just had a quote from a good rod builder that I know . I've seen a lot of his work and it is excellent. The price comes in about £140 more than the factory builds over the three rods . I thought that was pretty good .
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In reply to Post #37
Understatement of the year, frustrating when you call about 40 times to no answer, about the same amount of emails too.
Never again, workmanship was great no doubt but everything else - forget it.
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In reply to Post #42
Thanks for the reply . The model I've been looking at would need to be made by free spirits custom service - currently 16 weeks which to be honest wouldn't bother me as I fish a lot less through the winter .
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In reply to Post #41
Did JR's not tell you they hold some stock of both cork an full duplon handled Hi-S rods? The Tackle Box also offer them from stock. All obviously contingent on them having them of course. But if it's just the cork handle you want and the rest of the rod is standard build, you could have some very quickly. I no fan of cork on carp rods, but did have three custom Free Spirit 11ft S Pike rods built by Vic Gibson via Johnson Ross - I didn't like the handle length, dodgy inscription (looked like someone was pissed when they wrote it) and the really crap ring spacing on the standard rod. Paid a little extra for them and they took 8 weeks. But very happy with the build quality.
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In reply to Post #40
Thanks for the replies . To add a further twist I have been in contact with Johnson Ross who were quite up front in saying that they have had issues regarding standard builds in the past and make sure that all rods match when bought as a set . Also adding that free spirit only make abbreviated handles as stock rods . As I'm looking at cork handles these would be made through free spirits custom made service . Therefore these would be made as a set eliminating this mix and match problem .
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In reply to Post #9
Sorry , I have fished one or two venues where its become a fashion parade, and I like my solitude 
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In reply to Post #35
Second that, my friend had a v frustrating time with them, to put it mildly.
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In reply to Post #37
Possibly on wait times. I can only talk from my own experience with Tom. Yes they can be difficult to get hold of at times, but I was in no rush for the marker rod and I let them know that. Probably the most helpful bloke I have ever dealt with tbh.
To the OP, if you want some advice on building your own, drop me a PM. I'm in no way a professional and have only done my own rods which took me ages! Obviously professional builders would do it much quicker, but it did make me think how they can make a living doing it. I made myself rod supports and turners using disco ball motors (again with advice from Tom). You are more than welcome to borrow them, as is anyone else for that matter.
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In reply to Post #36
Yes there's been no negatives reg the workmanship, but they are well known for taking the absolute piss with waits, many of over a year with no communication at all. If you do a search on here you will see for yourself
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In reply to Post #35
I have had a rod made by them. Tom built my marker rod and its tip top 
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In reply to Post #34
I doubt you'd be recommending Cotswold rods if you'd actually had rods made by them. Unreliable to say the least
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In reply to Post #32
I'd definitely recommend custom build if you can wait. Things like length of handle are especially important. I've got reasonably long arms and any standard factory built rod just seems very odd to me. I actually built all my rods myself with a lot of initial guidance from Tom at Cotswold Rods. Tom is a really top bloke by the way, so if you decide on custom built I'd definitely speak with him.
I know a lot of people would be phased by it, but if you are pretty practical with decent hand skills you could give it a go yourself. Everything is available online. I started with a simple build on a spod rod (harrison spod blank) rather than actual fishing rod to get a bit of confidence and it turned out really well. I've since built my 3 3.25lb Harrison Torrix's and another 4 on wychwood maximiser spd blanks plus 2 stalkers on the spd blanks too. It obviously takes time but you'll get great satisfaction landing fish with them. I've had UK cats up to 93lb on my Torrix's.
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In reply to Post #32
Some truly great blanks have in my opinion been spoilt by the standard factory builds. I'm a big fan of the infinity blank in high tc for distance but don't like the df build on what is a fairly expensive off the shelf rod. Like said personal preference but most off the shelf factory stuff is built to strict margins to keep them profitable even if this does compromise on performance.
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In reply to Post #29
Definitely. That's the big drawback of custom rods is the wait time. I'm getting a rod made up by Vic myself. Payed in October and will get made hopefully some time in December. Covid has had a really massive impact on wait times with all the anglers out there wanting custom rods.
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Like you're saying Mark, you can get all the bits you want on a custom job with everything to your liking. I'd more than likely say that I'd prefer custom over off the shelf for the reasons in my last sentence. I do like a very plain looking black rod, a lot of the rods I see are far to fancy looking, that's not to say that might just what someone else might like, we're all very different and like different things 🙂
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In reply to Post #30
Eh, look, before you go any further, just don't. If you want to have a pop at me, fine, start a thread about it somewhere else. Don't crap all over a perfectly decent thread and ruin it. Same goes for anyone else thinking of chiming in, doing similar and getting on the same bandwagon. Thanks 👍
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In reply to Post #26
Not sure why you're getting so hostile? I was merely recalling a time a serial forum b*lls*tter came up with another one of his stories. If we're going to subjected to the lies we should at least be able to make light of them.
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In reply to Post #24
Spot on mate. Both my ES and Hi - ER are customs via Johnson Ross - I'd add that I do have off-the-shelf Hi S 10ft 2 3/4 as well, but when I went to use them for the first time, found one of them had different ring spacing - took it back and JR's sifted through their stock and found one to match the other two - reason being they're made in batches and can/do vary. Another reason for customs! The only drawback is wait time. My Hi S ER's took five months, the ES (it was a while ago) I think it was 3 months. Had all mine done in full duplon to a very slightly shorter length than standard, gunsmoke fuji dps instead of clones, plus no lettering. I did however have alignment markers added on each section on the underside of the blanks. Both sets of rods have served me well, although my ES will need new duplon handles soon - they have done 8 years hard work...
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In reply to Post #26
That was well edited
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In reply to Post #25
What is it with you idiots? Can't make a sensible post without some cock chiming in with some smart arse half baked, pitiful snipe. Oh look, and there (((you))) are. Many such cases.
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I hear some rod builders will even do you a set of Harrison's with a spigot joint instead of an overfit 
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In reply to Post #8
The deal with getting custom rods made is that you can get the reel handle properly placed for your body, which really only comes into play for long distance casting. You could strike it lucky and get something off the shelf that fits perfectly.
It's really upto the individual in all fairness. I've got custom rods and I've also got off the shelf rods. There's pros and cons for either I'd say 👍
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In reply to Post #21
Thankyou everyone for your replies . I would say that if I went for custom the only difference to factory build for me would probably be ring type may go for the 50mm kigans as opposed to the s lites as I understand these are a better ring . I've had s lites before and had some trouble with some of the ceramics . Full cork and free spirit reel seat which I like . I understand that having the handles made to measure may be beneficial . I think probably the reason for not considering custom build before was cost , thinking they would be considerably more . Maybe I'll have to get a price and see how it compares , thanks .
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In reply to Post #1
I looked at getting some custom build floodwater Barbel rods earlier this year, but ended up with factory builds instead.
After doing lots of research, I realised I just didn't know enough about the blanks available to me and didn't want to get some made then they not be as I'd imagined. Difficult to sell on as well if you make a mistake.
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In reply to Post #18
Exactly that,I had one guy once tell me something I was using was crap.I asked him why and has he ever used one he looked confused and walked off
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In reply to Post #13
Perhaps people don't speak to you for other reasons only joking
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In reply to Post #14
Did,nt pass people by that knew about rods.The blanks were amongst the best ive used and built on.The guides and reel seats used on the factory built were awful.
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In reply to Post #12
I used to use Wychwood rods for exactly that reason.
The fact that SPD Maximisers were good rods passed most people by......
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In reply to Post #12
Thats news to me, not something I've ever noticed.
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In reply to Post #11
It's some people's way of starting a conversation and if you have crap looking gear most modern day anglers think you're a noddy and leave you alone
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In reply to Post #10
And that's got what to do with getting rods built? If people want to talk they will, it's got sod all to do with what kit you have
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In reply to Post #9
Perhaps he likes to be left alone in solitude when fishing
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In reply to Post #8
What a weird comment
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In reply to Post #1
Don't get custom built, your only get people say there nice rod and make polite conversation.
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If your prepared to wait then custom build every time.
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In reply to Post #1
Understand full what you want if you go custom... what each aspect of the rod, rings, seat, handle will give you.
I honestly didn't know any of this when I went for custom rods when i went to get mine first set a few years ago.
Luckily the builder spent a few hours with me and gave me a crash course on each aspect to consider as well as his recommendation's to what may suit my needs. He then sent me off packing to do some research before i went back and placed a order.
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| | | noj | | Posts: 11459 | | | Social photographer... | |
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In reply to Post #4
That's great, unless you are the bloke choosing between the remaining **** in the stock room 
In the great scheme of things, if you're unaware of the benefits of a custom build there is little point in having them.
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In reply to Post #3
mate used the tackle box for his hi.S and gary went through the whole stock checking before he sold him 3
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In reply to Post #1
Customs are not that much dearer depending on what reelseats and rings you go for.If you are going with freespirit I would 100% go custom,let's just say their off the shelf can be very hit and miss and so can their customer service
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In reply to Post #1
Not a lot of difference between custom and off the peg these days .
Custom positives are you get exactly what you want . Negatives are the turn around times on custom builds
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I've been looking to change my rods and was thinking of getting a set of factory build free spirit hi s . I been wondering what the advantages/ disadvantages are of factory build and custom build . I'm on a budget so cost may rule custom build out as I'm unsure how the prices would compare . Thanks in advance for any advice .
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