kayaking_kev

I recently built a MB-733, MB-736, & MB7109 and I'm a little disappointed/concerned about the weight of the blanks. It's always said weight is the enemy of sensitivity, but yet the X-Ray blanks get good reviews for sensitivity. Granted, these were my first builds and I went a little crazy with the aesthetics which added some weight on a couple of the builds, the MB-736 and the MB-7109 since it's already a beast of a blank, I didn't think a little extra would hurt. The MB-733 I kept it simpler and only added a custom decal and hook keeper. My first build, the MB-736, I got carried away with making it look a specific way and added to carbon fiber rod skins, custom decal, rod spec decal, hook keeper and at least a 10" decorative thread wrap fade. But, even the MB-733 isn't heavy, but for a ML I would of thought it would be lighter. So, I'm seeking some of you builders who have built on some of these blanks or any other X-Ray blanks and wondering what you all thought about the weight of your rods and if it being heavier will diminish some of the sensitivity the blanks are known for. I've built another rod using a Phenix blank and it ended up weighing 3.9 oz. and it was a composite blank, and I have a Conquest 843c that weighs 3.8 oz and a Dobyns Xtasy that weighs 4.6 and feels lighter, so I'm a little worried about these X-Ray blanks being too heavy, FYI, they are all built using Torzite or SiC Fuji K Guides and Carbon Handles and Reel Seats, so I tried to get the lightest components for the builds. The end results is nice looking rods, but on the Heavy side. My MB-736 weighs over 5 oz and my MB-7109, which was cut down to 7'6 weighs over 6 oz. MB-7109 MB-736

I would get two Elites, or at least the Tatula 100 for the Tube and the Elite for Jerkbaits. My thinking is that you want as much distance as you can get on the cast for jerkbaits and the Elite is the farther caster from what I hear. But, I don't know how the Elite compares to the 100 in size, I wouldn't really want a big reel for jerkbaits. I have the Tatula 100, but never tried the Elite, both of the 100's I've had seem a little finicky compared to my Shimano's or Tatula SV.

My favorite was those two above, but I'm currently building an NFC X-Ray MB-733, which is a Med-Light, with G2 Carbon Split Grip Handle and Fuji Titanium SiC Guides, paired with a Shimano Vanford that I just received in the mail today from the TW BF sale.

I shipped it for $13.10 USPS, Priority Mail. I had to go through dozens of rod tubes that I had to find one that was long enough though at 96". The cut off is 98" for oversize shipping, which is expensive.

I looked it up, I'm 138 Miles from Detroit, 190 from Lansing. That is an option though. Once you get your replacement and know that you'll be able to keep it, then we can make arrangements. I will put the 7'10 rod in a tube and take measurements and see what the price would be. It's normally about $13 to ship a rod for me through USPS, but I usually add full insurance and signature on delivery, but we can discuss that stuff. I think the $50 insurance they give you for free may be ok for me, if it's for you and signature on delivery is not really needed because I trust you.

I'm about 100 miles south of Detroit str8 down I-75.

They finally got some Medium Power Blanks and they're on sale for $87.50. https://northforkcomposites.com/x-ray-rod-blanks/?goal=0_e5485418aa-53c9c66c28-95894270&mc_cid=53c9c66c28&mc_eid=ede838fd02

They sent me a new one and I received it in a little less than two weeks. They never asked for the other one back, so I cut less than an inch off the tip and enlarged my tip top a little to fit and now I have a extra brand new X-Ray Blank. I just wish it wasn't a Mag Heavy Blank and something that I wouldn't mind having two of. If your interested I would consider trading you my extra new MB-7109 for your extra defect SJ-736. I'm not too worried about those blemishes that SJ-736 has, because the material it's made out of is "supposed" to be able to withstand stuff like that. The only thing I'm worried about is the price of shipping a 7'10" rod.

No, I didn't even think about it, was anxious to start building. I don't see there being a whole lot of difference though. Same number of arbors inside and trim fittings and end caps, the carbon material itself weighs very little and there might only be an inch or two more material anyway. Biggest difference is that the Trim fittings come with the full handle kit and you have to order them separately after taking measurements with the split grips.

I ordered 3 NFC X-Ray blanks a little over a month ago, the MB733, MB736, & MB7109. I received them I believe about 10 days after I ordered them, so I was happy after hearing all the horror stories. And, then I had to get a replacement warranty on the MB7109 because the tip was slightly damaged, and it only took them about a week to get the replacement to me. They also never asked for the damaged one back, so now I just have to cut a little bit of the tip off of the bad one and I'll have a free X-Ray blank. I did have problems at first getting in contact with them through their email, but after no response, I emailed a lady named Angie directly who's email I had from when I placed my order. Her email addy was from EdgeRods.Com, but she responded and helped me right away with my replacement. The diameter on the Med Heavy 736 and Mag Heavy 7109 is oddly almost identical, at least in the bottom third of the rod, but the Med Light 733 has an even slightly bigger diameter in that bottom section.

I've had every version of the SLX with the exception of the JDM SLX DC and the SLX MGL 70 is my favorite. I wouldn't worry about the spool size unless you are using heavier line. I use mine for cranking, so I make far cast with it and never come close to running out of line. I usually use 12# or 10# Mono. If I wanted more of a workhorse reel, I would look for a used Tatula SV in that price range in good condition, or try to find one new for $150 or so.

Xtasy has Torzite Guides, AAAA Cork and a a better blank, I believe a Toray 1100G blank. Extreme HP Fuji K Series Guides, but not Torzite and AAA Cork and uses I believe a Toray 1000 blank. Both are great rods, the Xtasy is obviously better with higher end components, and I could do a sale job and talk the Xtasy up a lot, but there it's probably not worth $200 more retail price. The sensitivity is a little better, but it's minimal and there isn't a whole lot of weight difference until you get to the 4 & 5 powers. I think the Xtasy is one of the best looking full cork rods out there though and it's pretty close to my Conquest. As far as rods getting broke in the mail, I've sent probably 20 rods out in the last year and none have got broken. I just sold a Dobyns Champion 734c on this forum about a month ago. I also send in rod tubes like you get from Tackle Warehouse and I get it fully insured with Signature on Delivery Required. Xtasy 723c less than a year old, cork sealed with U-40. $375 shipped with insurance.

Two Sections of Handles by themselves = 0.45 oz. (14.26 grams) Handles + End Cap = 0.86 oz. (24.56 grams) Handles + End Cap + Two Trim Fittings = 1.07 oz. (28.5 grams) ------------------------------------ Handles = 14.26 Grams End Cap = 10.3 Grams Trims Fittings = 3.94 Grams Note: The End Cap also comes with a Trim Fitting that is including in it's weight.

The balance has been great on all of the 14 Dobyns rods I've had from every series, with the exceptions of the glass rods, which you don't want to be balanced the same as the others anyway. The sensitivity is good, but I can't compare it to the Adrena. As far as the Xtasy and Conquest goes, they are close in sensitivity, but I think the Conquest has a little more of a vibration. Finesse Jigs and Light T-Rigs might be pushing the 702c. I used the DX 702c for Ned Rigs and Drop Shots and other finesse techniques and I use the Xtasy 723c for 1/4 oz Jigs and light T-Rigs. So I would choose a 3 power Dobyns for those techniques because their powers are over-rated. I will be selling my Xtasy 723c soon for around the price of a new Extreme HP if your interested, only because I bought some X-Ray blanks and built my own rods to replace my factory rods.

I'm putting my Vanford on a X-Ray MB-733 build and I'm going to leave the butt cap for last just in case I don't like the balance and need to add some weight.

I had the Extreme HP 702c and loved it, almost as much as my two Xtasys, but I might get an Adrena just because I like the carbon handle and like to try different stuff. Got to also take into account the warranties though, Dobyns warranty is far better.

Is that scale pretty good? I'm in the market for a new one and been looking at the Rapala High Contrast or Kast King Floating Scale. I bought the Rapala 50 lb. Digital scale bit returned it tonight because it sucked.

I haven't epoxied them, but if you want the trim fittings for them included in the weight, you'll have to wait until they get to me tomorrow or Monday. If not I can throw them on the scales anytime.

The MB-736 is rated 1/4-3/4 oz., and a weightless 5" Senko is pushing 1/2 oz., so it just depends if you like the length and action on it. I'm building one right now and I will throw a 5" Senko with a light Nail Weight on it, but I don't expect it to be the perfect Senko rod. I'm also building the X-Ray MB-733 rated up to 3/8 oz. as a Spinning Rod, but I'm thinking it may be strong enough to throw a 5" Senko and if so I think I will like it better for that technique. The best Senko rod that I have now for a Senko is a Dobyns Xtasy 723c, which is rated as a MH, but more like a Medium Finesse Casting Rod. The action reminds me a lot of the X-Ray MB-733, but I haven't fished it yet so I can't say for sure. I believe the Xtasy is made from a Toray 1100G blank, not sure if you could buy one or not.

I've had one combo where I've spent more on the reel than the rod and that's only because I got 40% off of a Dobyns Fury and paired it with a SLX XT I got for $90. My most expensive casting rod is a Conquest and reel is a Metanium MGL 150, followed by an Dobyns Xtasy & and Tatula SV TW. So I typically spend at least twice as much on a rod than reel. My most expensive spinning rod is a Custom X-Ray MB-733 and the reel is a Vanford 2500, which would probably be twice as much as the reel if I didn't build it myself.

I still have a Conquest 843c and Xtasy 723c and they are close to perfect, but I wanted to try to take the best attributes of both and then add a carbon handle. I also wanted that added feeling of accomplishment of having caught a fish with a rod that I put together myself.

Those 4 builds in my pic are my 1st builds ever also. I think one of the big reasons to build some custom rods was because I also wanted to try the G2 Handles. I was originally going to put them on all 4.

Some have said they didn't need the insert on certain X-Ray blanks. All 3 AT seats I have were too loose not to have something though. There would of been too big of a gap in the exposed section that would cause a lot of play & flex in the reel. The AERO seat I got though isn't exposed, so I'm just going to arbor that. I used a G2 insert on two of them and one I used a Carbon Fiber Rod Skin with some finish on top to make the seat fit and I put the seam facing up so it wouldn't be exposed. But, considering the CF Skin cost the same as the insert and was more work, I would just get the insert if I did it over again. I've also had someone tell me and show me a pic of the CFX insert working with the AT reel seats as well, but can't confirm.

They're very smooth, even the Matte pattern ones are smooth, you can't feel any pattern on them. You would probably have to whack them pretty good to get them to crack, but it is a minor concern. I did a lot of research on them before buying them and couldn't find anyone who owned them and didn't like them, I just can't wait to fish them and see for myself, but I had to order another guide for one of the builds and another build has one guide back ordered. The difference between the Blade & Razor is the Razor is exposed on both sides of the blank, while the Blade is exposed on the bottom and has a thin piece of carbon on top that the reel sits on that the Razor doesn't. With the reel on, they look about the same, but the Razor lets the reels sit directly on the blank.

I though you didn't like the weave pattern? It would look good with my Matte G2 Handle, but I like the exposed carbon seats. The Blade is nice, but the Razor is just flat out awesome, and for spinning the AERO carbon with the palm support is really comfortable.