a guy had this st croix avid & a couple of the guides needed re-wrapping, so, he sold it to me at a bargain. - it is/was a 7' mh st croix avid w/sciii blank ( i Love the feel of the finished product)

i hope the pictures turn out ok, so you can see what i've done.

i sanded the handle, split the grip & took off the foregrip

next, removed the guides & did a spiral wrap (rather than having just one eye offset, i used 4 for the transition.)

rather than using a winding check, i used thread & epoxy to build a ramp & then added some gold winding for decoration.

when i was mixing some paint on a plate for marbelizing, i accidentally put on too thick gold pigment, but, liked the "oriental look" it gave on the black base coat.  since i'm using an imported shimano on this rod, i decided to go w/this look, rather than marbeling it.

now, i hope i can go out & catch a "good 'ol big'un" on it! Wheeeeeeeeeeee

That's something esle ain't it. Very impressive.

Good work, I also like the heavy gold...  I thought at first glance you used the gold leaf foil.

Great Job......

Did you seal the grip? If not I would, ST.Croix grips are full of pits and any that you didn't lossen the filler in when you re-shaped the grip probably will fall out sooner or later.

Just a good preventive measure......

Again great job...

Tight Wraps!    

Great Job......

Did you seal the grip?

no, i didn't seal it -   what do you use for sealing them?

...i know this sort of thing is nothing compared to what you guys do, but, thanks for the kudos - ...maybe one day.

justtrying,

Get a hold of some U-40 cork seal......

;D Great rework job!! ;D