While I won't be doing it myself, I'm debating having a rod built...

From what I've found, Alconite guides appear to a great value in terms of weight, performance & durability.  Are there similarly priced guides that should be considered?

Thanks

If you are truly having a rod built these are questions for your builder, you will only get a general consensus here....If your having the rod built from e-mails over the net well ...

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!

Thanks Reel Mech, wish you were located in the Western MA area

Unfortunately, I do not know of any reputable builders in my area.  As such, I'm trying to gain enough knowledge so that I can conduct "due diligence" upon a builder when I find one.  By being up-to-speed on a few aspects, I might be in a better position to evaluate what I'm being told.  Even if I can't go custom, I'd like a better understanding of the benefits of Alconites because they are used in so many rods.

Thanks

Leon

Actually flechero and a lot of the other builders right here in this forum can do a bang up job for you....

Good Luck & Tight Lines!!!!

I really appreciate David's vote of confidence and would have suggested you contact him as well!! I'm not able to take any orders these days, due in part to a new baby at home and a great shortage of time. However, happy to help out with questions as needed.

To your original question- My opinion is that Alconites are the best value in guides, period. But be careful listening to me and some others because the "best value" might not be the right choice for your custom rod. There are several design and application scenarios that should be considered, which is why David suggested asking the builder directly.

A huge jump in pricing, say from Alconites to SiC's, might only equate to a $25 difference on the entire build... so I wouldn't make a decision based soley on price or value. Especially for a once in a while treat like a custom rod.  

-keith

Keith, congratulations on the new baby  

Thanks for the insight.  I've assumed that Alconites were a good value with strong "performance" because they are used on so many repsected rods.  However, I've been wondering how much of the perceived benefit was due to their design and how much was due to the Fuji name.  It seems as though rod manufacturers that don't use Fuji components usually don't get as much respect.  From the comments I've seen here and in prior threads, Alconites seem like a reasonable "benchmark," unless I'm looking jump up.  Have a great weekend!

Leon

Leon,

Thanks!  He's a handful already!  I think Fuji Hardloys are actually the "industry standard."  Alconites are definitely strong on the performance scale...  

Keith

flechero, is right.

The Hardloy guides became the industry standard (for super hard, smooth, shock rings) back in the middle 90's when the first Kevlar lines came out. The Alconite came about a little later as the new standard for super hard, super light, shock ring material. Won't be long and Hardloy will be discontinued and Alconite will be the bottom end for the new concepts in the future..

flechero, you mean you don't have the baby backing that GMC down and putting you in on the weekends yet....

Tight Wraps....

flechero, you mean you don't have the baby backing that GMC down and putting you in on the weekends yet....

Even with the booster seat, he still can't reach the pedals, and I can't find a life jacket roomy enough that it allows him to cast! ;D

I'm working on it though... when I solve the 2nd problem, I'll just load/unload solo!