GLX Build Quality

[JN94]

Bought my first Loomis this past Black Friday, one of the new GLXs. Got to looking at it and it's got some cosmetic issues (see pics). The cork on the locking nut is uneven and the the issue on the butt speaks for itself. Nothing that affects the rod's performance, but definitely sloppy work. You always hear about their craftsmanship and they make a big deal out of these being made in the US, but doesn't seem like the quality is there on mine. Is this standard for them? Should I contact Loomis and see about getting an exchange? Am I being too picky? Let me know y'all's thoughts. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

You bought a top of the line $500 new in package rod.......you didn't buy a factory 'blem'.      While blems might be petty to some, why buy a top of the line $500 rod if you didn't expect it to be flawless upon buying.  

I'd have Loomis make it right, and I'm positive they won't have a problem doing so.   They should have caught those flaws in their QC process, but clearly didn't.  

[Tackleholic]

In my advancing years I have mellowed and no longer expect absolute perfection;  it would drive me crazy if I did, no matter what the product is or the cost.  I usually expect a little disappointment if I look closely enough.   Unless the performance is noticeably compromised I will let it pass and only I will notice the flaw.  The hassle of an exchange for something which may be no better isn't worth it to me, but each to their own.  

[KP Duty]

I find that unacceptable.  I want my rods perfect from the factory.  That foregrip alone would make me send it off.  I'd contact them.

[Kirtley Howe]

I would not accept that in a $50.00 rod, much less a $500.00 rod. I'd contact them and have them make it right. They have a good reputation, and I am pretty sure they would not want to have this out there as an example of their quality.

[JN94]

11 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

You bought a top of the line $500 new in package rod.......you didn't buy a factory 'blem'.      While blems might be petty to some, why buy a top of the line $500 rod if you didn't expect it to be flawless upon buying.  

I'd have Loomis make it right, and I'm positive they won't have a problem doing so.   They should have caught those flaws in their QC process, but clearly didn't.  

Yeah that's kind of how I feel. I've bought probably 50+ rods made in China over the years across various price points and honestly never had any issues of this sort. So for this to come from a US manufacturer that beats their chest to their build quality is kind of disappointing. I emailed them. Hoping they will exchange w/ no issues 

9 hours ago, KP Duty said:

I find that unacceptable.  I want my rods perfect from the factory.  That foregrip alone would make me send it off.  I'd contact them.

Haha that's what bothers me the most too 😂. Can't stop looking at it once I noticed it

[Bigbox99]

How do you screw up the one or two only details on such a plain jane rod?  This should be impossible for a $50 rod.  Aren't they owned and run by Shimano?  The company that can make space age rods like poison adrenas en masse.  Are they just not involved at all with loomis at a low level?  

[TNBankFishing]

On 1/4/2025 at 8:51 PM, JN94 said:

Bought my first Loomis this past Black Friday, one of the new GLXs. Got to looking at it and it's got some cosmetic issues (see pics). The cork on the locking nut is uneven and the the issue on the butt speaks for itself. Nothing that affects the rod's performance, but definitely sloppy work. You always hear about their craftsmanship and they make a big deal out of these being made in the US, but doesn't seem like the quality is there on mine. Is this standard for them? Should I contact Loomis and see about getting an exchange? Am I being too picky? Let me know y'all's thoughts. 

I own multiple NRXs and they all have mediocre fit and finish. You can ask them to make it right but the replacement almost guaranteed will have some other issue. 
 

Loomis isn’t on the same level as the JDM brands. 

[volzfan59]

I agree with the above responses Considering what you probably spent on that Loomis rod, I would return it too. 

[Hulkster]

definitely send it back. I have two IMX pro rods and they are both perfect. Any Loomis rod should be the same. 

[FishTank]

Big Loomis fan and that is really disappointing.  I have seen badly wrapped guides and cork not fully glued but that is a new one.

 

Heard this last year. Rumor maybe......A lot of the old school, skilled workers left during Covid and only a few returned.  Some of the finishing work was outsourced to people working from home. Makes me wonder if this caused things to get missed. In any case, I would notify them and have them make it right.

[Bigbox99]

Are the components like the cork in front of lock nut made in house or are those a lego part from the rod building industry? 

[JN94]

6 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

I own multiple NRXs and they all have mediocre fit and finish. You can ask them to make it right but the replacement almost guaranteed will have some other issue. 
 

Loomis isn’t on the same level as the JDM brands. 

That's pretty disappointing.... Probably won't be buying any more GLs in that case. I love their aesthetics and wish more rod manufacturers stuck to the classic cork handles and locking nut. I've only fished with mine once but it didn't wow me when I went. To me it's a prettier rod than it is some otherworldly performing one in my limited experience with it. Really feel like my Zodiases perform just as well and are lighter and 60% cheaper. Hard to justify ponying up $500+ for a rod that was slapped together with no care

[TNBankFishing]

With some of the discounts I’ve been able to snag the last year they are worth it. They are incredible rods. They also are fugly looking. 
 

[F14A-B]

6 hours ago, FishTank said:

Big Loomis fan and that is really disappointing.  I have seen badly wrapped guides and cork not fully glued but that is a new one.

 

Heard this last year. Rumor maybe......A lot of the old school, skilled workers left during Covid and only a few returned.  Some of the finishing work was outsourced to people working from home. Makes me wonder if this caused things to get missed. In any case, I would notify them and have them make it right.

St. Croix does the same thing. Guide tying..

I’ve bought three GLX rods, baitcast and two IMX rods, baitcast, all this past year.

 

they’re perfect in build. 
 

OP: where did you buy the rod? 

24 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

With some of the discounts I’ve been able to snag the last year they are worth it. They are incredible rods. They also are fugly looking. 
 

I got a buddy, he says his wife is beautiful, me, not so much 🤣😂🥂

[JN94]

28 minutes ago, TNBankFishing said:

With some of the discounts I’ve been able to snag the last year they are worth it. They are incredible rods. They also are fugly looking. 
 

Haha fugly??? Crazy. I can't stand the rods that do too much. Think the NRX and GLX are the two best looking rods on the market

11 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

OP: where did you buy the rod?

Summerland

[TNBankFishing]

I really like the look of most of Daiwa and Megabass rods. I think the P5s and Steez rods have such a cool “it” factor to their style. I would even go out on a limb and say I prefer the legend lines of st Croix more than the NRX. Even the snot green legend x is alright lookin in my book. 

[JN94]

2 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

I really like the look of most of Daiwa and Megabass rods. I think the P5s and Steez rods have such a cool “it” factor to their style. I would even go out on a limb and say I prefer the legend lines of st Croix more than the NRX. Even the snot green legend x is alright lookin in my book. 

I like the Steezes and Megabasses too. I think Ark and TFO make some really good looking rods as well. Just think Loomis has the prettiest, mostly due to their use of cork everywhere 

[Hulkster]

4 hours ago, TNBankFishing said:

With some of the discounts I’ve been able to snag the last year they are worth it. They are incredible rods. They also are fugly looking. 
 

I have never ever liked the light blue trim of the NRX or NRX Plus rods. 

But I like the classic gold and black of the new GLX and I think the IMX Pro rods with the green trim are sharp looking. 

The GCX Lite rods with the orange trim look like something Carrotstix would put out

[thunderblack]

G. Loomis rods have been a hit or miss for me. Guide issues, wraps, cork off center, ect... Love the blanks and the look of their rods but look them over well if you bought new. Some things are minor and some will go right back in the tube for a swap. It can happen with any company and not just Loomis. I would swap your rod and get a replacement. 

[JN94]

Well so far, Loomis has stiffed me. Wasn't super impressed with the response I got. He said the gap in the cork was "dirt from sitting on a rod shelf". Said he didn't see the issue with the locking nut. Pretty ridiculous. He also told me I needed to go thru the retailer I bought it from, so that's my next stop

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Pathetic response

 

I had similar QC issues with a few Alpha Angler rods......each time no questions asked new rods in the mail next day, and then after 3rd rod had QC issues, they gave me a free rod for all the hassles.   Alpha Angler is about a thousand times smaller than Shimano too.

 

It really pains me to say this, because they're made in China, but Megabass makes the most cosmetically flawless rods of all the high end rods I either buy or fondle at my local tackle store.   Maybe return the rod, and just buy a P5 Destroyer for the same or even less online than a new GLX.          

[JN94]

10 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Pathetic response

 

I had similar QC issues with a few Alpha Angler rods......each time no questions asked new rods in the mail next day, and then after 3rd rod had QC issues, they gave me a free rod for all the hassles.   Alpha Angler is about a thousand times smaller than Shimano too.

 

It really pains me to say this, because they're made in China, but Megabass makes the most cosmetically flawless rods of all the high end rods I either buy or fondle at my local tackle store.   Maybe return the rod, and just buy a P5 Destroyer for the same or even less online than a new GLX.          

How customer service should be. I had a similar experience with Kistler. Bates also sent me a replacement reel for free even though the reel I was sending back to them was lost in the mail due to a mistake on my part. I do think most manufacturers are pretty solid in this dept. Unfortunately GL doesn't seem to be here

[Maverick2017]

On 1/4/2025 at 7:51 PM, JN94 said:

Bought my first Loomis this past Black Friday, one of the new GLXs. Got to looking at it and it's got some cosmetic issues (see pics). The cork on the locking nut is uneven and the the issue on the butt speaks for itself. Nothing that affects the rod's performance, but definitely sloppy work. You always hear about their craftsmanship and they make a big deal out of these being made in the US, but doesn't seem like the quality is there on mine. Is this standard for them? Should I contact Loomis and see about getting an exchange? Am I being too picky? Let me know y'all's thoughts. 

Was this rod purchased brand new, sealed in bag with tags? 

[MiceNReets]