I have a guy who has me build his Loomis bass rods just like Loomis does. He always wants his GL3's to be black on matte black. I ask him why he doesn't just buy factory loomis, and he says he isn't happy with the workmanship. He's willing to pay the difference......go figure. One thing about it, it doesn't take long to build up one this way. I have to admit, it does look pretty good.

Ray Alston
Goldrush Rods

I prefer simple and elegant, not plain. Black on black can be simple and elegant or just "plain". This takes the form over function argument and says would you use an ugly rod? Bad cork, mixed guide colors, sizes, bad wraps. A rod built that way is plain and works, but how many of those could you sell? See even black on black should be done with "style"!

What weight are the blanks I am willing to take them for a good price. PLease e-mail me with the details

I have to say that I am a person that loves color. That isn't to say that simple rods are not elegant and beautiful, but I love to see someone take the time to incorporate an amazing weave or but wrap that compliments to trim bands and underwrap of the guides. I feel that it shows an attention to detail from the creaftsman. However, if the rods fishes poorly or is unbalanced, etc.. then all this thread work is for naught and might as well have been done on a dowel.

I'm not as much of a fan of plain as I am simple. I had a design prof hold his class to the adage that "great design is not when there is nothing left to add, it's when there is nothing left to take away".

A black on black, if it is truly a pattern in color & sheen (not all blacks from different materials are the same under different lighting etc) carried through in total from the seat & insert (as mentioned above), guide frames & rings, tip top etc would fit this criteria. I just think it is harder to do correctly than it would seem. A wood insert, metals that have different sheens, the contrast between blank and thread can all be distractions to the basic pattern and look like it was just thrown together.

To my eye, to get a truly black on black or any other color on color that does look good takes a skilled builder with a lot of knowledge about the individual characteristics of the components and how they can be used in a consistent pattern.

MORE good answers! It is true that even black on black can be done in a way that does not look boring. But one thing that no one mentioned is taking into consideration the style of the REEL.
I just bought a pair of Tica Libras, very pretty reels that are also high performance. Matte gray with titanium trim (gold) They look sharp contrasted with the glossy black blanks and fresh cork handles. Plain black on black they may be, but good looking black on black.

Style is in the eye of the beholder, but a sweet rod is a sweet rod! :)

TH

Black on black = boring to me. For all you know the guides are held on with electrical tape.

SHHHHHHH!!! Don't tell everyone...

Years ago, I perfected the electrical tape wrap. The trick is pulling it very very tight (stretch it) as you put it on. Like a rubber band, it will only get tighter as time passes.

I always put on a couple of extra layers, so that if I have to do an emergency wire splice, I can borrow tape from a rod and still go fishing afterwards. I also inlay a screwdriver and a toothpick in the handle. Makes for a truly all-purpose rod.

TH

Thats pretty funny. Ill have to try that sometime. haha

...That last part was a joke, you know! You know, like a swiss-army rod? Get it?

I am now planning how I will build my new fly rod.

The blank is green, the reel seat silver nickel, and guides are that black nickel color of the TiC.

So far, I am considering a matching green thread with three turns of silver thread below the stripper guide. I think the high-quality components are distinctive looking enough, so I don't need to add much to make this rod look good!

Any suggestions?


TH

Sorry Don, I was typing when you made your post. I thought no one got it!

My next post was going to be:

I have been experimenting with adding a fold-out fork and knife, but the weight really throws off the balance of the rod. Plus, I tend to knock stuff over when I eat!"

:)

TH

What kind of a discussion is this? I can't believe that a bona-fide
rod builder would suggest that anything other than his particular choice is not necessary or takes away from the rod!

Come on guys, if we all went about it the same way, there wouldn't
be any Rodbuilder magazine or a place on the net to solve problems
or ask questions. "black on black" is one form of expression,
showy butt wraps and inlaid handles are another. Is either one wrong or bad-I don't think so. If all the rods were black on black it would sure
be a dull rod display at your local Wally world or Bass Pro shop.

I grew up with the idea that "the customer is always right". Sometimes you have to bite your cheek to go along with that, but
isn't that really the bottom line? My personal taste varies greatly
from what my customers choose (and that is the key word-choose).
And you know what-I feel we're both right.

So, bottom line.......praise the other guy's rodwork, after all he is proud of what he has done as well. Stand tall when you ask for "black on black", it's your choice. Putting down someone else's
work only hurts all of us. We live in the greatest country on this planet and the reason that happened is because of freedom! Freedom to choose and pick what we want, not be told what we must use.

John

Amen, John!

As I stated before, I think fancy rod work is truly a form of art! It really takes skill and talent to to properly! Hopefully, no one thinks I am putting it down!

I found it ticklish that my rod builder friends have such a hard time making a simple rod, and I was curious of how many preferred them simple. (plain was probably not the best word to use) Some people like the simple, some like the very elaborate, and most probably like something in between.

As you state so well, it is all a CHOICE.

Hey! Want to watch me put my foot in my mouth--- on my new fly rod, I'm putting SILVER in my wraps (but only a tiny bit!) to compliment the nickel silver rod butt! Next thing you know, I'll be doing fancy weave, too! :)

Hopefully, all of this is just friendly chat, and no one is feeling left out or insulted.

Good fishing and wrapping to everyone!

TH

Hi.

I have built rods for myself and customers using black wraps, on honey, black and graphite colored blanks. They look sharp!!

However, I share a booth at a local fishing show with a friend (a well known custom rod builder). I made demo rods using black wraps so I knew with a glance which were the demo rods in the rack.. My friends rods on display were nicely wrapped using colors. As people walked past the booth (whether or not they knew us) most of the time they went to look at the rods with colored wraps. A lesson learned!!!!

As I build my own rods, how do I chose the colors? Many times it depends upon what type a mood I am in. Crazy but true.

But, all the rods I build are designed and crafted to be the finest fishing tool. It is only at the end of a design meeting do I mention wrap colors to the client.

I think the world is a more interesting place due to everything being different as we look around us!!

Bottom line, it's great to have something special YOUR WAY!!!

Capt Neil