new to rod building
i have a tc80hf st croix tidemaster conv. just wondering whether anyone has stripped and rebuilt with fewer guides, and what placements they used
just don't care for the small guide set with abu 6500/6600 reel
thanx
paul

You better check with St Croix on the warranty. If you change it it may become void.

Bill - willierods.com

realize that a possibility just curious if it can be done-or sell and find comperable blank

What problem are you having? If it's problems passing knots I'd try a modest upsize, otherwise I'd just remove the guide closest to the reel and resize it to your pleasure, test casting first to make sure you're actually improving something.
I've used the Abus for many, many years and have yet to see a need of a guide larger than a 16, usually a 12.
The old school big, fewer guide formula of old has never helped me.

If you take guides off and move them there will be marks under each one. You may have to refinish the blank before redoing the guide pattern.
Use it as is , pick up another blank and rebuild from scratch. or pick up some chep blanks and get in some practice.

Bill - willierods.com

knots is problem [uni/uni and albrecht] first quide is 12,10,6,6,6,6,6,6,6,and tip is 12
wanted to know if i got rid of 6's and replaced with 5/10's would that improve and problem with knots

will do just want to confirm my suspiscions

thanx
any suggestions on blanks
paul

I take it this is a off the shelf factory rod. 12 tip with 6 running guides ?? Don't make sence ? Running guides usually are the same size as the tip ??

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/28/2009 05:04PM by bill boettcher.

factory rod has 8+t my mistake tip is 6
paul

Paul, I think the Tidemaster series uses SCII graphite. There may well be something in their blank list matching the specs.

Are you sure ???? Runners and tip are the same size. Did some one build this ?
What ever. If your knots will fit the 8 guides, change the tip to an 8. Or whaver size your knots fit. Some thing is not right !!!

Still don,t sound right -- even for a St Croix rod ????

Bill - willierods.com

measurements are as close as i can get without caliper. guides just seem a little small. just wanted to know how hard or drastic the change would be