it would be interesting to here of all the possible effects that can take place when the eyes are not lined up with the spine.

example: I recieved a replacement redington 9' #5 RS2 (I sent them a broken origional Red Start 5/6 weight (different rod)) and upon inspection found that while looking down the top half of the blank under load, the eyes seem to be in the 5 o'clock position instead of the optimal 6 o,clock position. The butt section under the same test revieled the eyes at the 4 o'clock position. the broken one was spined perfectly (made in USA). The RS2 had a "made in Korea" sticker. if that is of any consiquence.

I am in the info. gathering stages of my rod building career and have not yet built my own but I'm already gaining confidence that I can build a more stucturally sound piece than can a noted manufacturer. does anyone else have or know of someone having a redington like this? I am clearly dissapointed in their drop in quality since my last purchase. I am being forced to build my own he he :)
thanks Troy

By "eyes" are you refering to the GUIDES?
What reference are you using for position? The reel seat, possiable.
Stan

Troy -
You have discovered why so many of us have taken up the "build your own" approach to fishing rods. You can do better and you will do better because you will take your time on each rod you make. You will choose the better grade of piece/parts. You will put the guides where they are supposed to be (based on test casting). Simply put: Anyone can do a better job with the one-at-a-time approach than any large manufacturer that has to meet a supply/demand of X-parts / month.

This is not a simple "Made in USA" is better it's a quality control issue no matter where the rod is made or by whom..

Reddington is probably doing what most other manufacturers do - building on the straightest axis which is rarely in line with the effective spine. Customers, who aren't informed about things like rod spine, prefer their rods to appear straight when sighting down them with the guides held up or down.

In some cases, this can cause you to have a rod that doesn't track perfectly in line on the forward and back casts. It all depends on how strong the spine effect on your rod is. Check the FAQs page here for some information on how different guide to spine locations can affect your rod.

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