I know this may sound like a dumb question, but just had to ask; Is there a difference in quality in the different manufacturers of guides? I know that we all have our preferances, but is there a real difference? The reason I am asking this is I was just at a place looking for a couple of Fuji tip tops. I just needed 2 to fit 2 rods I am working on, and didn't have this size. The rod builder in the shop basically turned his nose up, and said; "We don't carry any Fuji guides". I know that I have been working in a vacuum until I found this site, but have things changed enough over the years that Fuji guides are no longer good guides? I have never had a problem with them, but with the reaction of this rod builder, I am starting to wonder?

Fuji has always made a high quality product and still does. Nothing has changed there. What has happened in the past decade or so, is that the companies that previously made guides that were not so good, have vastly improved their products to the point that most all of them now make very good quality guides.

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Thanks Tom. I figured this was the case, but wanted to hear it from someone that knows what they are talking about.

I've had great luck with American Tackle tops & guides and Fuji's have always been top notch.

Though I rarely use them, Fuji is still the standard by which all other guides are measured when it comes to bass rods. In fact, I'd bet it's the only brand that most bass fishermen have even heard of. It's the only brand I have ever had customers ask for. I use Batson and American Tackle mostly and have been very happy with both.

I think they are good guides, but I have had a few Alconites that "creaked" a bit from a possibly poor fit between the ring and frame. Most noticed when on a rod or held against a blank while the ring is wiggled.

Thought it was the wrap job or foot to blank fit at first, but after going through several guides for testing some actually do have play in them. Doesn't seem to have a bit of consequence for fishing or durability over the years so I use them happily.

Some folks may have bigger issue with such things, it's really nothing more than a light ticking sound when one puts pressure on the ring. Never even hear it when I fish. You have to press the foot against some material that amplifies it to really notice this quirk, don't need to press hard on the foot or wiggle the ring much to get it. May even be benefit in wide temperature changes as I've yet to have a ring pop out though I've not a clue how much the two materials expand/contract relative each other in temps.

ALL of my Fuji BSVLG and SVLG have that sound and have never been istalled yet! On some of them you can see the glue betwwen the ring and the frame missing or cracked...Oh well, I guess I got the knock-off of the Chinese knock-off of the Japanese guides.

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Danny Condruti Wrote:
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> Oh well, I guess I got the
> knock-off of the Chinese knock-off of the Japanese
> guides.

Nah...regardless of reputation or claims, just about everyones quality ebbs and flows over time. Reckon any number of quirks could cause something like this in a process, be nice if they'd test for this occasionally to eliminate the occurance.

Really, I'm rather surprised that some custom/business folk haven't groused about this issue, perhaps it's not very common. For me, it's cool and no big deal...not so sure I'd feel the same if the rod were built for someone else and subject to their fondling and scrutiny. Could be awkward to explain or pass off.