Dumb question I think... but I will ask anyway so as not to end up wasting money...

I understand that the new G. Loomis GL3 blanks are a mahogony color while the old GL3's were a matte black/grey color.

Other than the color, is there any difference in the blank? Some have said "yes," (probably Loomis salesmen...) some say "no." Can anyone help me out with this?

I am considering purchasing a new mahogony GL3 blank to build a 2 piece 9' 7 wt smallmouth rod. I am leaning toward buying a Rod Kit since this will be my first rod building project. The Rod Kit that I am leaning toward contains a new GL3 mahogony blank.

Thanks for all of your assistance.

-Brent

I think you will learn more and get a better rod if you take Dick French's advise above. I have dealt with several of the suppliers that support this board and find that just calling them and asking them for reccomendations has produced good results and a wealth of extra information to boot. Look at the catalogs first, sorta study the stuff. Be up front about how much you want to spend, and I bet you get a nicely balanced set of components.

I also suggest avoiding the kit approach. Look through the catalogs and see what grip, reel seat, and guides you'd like to have and if you can't get it in a kit then ask the dealer to make you an offer on what you want. If he's interested in your business he should be happy to customize your kit for a little extra. I also suggest you consider using single foot SIC guides and get a fighting butt option on the reel seat. I built a 9' 7 wt last year for bass using these options and am very happy with it--FlyDoctor

Thanks for your suggestions!

Can you recommend to me, as a first time product buyer, a dealer that will work with me in buying everything that I need to build a good rod?

Thanks for your assistance,

-Brent

From my experience, you would have a hard time finding one of the sponsors to the left that wouldn't do this for you. I have dealt with most and am amazed at how experienced and helpful they are.

Ray Alston
Goldrush Rods

Brent, e-mail Dick French at Clemens Tackle. He and his staff have helped me out many times.

I have not dealt with him personally, but the one guy on this board who always jumps to help out the rod builders is Rich Garbowski at Rich's Rod and Reel. He can't be all bad if he is willing to help so much and so often. I'd give him a go and just may do that on my next project.