In reply to Post #34
I doubt you'd be recommending Cotswold rods if you'd actually had rods made by them. Unreliable to say the least
I doubt you'd be recommending Cotswold rods if you'd actually had rods made by them. Unreliable to say the least
In reply to Post #35
I have had a rod made by them. Tom built my marker rod and its tip top
I have had a rod made by them. Tom built my marker rod and its tip top
In reply to Post #36
Yes there's been no negatives reg the workmanship, but they are well known for taking the absolute piss with waits, many of over a year with no communication at all. If you do a search on here you will see for yourself
Yes there's been no negatives reg the workmanship, but they are well known for taking the absolute piss with waits, many of over a year with no communication at all. If you do a search on here you will see for yourself
In reply to Post #37
Possibly on wait times. I can only talk from my own experience with Tom. Yes they can be difficult to get hold of at times, but I was in no rush for the marker rod and I let them know that. Probably the most helpful bloke I have ever dealt with tbh.
To the OP, if you want some advice on building your own, drop me a PM. I'm in no way a professional and have only done my own rods which took me ages! Obviously professional builders would do it much quicker, but it did make me think how they can make a living doing it. I made myself rod supports and turners using disco ball motors (again with advice from Tom). You are more than welcome to borrow them, as is anyone else for that matter.
Possibly on wait times. I can only talk from my own experience with Tom. Yes they can be difficult to get hold of at times, but I was in no rush for the marker rod and I let them know that. Probably the most helpful bloke I have ever dealt with tbh.
To the OP, if you want some advice on building your own, drop me a PM. I'm in no way a professional and have only done my own rods which took me ages! Obviously professional builders would do it much quicker, but it did make me think how they can make a living doing it. I made myself rod supports and turners using disco ball motors (again with advice from Tom). You are more than welcome to borrow them, as is anyone else for that matter.
In reply to Post #35
Second that, my friend had a v frustrating time with them, to put it mildly.
Second that, my friend had a v frustrating time with them, to put it mildly.
In reply to Post #9
Sorry , I have fished one or two venues where its become a fashion parade, and I like my solitude
Sorry , I have fished one or two venues where its become a fashion parade, and I like my solitude
In reply to Post #40
Thanks for the replies . To add a further twist I have been in contact with Johnson Ross who were quite up front in saying that they have had issues regarding standard builds in the past and make sure that all rods match when bought as a set . Also adding that free spirit only make abbreviated handles as stock rods . As I'm looking at cork handles these would be made through free spirits custom made service . Therefore these would be made as a set eliminating this mix and match problem .
Thanks for the replies . To add a further twist I have been in contact with Johnson Ross who were quite up front in saying that they have had issues regarding standard builds in the past and make sure that all rods match when bought as a set . Also adding that free spirit only make abbreviated handles as stock rods . As I'm looking at cork handles these would be made through free spirits custom made service . Therefore these would be made as a set eliminating this mix and match problem .
In reply to Post #41
Did JR's not tell you they hold some stock of both cork an full duplon handled Hi-S rods? The Tackle Box also offer them from stock. All obviously contingent on them having them of course. But if it's just the cork handle you want and the rest of the rod is standard build, you could have some very quickly. I no fan of cork on carp rods, but did have three custom Free Spirit 11ft S Pike rods built by Vic Gibson via Johnson Ross - I didn't like the handle length, dodgy inscription (looked like someone was pissed when they wrote it) and the really crap ring spacing on the standard rod. Paid a little extra for them and they took 8 weeks. But very happy with the build quality.
Did JR's not tell you they hold some stock of both cork an full duplon handled Hi-S rods? The Tackle Box also offer them from stock. All obviously contingent on them having them of course. But if it's just the cork handle you want and the rest of the rod is standard build, you could have some very quickly. I no fan of cork on carp rods, but did have three custom Free Spirit 11ft S Pike rods built by Vic Gibson via Johnson Ross - I didn't like the handle length, dodgy inscription (looked like someone was pissed when they wrote it) and the really crap ring spacing on the standard rod. Paid a little extra for them and they took 8 weeks. But very happy with the build quality.
In reply to Post #42
Thanks for the reply . The model I've been looking at would need to be made by free spirits custom service - currently 16 weeks which to be honest wouldn't bother me as I fish a lot less through the winter .
Thanks for the reply . The model I've been looking at would need to be made by free spirits custom service - currently 16 weeks which to be honest wouldn't bother me as I fish a lot less through the winter .
In reply to Post #37
Understatement of the year, frustrating when you call about 40 times to no answer, about the same amount of emails too.
Never again, workmanship was great no doubt but everything else - forget it.
Understatement of the year, frustrating when you call about 40 times to no answer, about the same amount of emails too.
Never again, workmanship was great no doubt but everything else - forget it.
In reply to Post #44
Just had a quote from a good rod builder that I know . I've seen a lot of his work and it is excellent. The price comes in about £140 more than the factory builds over the three rods . I thought that was pretty good .
Just had a quote from a good rod builder that I know . I've seen a lot of his work and it is excellent. The price comes in about £140 more than the factory builds over the three rods . I thought that was pretty good .