G-Blanks Rod Review 2024
steezy reply :
I received the G-Blanks rod I ordered, Ive fished with it and below are my opinions.
G-Blanks Custom Rods (Larry Mitchell,918-341-4523)
Type: Casting
Length: 6' Med Heavy
Blank: Shikari
Grip: EVA Split Foam
ReelSeat: Split style
Guides: H-Ring (9)
Color: Black
NO Logo or Markings
Delivered: 3 weeks
Cost: $150
The G-Blanks is a nice rod for $150.
Larry Mitchell was a pleasure to deal with and provided me good pre-sales information and everything I specifed in the order.
Most of my rods are either Steez or G.Loomis GLX and I will NOT try to compare the G-Blanks rod to my expensive rods. I received exactly what I expected and that is a good quality rod that I think most people would enjoy fishing. The weight, power and action is very reasonable compared to rods in the same class and price range. I really like the look and style of the rod and its very comfortable in my hand. The split reel seat is different but seems to hold the reel secure and firm. It is a medium heavy rod but has good flexibility and power but is still more on the stiff side so I primarily use it for frogs. The quality of workmanship is very good and I expect it to last a long time. If youre looking for a custom in the $150 price range then I would recommend G-Blanks.
luz2blaze reply :
thanks for taken the time to post this review 
ArcticCat500 reply :
Well done Steezy, glad you like her. Those are some nice shots, whats your plans for a reel? You should look into the RX8+, I think you'll love those.
Grey Wolf reply :
I thought he quit building on shikari blanks because they went out of business.
steezy reply :
I had a choice between an RX8 or Shikari. I don't know the difference so I told the rod builder to pick the best (in his opinion) of the 2 blanks. I would have asked on this forum but didn't want to hear all the crap from the people that have never owned or touch either blank.
My G-Blanks is a good rod for $150 and I don't regret the purchase.
My next custom will be from Matt at OtterRods. I decided to go to the other end of the spectrum with this rod and after exchanging about 20 emails, all the components have been selected and Matt is working on a quote for me now and hope it can be built this year. The biggest delay will be waiting on one of Gary Loomis new (North Fork Composites) blanks. It will be a lot more expensive than any of my Steez or GLX rods and will look out of this world sick!
Big Tom reply :
Thanks for the review. The rod looks nice and I really like the stealth look.
dan1942 reply :
Good stuff!! Thanks for the quick review and taking the time to contribute your thoughts on the rod!
Big Tom reply :
How many guides are on this rod?
flechero reply :
That's an old school cut on the Tharp seat.
steezy reply :
QuoteThat's an old school cut on the Tharp seat.
flechero, Im ignorant (but learning) on rod building terms, whats a "Tharp seat"?
Big Tom reply :
If I remember correctly, I think that someone else implied that it was as good as a GLX and/or a Steez.
I may eventually go the custom rod route myself but I would probably get mine from one of the talented builders here on this site.
flechero reply :
A split seat...
they used to be called (and still are by some of us) a Tharp style seat... Tharp is the guy who is credited with starting it.
ArcticCat500 reply :
QuoteIf I remember correctly, I think that someone else implied that it was as good as a GLX and/or a Steez.I may eventually go the custom rod route myself but I would probably get mine from one of the talented builders here on this site.
Im sure there are talented rod builders here, as a matter of fact I'd love for Flechero to build me one of his, the rods in our flea market are amazing, as well a George's rods from GBlanks, there are several quality and talented rod builders. These rods will never compare to the fore mentioned, but these are truely nice rods for their worth.
Dan: reply :
looks basically the same as my Gblank just different action/power
steezy reply :
Quotelooks basically the same as my Gblank just different action/power
I was going for a black stealthy look, nothing flashy (this time).
2ManyCrankb8s reply :
i think that g-blank looks pretty stealthy, would look great with a core 50mg!!
Muddy reply :
So Steezy: how do you think that rod will handle a Zebco 33, the Platinum model of course
ArcticCat500 reply :
QuoteSo Steezy: how do you think that rod will handle a Zebco 33, the Platinum model of course
Now Muddy, dont you man the Zebco Omega Z03?
nateobot reply :
QuoteIf I remember correctly, I think that someone else implied that it was as good as a GLX and/or a Steez.
Here is one such comment:
QuoteThe one I just had made he told me 4 weeks but had it done in 3 weeks, don't you love it when you get one sooner. Great rod too by the way and I have owned them all presently I have 11 Glx's 3 Imx's 2 Kistler Helium LTX II, 4 Falcon Expert series, 3 Falcon Lowriders, and 1 Powell Frog Rod, the G Blanks is build every bit as good if not better than all of these. I am sure that this will not be my last G Blanks
Matt Jungblut reply :
i have to chime in
i have owned 4 gblanks they are a great rod
but i will never buy another
my newest rod from g-blank was bought in 5-27-09
well it broke 4 days ago i emailed Larry and his response was we are not a big company and cant replace our rods when they break we don't make enough money to be able to do that
well that really ticked me off
i own 4 of his rods i guess customer loyalty means nothing
we went round and round about the rod
i was using 40lb braid fishing a crank bait over rocks
crank bait was a dt6 so it wasn't over loading the rod but since i was using 40lb braid he said i was nuts oh yeah he did offer me $50 off on a new rod
i was using his newest blank the 1 he claims is better then glx or any other 400 plus rod
i also pointed out on all his eBay adds he compares his rods to rods 2 if not 3 times as expensive and says he puts ring lock guides on his rods so u can use braid
but when u use braid it better be that 2-6lb braid
Sept. 1 was his last email and he told me to send the blank to the company and have them send the new blank to him and he would redo me a new rod
i told him that was a fair compromise but on the warranty card which says lifetime warranty they want you to send them just the blank not guides reel seat and such
i told him what if i pay the shipping to you and i will give you $50 in pay pal for you to tear the rod down to just a blank and send it in the company
they wanted 20 enclosed to cover shipping and the other $30 was for him send send it back to me
i haven't heard a word from him in 3 days
so like steezy said if u want a rod that's worth a 150 dollars then this is a good rod but if something happens don't even bother trying to get him to warranty it even when the blank carries a lifetime warranty
he lost a loyal member I'm headed back to the big rod companies
DINK WHISPERER reply :
I TOLD YOU GUYS..................................................stick to your usuals rods, :
Dan: reply :
Well you can't expect much as far as warranties when you buy a custom rod. Have you tried calling the blank company? Maybe they will take the rod as a whole and look at the blank and determine that it was faulty. Gblanks says right off the bat that they aren't able to offer a warranty on their rods and that any issues with the blank must be taken up with the blank company.
Matt Jungblut reply :
he probally added that after this happened
i have talked to larry many times
i traded a shimano cumara for 1 g-blank
i also traded a Kistler II LTX for his best g-blank which is the rod that broke
i never exspected him to send me a new rod for free
but to knock $50 off the price of a new and i still have to pay shipping
i guess i am spoiled from all the other rod companys i have dealt with
Dan: reply :
added what? If you mean the warranty stuff, it's been like that since I ordered mine back in November 08
Matt Jungblut reply :
taken right from 1 of his ebay adds
COMES WITH LIFETIME GUARANTEE ON BLANK. MONEY BACK LESS RETURN SHIPPING IF NOT SATISFIED.
please enlighten me so he doesn't cover what the reel seat guides thread wrap handle
like i said i wasn't expecting a free rod
Dan i was like you
but when u get burned a few times by the same guy you learn quick there was another issue the first rod i got from him had a big run down the blank which i returned for a new rod
Dan: reply :
Quotetaken right from 1 of his ebay addsCOMES WITH LIFETIME GUARANTEE ON BLANK. MONEY BACK LESS RETURN SHIPPING IF NOT SATISFIED.
The guarantee is from the blank company.
steezy reply :
QuoteSo Steezy: how do you think that rod will handle a Zebco 33, the Platinum model of course
Doesnt anyone have a 202 from the late 60's or early 70's.
Sorry, thats a zebco 202 and it was before a lot of these guys were born. JK
Now back on topic.
I think it is unfortunate that some have had issue with the G-Blanks rods. Larry always communicated very well with me and he told me if the rod broke due to an issue with the blank that G-Blanks would replace it. Maybe I should have got more details about the warranty or got something in writing but I have minimal expectations of a small company selling $150 rods. I not saying anything negative I just take it for what it is.
Now if my custom from Otterods breaks, I will be all over Matt Davis at Otterods and Gary Loomis at NFC.
ArcticCat500 reply :
matthewj52001, sorry you had so much trouble, stuff like this makes me and everyone else think twice about ordering a rod from Larry. But I will say so far Im 100% satisfied with my rods, all 3 of them. If I do have a problem, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
flechero reply :
QuoteWell you can't expect much as far as warranties when you buy a custom rod.
That's a pretty crappy generalization, and not to mention complete BS. And I am sure that most other builders would take offense to that as well. If one of my rods breaks and I handle the warranties... with blank or component manufacturers directly. It's not a free replacement if the blank fails, but it would be if my workmanship was the fault that caused the failure.
Respectfully, all you warranty bashers are out of your minds. Let's first look at the facts in this case:
$150 custom rod. That's about what most of us charge in labor alone.
The blank is warranted by the manufacturer, ups doesn't chip in and ship for free, even when it's under warranty. Expect shipping charges most of the time.
His warranty is weak, but he isn't hiding anything... if you weren't satisfied, before it broke, you could have returned it... that's actually pretty generous.
Anyone who is looking to buy a cheap custom is going to need to pay attention to what the ads say. Because when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Think of it this way, you saved so much on the first few "great deals" that it's like you bought 2 at the normal price and got the 3rd one free... the broken one was just a trial. But hey, for $100 you can get #5... and still only have normal price in it.
If you want a no questions asked no fault replacement policy, buy shimano rods.
I'm sure that won't be a popular post but it needed to be said.
steezy reply :
QuoteIf you want a no questions asked no fault replacement policy, buy shimano rods.
Or G. Loomis and use their Xpeditor replacement program.
Dan: reply :
QuoteQuoteWell you can't expect much as far as warranties when you buy a custom rod.That's a pretty crappy generalization, and not to mention complete BS. And I am sure that most other builders would take offense to that as well. If one of my rods breaks and I handle the warranties... with blank or component manufacturers directly. It's not a free replacement if the blank fails, but it would be if my workmanship was the fault that caused the failure.
Respectfully, all you warranty bashers are out of your minds. Let's first look at the facts in this case:
$150 custom rod. That's about what most of us charge in labor alone.
The blank is warranted by the manufacturer, ups doesn't chip in and ship for free, even when it's under warranty. Expect shipping charges most of the time.
His warranty is weak, but he isn't hiding anything... if you weren't satisfied, before it broke, you could have returned it... that's actually pretty generous.
Anyone who is looking to buy a cheap custom is going to need to pay attention to what the ads say. Because when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Think of it this way, you saved so much on the first few "great deals" that it's like you bought 2 at the normal price and got the 3rd one free... the broken one was just a trial. But hey, for $100 you can get #5... and still only have normal price in it.
If you want a no questions asked no fault replacement policy, buy shimano rods.
I'm sure that won't be a popular post but it needed to be said.
I should have said that you shouldn't expect the same type of warranties that you get from the big manufacturers.
rubba bubba reply :
Wow, a lot of angst in this thread.
I need something to cheer me up now. Hmmm, maybe I'll go read one of Sweet Daddy's posts..... ;D ;D
petervd reply :
QuoteQuoteI thought this rod was supposed to be as good a GLX or Steez. Since you aren't going to make a comparison, I guess it didn't turn out to be true.Who said or thought it was supposed to be "as good a GLX or Steez"?
I never thougt it would be and if I ever made any reference to that it was not intentional. I recall one time I posted that I would get one and compare it to a glx or steez but I was not implying I thought it was as good and probably should have never made that statement.
IMHO, its a good rod.
It was your posts and the owner of G-Blanks guaranteed a rod better than G-looms and Steez. So where is the comparison? You said you were going to do a comparison.
QuoteQuoteQuoteI just talked to Larry at G-blanks and he says he can make me a rod I will like better than my loomis GLX rods for $200. He is checking on a grip that I like and if he can do it I think Im going to give it a try.Wont be the first time I gambled $200 and if its a nice rod I will save over $100 compared to another GLX.
Seeing as how you were kind of anti at the begining of this thread, please let us know how you like the rod. I am thinking of getting one too, and your opinion would go a long way!
I wasn't really "anti", I just did not have a good understanding of the g-blanks product and their pricing but after taking to Larry on the phone and letting him explain their product and how he could pretty much make exactly what I want, I now understand and believe it. If what he told me is correct, they are not going to get rich anytime soon. I think they are trying to establish a name and reputation for now. Its a good plan, if you sell a good product and stand behind it, you will get more customers and the money will come.
Hopefully Larry will get back to me soon and confirm my requirements so I can place my order. I will definitely post a comparison to my Steez and Loomis GLX rods.
and again.
QuoteI just placed an order with Larry Mitchell at G-Blanks for a custom rod per these specs:6' Medium Heavy Casting Rod
Shikari Blank
Split Foam Grip (like Steez)
Split style reel seat
H-Ring ringlocks guides
NO Logo or Markings
$150 + $20 shipping
Completion and Delivery in 3 to 4 weeks.
I will post a comparison review (to my Steez and Loomis GLX) as soon as I get the rod.
Here you are saying that the owner of G-Blanks told you that his rod will be better than both the G-loomis and Steez. So is it? or is it not?
QuoteWell Larry Mitchell at G-Blanks told me, " you will like our rod with the Shikari (or Rainshadow) even better than your Steez or GLX rods".So I decided to throw $150 at G-Blanks just to find out first hand for myself if there rods were up to snuff. Won't be the first $150 Ive ever thrown away.
Don't worry, if it ain't as great as they claim I will will trash it and let everyone know how bad it feels.
If I don't love it then it will be posted forsale for the price I paid plus shipping.
BTW, I just bought another GLX on ebay for $245 (along with another core 50 for $325) and I'll keep buying GLX's until someone produces something better.
and another....
QuoteI just talked to Larry at G-blanks and he says he can make me a rod I will like better than my loomis GLX rods for $200. He is checking on a grip that I like and if he can do it I think Im going to give it a try.Wont be the first time I gambled $200 and if its a nice rod I will save over $100 compared to another GLX.
SirSnookalot reply :
I won't buy any rod online period! The money saved is not always worth the aggravation one may go thru compared to buying from a brick and mortar dealer.
Several weeks ago I bought a custom rod from a local rod builder, hated it after 1 outing, returned it for a full refund. I won't knock the product but it just was not what I wanted. I would buy from this store again without reservation, the owner has proved that he has integrity.
Never have had a rod break on me that wasn't my fault in the first place, exception was a rod mfg. defect from a popular rod company, BPS gave me an option exchange or full refund.
steezy reply :
Wow, petervd has way to much time free time, thats a lot of research.
I wont even try to address all the piece parts of posts that petervd pieced together, without seeing all the posts involved it is impossible to understand the context of all the statements.
I will stand behind my response to J Francho in this thread where I said, "I recall one time I posted that I would get one and compare it to a glx or steez but I was not implying I thought it was as good and probably should have never made that statement".
I knew I should not have posted this review. So much for trying to be helpful.
I hope I provided some useful info about the G-Blanks rod.
Gotta feeling this thread is about to die, RIP!
.RM. reply :
As another custom rod builder I agree with flechero's post 100%.QuoteQuoteWell you can't expect much as far as warranties when you buy a custom rod.That's a pretty crappy generalization, and not to mention complete BS. And I am sure that most other builders would take offense to that as well. If one of my rods breaks and I handle the warranties... with blank or component manufacturers directly. It's not a free replacement if the blank fails, but it would be if my workmanship was the fault that caused the failure.
Respectfully, all you warranty bashers are out of your minds. Let's first look at the facts in this case:
$150 custom rod. That's about what most of us charge in labor alone.
The blank is warranted by the manufacturer, ups doesn't chip in and ship for free, even when it's under warranty. Expect shipping charges most of the time.
His warranty is weak, but he isn't hiding anything... if you weren't satisfied, before it broke, you could have returned it... that's actually pretty generous.
Anyone who is looking to buy a cheap custom is going to need to pay attention to what the ads say. Because when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Think of it this way, you saved so much on the first few "great deals" that it's like you bought 2 at the normal price and got the 3rd one free... the broken one was just a trial. But hey, for $100 you can get #5... and still only have normal price in it.
If you want a no questions asked no fault replacement policy, buy shimano rods.
I'm sure that won't be a popular post but it needed to be said.
I will add one more thought, that you didn't buy a "Custom" rod..
You bought a manufactured handcrafted rod. You were not physically taking any measurements, nor did he try to get any..The builder is doing what loomis use to do, run on a list of specs for different lengths and actions...
The RX8 and 8+ blanks are nice blanks and can build a really light and sensitive (via balancing) rods when the proper measurements are taken, and the reel is ACTUALLY used to help in the build...
As far as being as well built as a GLX or IMX that isn't tough at all, especially from a true quality custom rod builder..
Thanks flechero for posting those thoughts......
Tight Lines!!!!
steezy reply :
RM, correct its not exactly custom but I wont say anything neg or against a builder or their methods on an open forum unless they really did me wrong and it was obvious to everyone. The "Shikari" blank works and feels good so its still a good rod.
.RM. reply :
As posted...
QuoteGblanks says right off the bat that they aren't able to offer a warranty on their rods and that any issues with the blank must be taken up with the blank company.
steezy,
As you have seen the warranty from the company isn't what a lot of the OTHER rod companies offer. They are like many custom rod shops, limited lifetime by the blank mfg. and usually 1 year on the builders components and mfg.
Now that being said, I do know that one of the loomis brothers purchased Shikäri back about 3-4 years ago now. My problem with the company is how can they say that any blank issues should be addressed to/by the blank mfg, when that company is out of business and any blanks that were purchased from them were WITHOUT warranties...
I own an original SHXi blank.
It probably is a good rod, until it something goes wrong with the blank and nowhere is the blank company found.
For you I hope the blank never fails.
For those that don't know about the Tharp cut split seats, Brad Tharp a custom builder in southeast Kansas started testing hand cut split seats (mostly because Fuji quit selling skeleton baitcasting reel seats) on the Shikäri high end blanks SHXi, SH1.
Had a big bunch of failures right in the middle of the seat. That's the Tharp seat...
Tight Lines!!!
flechero reply :
QuoteI wont say anything neg or against a builder or their methods....
Just for clarity's sake, MY POST WAS PURELY DIRECTED AT THOSE THAT BASHED THE WARRANTY. My comments were in no way meant to imply anything (good or bad) about the build quality or the builder in question.
Chris W reply :
QuoteQuoteIf I remember correctly, I think that someone else implied that it was as good as a GLX and/or a Steez.Here is one such comment:
QuoteThe one I just had made he told me 4 weeks but had it done in 3 weeks, don't you love it when you get one sooner. Great rod too by the way and I have owned them all presently I have 11 Glx's 3 Imx's 2 Kistler Helium LTX II, 4 Falcon Expert series, 3 Falcon Lowriders, and 1 Powell Frog Rod, the G Blanks is build every bit as good if not better than all of these. I am sure that this will not be my last G Blanks
That is my quote and if you notice I am commenting on the building quality, no where in that post does it say it is a more sensitive rod. It is a well built rod, will it replace my GLX's absolutely not, for what I had that rod built for it is great. He is making me 2 more right now. They are a very well made rod.
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