Some single-tip only rods from current makers seem to be generally promoted as "value-priced" offerings, and many prospective buyers feel an aversion
to any new rod not offered by its maker as standard with two (preferrably book-matched) tips. The price differential of the two offerings seems high relative
to the respective costs. The standard two-tip rod price generally includes more bling, and perhaps different tapers, perhaps not. The heart and soul of a
fishing rod isn't the bling, its the taper, build quality and cosmetics (many of us prefer minimalist bling, or what we like to think of as studied,
simple, understated elegance). I wonder what opinions might be about resurrecting an older business model. I see a few examples from the heyday of bamboo when
production makers such as Winston would routinely offer one tip as standard, with a second available as an option priced at about 30-35% of the price of the
"rod with single tip". Those rods were made to be fished, of course, not fondled. So (say) standard rod with one tip = $150, second tip = $55.
Would a modern top-tier maker cannibalize his own two-tip sales if he offered what was a standard model, with all standard cosmetics but only one tip, at a price above a "value-priced" one-tipper, and with a second tip available for later purchase, priced such that the cumulative "one-tip-rod + second-tip-later" price was just a fraction higher than the new price of a two-tipper? Book matching of a later tip (and the associated inventory management of culms, strips and perhaps tips) could be added in at another premium. One point of reference could be the price and method(s) of replacing a broken tip for a top tier modern maker's rod originally sold with two tips (perhaps book-matched). It seems like a "compare and contrast the 1950's business models of Payne versus Winston" business class assigment. Problems of ferrule fit and exact wrap/guide placement could be accommodated with scheduling and a reliable carrier providing real insurance.
Enthusiastic hobbyists often produce great single tips rods, hand-planed, with tiny pressed nodes, no glue lines and flawless wraps and varnish...and only one tip. If they sell a rod, it's often priced in the mid $100's.
What do YOU have to say about this?
Tight Lines!
Alistair
Would a modern top-tier maker cannibalize his own two-tip sales if he offered what was a standard model, with all standard cosmetics but only one tip, at a price above a "value-priced" one-tipper, and with a second tip available for later purchase, priced such that the cumulative "one-tip-rod + second-tip-later" price was just a fraction higher than the new price of a two-tipper? Book matching of a later tip (and the associated inventory management of culms, strips and perhaps tips) could be added in at another premium. One point of reference could be the price and method(s) of replacing a broken tip for a top tier modern maker's rod originally sold with two tips (perhaps book-matched). It seems like a "compare and contrast the 1950's business models of Payne versus Winston" business class assigment. Problems of ferrule fit and exact wrap/guide placement could be accommodated with scheduling and a reliable carrier providing real insurance.
Enthusiastic hobbyists often produce great single tips rods, hand-planed, with tiny pressed nodes, no glue lines and flawless wraps and varnish...and only one tip. If they sell a rod, it's often priced in the mid $100's.
What do YOU have to say about this?
Tight Lines!
Alistair
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