Whew...thanks guys, I was starting to feel like a twit for asking what I thought was a reasonable question. It would be foolhardy to suggest the "steak at a fast food price" nonsense considering that I'm not asking the best price on lower-end rod. I'm already resigned to the fact that there will be hundreds (and hundreds) of dollars sunk into this rod, and yes...hard-earned dollars squeezed out of what are some tough times. It is also patronizing for Sonny to suggest that I buy based on name-brands alone....he has never met, or fished with me. If he knew me, he would know that I try rods before I buy them, and want what feels right the first time. That has meant lower-end Lamiglas rods for their sweet action with dry flies, and it has also meant Sage TCR for beating western winds and hopper/dropper set-ups. It is (hopefully) a Z-Axis this time, new or used....this year or next.
Mumbles/dpenrod, thanks for chiming-in. Sonny-if it were a matter of slinging plastic around, I would have done that long ago and this thread wouldn't be here. I buy things when I have the money for them, and no sooner.
Let's leave it at that.