Thank you Dleo6446. I am going to take your advise and re-do the rod. You are correct I believe about the boo. No nicks, decent color, light blond and a very straight rod with both tips. The years in the rafters in the basement next to the floor appears to have done no harm to the rod. The reel seat is is in very fine shape and the cork has no flaws at all. No hooks set into it or chunks out of it. I think I will use the reel seat and cork first out, strip the rod, replace and add guides as outlined in "how to" in another column I read here and try it out. If it is as good as I think it may be, I can look at new reel set and handle later. Wueation: Is there a online store to buy guides? I would like an agate guide for the stripper and black for the snakes and tip. I very much appreciate your help and encouragement Dleo, I look forward to showing you the finish product someday soon. Jonezee