I recently looked up the Loomis GL3. The blank is a mahogany color. I thought the older GL3 blanks were a different color. Does anyone know? Also, how would you compare a GL3 rod to an IMX or GLX of the same length and weight?
Thanks.
Deezel
Are you sure the mahogany colored rod was in fact a GL3? I ask because I had a IM6 GLoomis rod that was designated as such “IM6” it was pre GL3 and "mahogany colored.
I owned a GL3 from their first year of mfg. It was gloss black…not matte like later models.
I’ve never cast a GLX but have owned several IMX and GL3’s IMO the GL3 is a faster rod than the IMX but both are fine rods.
Hi Jerry,
Thanks. I just re-looked at the description of the GL3. It is ‘mahogany’. For some reason I thought the original color was matte black. I’m asking because I recently bought a blank that is supposed to be a GL3 and is matte black(charcoal). I’m guessing the blank is about 6-7 years old, hence my question.
Deezel
Deezel,
I built a GL3 last winter and it has a mahagony color. I am assuming it is a newer blank as I purchased it from Cabelas in December '06. I’ve never fished the IMX or GLX but I can tell you I love the GL3. I’ll be interested to see what kind of response you get on the GLX compared to the GL3. I am considering building a GLX, but if the GL3 is as fast I may build another GL3.
OK…I’ve not paid attention for a while. You’re saying new GL3’s are mahogany?
The only thing I’m reasonably sure of is the “original”, first year of production GL3 had a gloss black finish. …I did have one of those.
Before that I built a rod on a Loomis blank that was redish brown (mahogany?). It was IM6 material as is/was the GL3
PA Angler,
About 5-6 years ago I bought a 9’, 5wt GLX. At the time, and after a couple of months (off and on) of use, I realized it was just too fast for me and I sold it. In the right hands, and I witnessed this myself, it was a canon. Now, I would like to have it back again because I think my casting ability is better and I can more appreciate the strengths of that rod. I cannot compare the GLX to the GL3 because I’ve not cast the GL3. Yes, the new GL3s are mahogany in color. However, I was told the blank I just got was a GL3 even though it is matte black. That, and from what I remember, is the basis for my question about the early models being this color. Regardless of what it is, if it comes close to the action of the GLX, I’d be ecstatic.
I think I’ll probably just call Loomis.
Deezel
I bought My GL3 last year and it is matte black.
I love that rod…
We had 12, 9ft, 6wt, GL3 in our casting school. All mat black. The IMX was a very fast and stiff rod, I had a few. The GLX was a finessed tip version of it, much more of a ‘progressive’ rod. The GL3 was a lower priced and lower quality rod, about half the cost of the GLX. The GL3 however was a great value and a solid workhorse rod. One of the best values they ever made.
Guys,
Thanks for the responses. I called Loomis and they confirmed that the original GL3 was in a matte black(charcoal).
JC - I have a question based on your comment and, with your knowledge of the industry, perhaps you will answer this. You wrote,
“The GL3 was a lower priced and lower quality rod, about half the cost of the GLX”.
The cosmetics on the GLX were relatively simple: single foot guides, one color wraps, graphite reel seat, quality cork grip, simple rod sock and tube. So what, aside from the promotional aspect, made the GLX double the price of the GL3? Maybe I’m way off base but wouldn’t the mold for the graphite, manhours to build, the cosmetics and tube be about the same? Maybe it’s the price of graphite? Do you know or would you venture a guess about what makes the GLX close to double the price of the GL3?
Seems I’m hijacking my own thread but the original question’s been answered.
Deezel
We were on the pro staff at the time. Gary explained that the cost of the material that went into the GLX was very expensive compared to the GL3. Remember, the cost of a rod is approx doubled each time it moves thru the sales network. A cost of twenty dollars more for graphite per rod can have a significant effect on the ‘retail’ price.
Thanks. That’s interesting.
Deezel