Nobby wrote:I have an idea that all later rods from Marco were whipped in plain black, but certainly earlier Tests were whipped in what I've always taken to be yellow and black 'twist' often called jasper, a southern nick-name for a wasp,.... but the term seems to be applied to all twists these days.
Yes, that is an original butt ring...bit small, aren't they?
As to the rings; Marco were one of the few makers to use a 'slightly' high stand-off ring ( along with Hardy and Eggingtons ) that had straight supports at about 45 degrees from the feet. It's impossible to source these now, though I did hear rumours of a hoard in South wales, which made me wonder if Anglers Supplies in Cardiff might be able to help as the current owners father bought a HUGE loads of unwanted spares from Marco apparently.
The rings in question are low enough that in the smaller sizes the ring actually touches the cane making varnishing a real pain.....
I must say those don't actually look like the rings in question so they might be replacements or maybe Marco stopped using them on the later rods, though I do have a black-whipped Test at ten foot six that still has the 45 degree ones.
Unless it's the same rod doing the rounds...don't laugh it happen more than you might think...I have seen a 12 foot Test with a shorter extra tip twice now on eBay.......
Interesting comments, thanks Nobby. The rod belongs to a friend and I will probably re-whip in a black and white twist (I have a few reels of original stuff) but subject to what the owner thinks. I got a great finish with my Aspindale.
Yes, that butt ring is a bit ridiculous but it's in great condition (once cleaned up) so that will go back on. The photos are a bit misleading and the rings are the 45 degree Bells life ones. Funny enough, I had a big bag of them and have just re whipped a Black Seal using them. I have a couple left and have had a generous offer following my original post so should be able to replicate to original. I quite like them actually for a light leger rod.
One of these days I am going to go down to South Wales and ask if I can spend an hour rooting around all that old stock!
Finally, this could well be the same rod that you saw on ebay as I
think it was a bargain purchase because it was collect only, but I could be wrong on that one! Thanks for all your help again Nobby and best wishes.