I've never tried building a rod, but have tried to fix quite a few. I have a St. Croix pack rod that was over $100, but otherwise like the value for dollar from Scheel's guide series and One series. My costliest rod is a St. Croix #8 fly rod (for walleyes and northerns) that was a bit over $200...but my most PRECIOUS rods are the old Shakespear Wonderglass rods of my Dad's and his Dad. Once in a great while I will take one of them out for bass or trout, but don't want to lose or damage them.