After a few years I finally bit the bullet and acquired a Glass Master. The Glass Master series is Tiemco's premium fiberglass rod series. The prices depending on the model is around $650-700.
It's not the new 2020 version. This is said to be a bit faster (from what I understand in the video at the top of this topic) and only available in 7.5ft. It's also a bit 'cheaper' at around $475.
The one I got is the older series with the interesting length 7.7ft #3 in four pieces. This series is no longer made so the supply will dry out soon. There's also the six piece NSF (Naoto Shibuya) version which is supposed to be very much like the bamboo rods Shibuya makes. The action is said to be very slow parabolic. Not sure if the NSF version is still made.
The action is very smooth progressive. The tip is soft allowing short casts very easy to accomplish. The blank is slightly sanded similar to the new four piece Epic blanks. The color is dark brown, similar to the 'stout' color of Chris Barclay's p-series. I really love the smaller 'Winston Stalker' grip with cork seat and ring and cap hardware.
The build quality is quite good for a factory built rod. The only thing I can distinguish from custom built rod is the quality of the cork used. If needed it's easy to replace the grip as the butt piece has no guides. The guides are probably not Snake Brand but I'm not knowledgeable enough to see if they are or if not which brand. The rod comes in a nice and light fiberglass tube. The rod weighs 2.3 Oz.
Looking forward to do some more casting and eventually fishing in a gin clear mountain stream. Maybe in the Spanish Pyrenees this spring.
Edit:
rod is made in Korea. Probably where all the big names (Hardy, Loop, etc.) are made.