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Post 15 Jul 2021, 12:56 • #1 
Guide
Joined: 07/22/20
Posts: 128
Location: US-CA
My understanding is vintage firearms often suffer in value when trying to "improve" their condition (ie re-bluing, re-finishing the stock, etc). Do vintage fly rods suffer the same decrease in collectibility / value when "restored"?


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Post 15 Jul 2021, 13:10 • #2 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 04/20/07
Posts: 8920
Location: US-ME
More or less, yes. But many aren't worth enough to be concerned about that, particularly if the rod is in poor condition for fishing.


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Post 15 Jul 2021, 14:55 • #3 
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Joined: 11/06/17
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Location: South of Joplin
My view on tackle is- generally if a fiberglass fly rod is bad enough to need restoring it has little value anyway.
It's not like these are one of a kind, or even hand made by a master that had a lifetime production of 50. They are post WW2 plastic production toys, no matter how much we like them or try to romance them.
Actually I think that bit about need restoration applies to all things, collectors pay most for mint or near mint and walk away from ragged and worn in all but the rarest items.


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Post 17 Jul 2021, 07:57 • #4 
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Joined: 12/05/06
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Location: US-PA
An exception in the absence of a mint unused example might be a restoration by the original builder, IF they still exist.

That is one of the reasons any Orvis & Winston stuff in my collection has always gone back to the factory.


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Post 17 Jul 2021, 09:09 • #5 
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Joined: 08/10/05
Posts: 19076
Location: downtown Bulverde, Texas
Restoration isn't the usual goal with glass rods - rebuilding to fish is normal.
Restoration implies hiring a pro or trying to make an old rod look new and of course be usable.
No reason not to make your rod look original if you can find correct thread, etc. But again, with glass, it's normally a case of form follows function.


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Post 17 Jul 2021, 09:22 • #6 
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Joined: 02/06/16
Posts: 328
Location: US
Caveat: if you an have it “restored” by the original maker, value doesn’t suffer too much but get a letter for provenance.


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Post 19 Jul 2021, 00:26 • #7 
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Joined: 01/10/06
Posts: 7811
Location: Holly Springs, NC
BrianN wrote:
Do vintage fly rods suffer the same decrease in collectibility / value when "restored"?

Don't lose sleep about it. Fly rods should go fishing and be kept in functional condition. Besides, collectible fly rods are few and far between.

Most rod companies sold fiberglass rods because they could readily make them in volume. A hallmark of anything collectible, whether it is a bench made fly reel, a sports car, or fine furniture is how much time and effort craftsmen spent on the item's creation. 'Collectible' encompasses very few fiberglass rods (or graphite, or cane for that matter). As noted above, if a collectible rod needs restoration the market value has already crashed. Restoration won't hurt. Still, if a fiberglass rod is truly 'collectible', it would be nice if the work is done by someone that won't wiff.

Most fiberglass rods are better classified as 'desirable'. They have more value on the water than as an investment. A desirable rod in top fishing condition is more valuable than a ruined one. If the original rod company (or their successor) can restore the rod with original materials and knowledge, so much the better. But most experienced rod builders can do a satisfactory rebuild.

The most important category is 'sentimental'. The fly rod your grandfather gave to your father when he enlisted. Your uncle's trout rod. That favorite rod you want to give to your grandchild. Sentimental rods can't be replaced. The market value may be nominal, but getting the rod right is important. Sentimental rods are best restored by professionals.


Tom


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Post 19 Jul 2021, 15:24 • #8 
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Joined: 02/10/07
Posts: 1632
Location: The Netherlands
Amen to Tom's comments


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