This is a good question, and although I have 6 Epics and 2 CTS Quartz rods, I can't answer it from experience (only from my communications with CTS directly). My 2 CTS Quartz rods are custom blanks I designed myself. They are radical departures from the standard CTS Quartz blanks.
During my design communications with CTS, I asked them about how the heavier Epics I currently own compare with the CTS blanks so that I had some reference from which I could modify the Quartz blanks. That was really useful info that allowed me to get very close to what I wanted on the first "prototype" rod. For instance, they told me the Epic 888 is the CTS Quartz 990 contracted down to 8'8". (Not simply chopped by 4 inches off the tip or butt, but the taper was shortened in proportion.)
In your shoes, I'd send the guys at CTS a direct email and ask them for the comparisons in the blanks you're interested in. They are the guys who can tell you exactly what you'll get out of their blanks. (If you do this, please come back here and let us know what you found out.)
Cheers, Graeme
(PS - I ended up with a phenomenal pair of 8' single piece 10wt 'glass rods, the first being a 9/10 and the second being a 10/11 in my opinion.)
|