Top of the day, or evening, to all and thanks for responding to clarify.
Through my research, I have learned that the old Garcia Conolon rods were given a “star” rating, with no stars being the top quality and five stars given to the bottom quality rods. This is the inverse of what one, at least me, would normally think. Are any of you familiar with their vintage rating system? I would feel more comfortable with knowledge gained from you qualified, rod building veterans than other web unknowns.
Thank you for your time, concern, knowledge and reply.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

I've handled and rebuilt a lot of the 5-Star Conolon rods, but never seen any of them "rated" any less. I was under the assumption that their 5-Star rod series was just that - a product series.

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Thank you, Tom. You are always a wealth of information and your input is graciously respected. I am experiencing difficulty locating more information regarding the significance of their, we’ll just say, “Star identification system”. I would think, and most of you know by now I am guilty of over-thinking, the stars represent the use of different components, agate guides, better cork, ferrules, painted cosmetically blemished blanks (after Garcia merged) and such. It would be nice to learn how to decode the stars.
Since you have worked on so many Garcia Conolon rods, maybe you can enlighten me as to why the two piece casting rod (no stars) I have is split between the front of the reel seat and the foregrip rather than mid rod, leaving a 15in butt with a 70in tip section. Plugging in different rods to the same handle or vice versa? Initially, I assumed it to be a one piece rod until starting to work on it. It also has a white foam foregrip which I would think, here I go yet again, indicates a later production rod. Any ideas?
Thanks!

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

the five star conolons were the best of the time(from garcia conolon). 4 star were slightly less impressive, three and two star likewise being slightly less prestigious. some blanks were shared throughout a lineup for all x-star ratings. guides, finish, thread wrap, handle/fitting changed to met the specs. i believe conolon, prior to garcia's acquisition, did not use the star ratings.

Woody, thank you for taking the time to offer your input and insight. I believe you are correct in that Conolon did not use the star designations prior to Garcia joining forces. Five stars being the top of the line would seem more universally accepted. While the no-star, black rod I have used less expensive guides without inserts, all the wraps are spaced spiraled as was common back then and the reel seat / ferrule assembly appears to be the old nickel / silver which easily cleaned up very nicely. Being a 12 to 20lb rod, I did add an underwrap though.
Thanks again and hopefully receive more comments from others in-the-know on the site.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

Offset ferrules offer/offered some advantages. During that time, ferrules were generally made of chrome over brass or aluminum, both of which are heavier than glass. So the lower you could put the ferrule on the rod the less rod balance was affected. As long as you can handle-transport-store the longest section, this is not at all a bad way to do things, even today, although modern integral glass or graphite ferrules aren't going to affect balance or swing weight by anywhere near the same amount as metal ferrules do.

Some Conolon rods, and many others of the same time period, were ferruled at the forward end of the reel seat with the fore grip located on the upper rod section. These were most often shorter boat rods and being able to detach the handle and attached reel allowed for easier storage, while the 4 to 5 foot top section was still short enough to transport for most people.

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Good info and makes sense. Thanks, Tom.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.