I recently built a casting rod from an All Star Elite graphite blank (model BE785C). When I got done I noticed a popping and/or creaking noise around the second and third guide from the butt. Thinking that one of the guide feet was slipping I began removing guides to see if I could isolate the problem. Well I got them all off and I still have the popping noise. Could this be a defective blank? Is it normal for a blank to make a popping noise when it is flexed?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Lee.........

I had that happen once on a Lamiglas blank. Turned out it was paint on the inside of the blank that had gotten in there and was flaking off. It would rub the sides of the blank every time it was flexed. I ran a dowel rod into it and knocked the offending chip out. Never uttered another sound. Just an idea.

Lee

I would bet the problem is a loose portion under the grip or the reel seat is loose on the bushings or the bushings are loose on the rod. The reel seat loose on the bushings most likely. The sound is eminating from the rod further up. So it sounds like thats where the creak is. The creak vibrates the rod, the rod in turn vibrates the air and makes the noise. I have never heard of a SINGLE piece blank creak, but a ferrules can creak. Just a guess.

Bill Doherty

There is also the possibility that it is just the paint on the blank itself. I have had this happen on quite a few blanks which were covered with a heavy paint/finish. As the rod flexed the paint "squeaked". Could never detect where it was coming from. But it was there on the naked blank and I could not find any obstructions inside. In most of these cases I found the paint to be a bit on the soft side (thumbnail would dent it). This may or may not be your problem but it's another place you could look. The items mentioned above are also very possible cuprits.

.....................

This happened to me and when I spent time locating the squeak, I noticed that the wrap was not as tight as it should be and I re did the wrap and finish and all is well.