I have always liked LL Bean , was thinking about one of their bamboo rods. The currant catalog says they are made by Gary Lacey. Is he good or great? I need
some opinions, Thanks.
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LL Bean Bamboo
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 hexfly |
LL Bean Bamboo |
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Posts: 11 03/25/2009 18:26 |
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bank feeder |
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Posts: 35 03/25/2009 18:45 |
Hexfly, I've never held one, but they sure look beautiful. If you go to youtube.com and search gary lacey bamboo you can watch a 5 minute piece on Gary
and his rods, he is also building and selling the new Granger rods ( I believe). I have heard great things about his work.
Bank Feeder |
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oldfishbrain |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 1313 03/25/2009 22:08 |
I own two rods made by Gary. I don't think there is any question that he is one of the best. Excellent tapers and fantastic cosmetics.
Edit: To clarify, I have no experience with LL Bean rods. My comment is related to the Lacey Royals.
Maker of light line nodeless bamboo fly rods
avardanis@sympatico.ca
Last Edited By: oldfishbrain 03/27/2009 08:41.
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cwood |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 540 03/26/2009 08:16 |
There are a lot of makers worth investigating that offer rods at that price or less. I recommend you poke around a little before committing to an LL Bean rod.
CWood
Last Edited By: cwood 03/26/2009 21:29.
Edited 3 times.
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firehole |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 3801 03/26/2009 13:05 Local user |
It always takes two to tangle as the old saying goes. Gary's been trying to balance his business with taking care of his seriously ill wife and I mean
serious. Sometimes things may go haywire and lets not forget buyers are not always lilly white either. Bottom line he builds rods up there with very best which
includes Aroner, Carpenter and Kusse. Here's a pic of my Lacey Royal Browntone FE Thomas taper 8' 4/2 6wt. He makes all the hardware for his Royals not
sure about Beans. He's very talented which is noted by Len Codella(rod dealer) accolades.
Dennis This is one of 6 Royals and Grangers I own. I've never had a problem with him. The reel is a Adams Lacey. 
Last Edited By: firehole 03/26/2009 13:19.
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mattcliff |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 94 03/26/2009 13:35 |
I had Gary restore a Granger for me a couple years ago. Bottom line:
Communication could have been better. Quality of work was outstanding. Price was great (he never said anything, but I assumed he was giving me a deal because of the delay). |
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Trout120 |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 950 03/26/2009 16:25 |
The Bean rods are nothing like an Aroner, etc. and are way overpriced.
Trout120 |
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firehole |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 3803 03/26/2009 16:45 Local user |
Trout120,
You're entitled to your opinion but I wasn't saying the Beans compare to Aroner's but his Lacey Royals sure do. I've owned both. Beans overpriced I doubt it and would take them over a Orvis for $400-500 more. Pretty hard to beat those Goodwin Granger tapers which the Beans have. Dennis |
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 pcg |
Clarification | #8 | ||
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Posts: 2436 03/26/2009 17:02 Admin |
Cwood, you write, "I would be banned since you can't be honest and critical at the same time on this forum."
That's not true. Truly objective comments are always welcome. There's a fine though between objectivity & folks going after each other. The pattern that we see repeatedly is that someone will comment, someone else will write "that's not true & you're clueless," & there will be a reply to that, almost always something like, "you're wrong, wrong, wrong & you & I both know it!" & then the battle begins. Too many of these get out of hand seemingly in moments. To clarify, discussions should be conducted in a civil and mature way. The forum rules are actually Yuku rules, not some invention by Moderators. When you become a member, as everyone here is, you agree to the following (and I quote Yuku directly): The following guidelines outline behavior that is not acceptable on these forums. Harassment - We will not tolerate insults, attacks, threats, and/or denigration from any member on another member or a member of staff at any time. We have zero tolerance for taking an argument about a any topic to a personal level. Name calling, repeated critical and sharply negative posts toward a forum member, flaming, or slanderous posts are not acceptable. Disruption - We will not tolerate posts which are intended to disrupt the topic of a serious conversation or steer the subject away from the focus of the topic. Disruption can include harassment, multiple posting of the same post and posting completely off topic or unwelcome messages. Disruption can also include topics designed to reopen issues that have been dealt with and closed (not including reoccurring bugs). Obscenity - As a community with a diverse variety of members, age groups and visitors, we ask that our members post without using vulgarity. Vulgarity not only includes vulgar language and pictures but also sexist, racist, anti-religious and homophobic language which may offend other members. Posting words using spaces to get around the profanity filter is totally unacceptable and may result in being banned. |
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Bob M |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 3 03/26/2009 17:31 |
I've got two rods and a reel from Gary and a third rod on the way. He's a good guy and I like both rods that he built. The rod on the way will be an
8' 8-wt 3/2 semi-parabolic. It is intended for the regular AK trips and may see a bit of salt or landlocked striped bass. I'm sure that this rod will
be fine too.
"He's got a lot going on" is an understatement. I'm not all that anxious to receive a rod that's on order. If it comes in earlier or later, it's no big deal. There are 'enough' other rods & reels to 'tide me over' until it arrives. It's nice that he's within driving distance. Business is conducted face to face, often in his shop. It's an amazing place where really gorgeous things are constructed from bits of wood and metal. Some of the work he does is unique. You should see the special orders for the cigar company. Gierach cautioned us about builders in general and Gary fits well within the group. He's got a good sense of humor and no offense was taken at his referring to an overlong P et M as a 'tomato stake'. It probably is, but it does a pretty good job of flinging line and, who knows, I might have a tomato bush needing some help one day. |
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Trout120 |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 951 03/26/2009 22:23 |
Hi Dennis,
The thread is about the regular Bean rods and I stated my opinion. I see the regular Bean bamboo when I visit the local store and it's nothing and is not promoted to be anything like an Aroner, Carpenter, etc. I'm comparing apples to apples. Regarding the Lacey Royals, they are spectacular rods and rank among the best, but this tread isn't about them. Trout120 |
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jz2 |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 189 03/28/2009 01:08 |
there is a review of the rod posted on the LL Bean site
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firehole |
#12 | |||
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Posts: 3807 03/28/2009 10:07 Local user |
Remember more than 100 rods have been sold. If there were more reviews positive or negative it would be valuable but there isn't. One review plus you
don't even know if the person even owned the rod. I could write a review for something I didn't own. I'm sure if there was substandard rods being
produced Bean would no longer be contracting with Gary on the contrary after the standard rods were on the market for more than year Bean asked Gary to build
25 Bean Anniversary rods with a $2500 price tag.
Dennis
Last Edited By: firehole 03/28/2009 10:25.
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fingernail |
re | #13 | ||
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Posts: 1575 03/28/2009 12:18 |
I think trout was on point, great rod little pricey, I'm sure he makes great rods, but selling over 100 and so forth doesn't float, look at Zhu and co.
still kickin it and I'm sure they will still be around. I've seen a few Lacey Bean rods in Maine, tourist go crazy for anything coming out of Freeport.
The store is in a great location. but I guess the contrary can be said about all things. They have a few newer Winston pentas at the flag store. Yikes!
If I didn't know Winstons any better I would think people are crazy for loving them so much. I guess in all reality, if you want a Bean bamboo rod go for it, if you just want a great fishing rod and save some bread, look around there are some great makers here on this board and all across the world that can make you the same quality at a forth of the price. Please don't get me wrong, I like Gary he's a great guy, very helpful and talented, but I can't turn a monkey into an elephant, and in my opinion I think the Bean rods are a little too much, but what do I know I'm poor. I'm still waiting for Obama to buy me that Garrison. |
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hopkintoncane |
#14 | |||
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Posts: 367 03/28/2009 12:48 |
The thread of this post is hauntingly similar to ones we've had regarding the cost of new Orvis rods, honestly, I think that these rods are meant to appeal to a different crowd for which money may not be of paramount concern. Both of these companies, Orvis and LL Bean, have tuned in to customers who focus on a name, and a lifestyle. Personally, I wish them both the best of luck. If they can find customers who are prepared to spend this kind of money on retail items, then I have to believe that ultimately, their bottom line as a business benefits, and ensures that the excellent customer service they both provide will continue into the future. As has been stated here many times, Orvis customer service and the current cane shop offer excellent service at a reasonable price. I have had similar experiences with Bean items in the past. Send them a pair of beat up Hunting Boots for repair and chances are good they simple send you a new pair, Todd |
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firehole |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 3808 03/28/2009 13:11 Local user |
I agree with hopkintoncane. People with the money pay for the name and service. Sure they're a little prices but what do expect since Bean needs to make
their profit on the sale. Different strokes for different folks.
Dennis |
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Kaneman1 |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 147 03/28/2009 15:18 |
Hexfly,
Before you buy one of those LL Bean rods look around as cwood said. There are alot of nice rods around i just got a Thramer HB for my friend for less than the over priced Bean rods. Good Luck ! Kaneman1
Last Edited By: Kaneman1 03/30/2009 13:17.
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oneculm |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 509 03/28/2009 15:39 |
Wow I just read the review that JZ2 mentioned. I have to give Bean credit for putting that up for all to see.
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Bob M |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 4 03/30/2009 13:51 |
None of the reputable sellers filter comments unless they are patenly obscene. One opinion is hardly a reliable sample. This thread has very favorable comments
regarding a lot of his rods. Most of these aren't his Royal series art works but are comparable to his L L Bean work.
Regarding the value of the L L Bean rod: 1.) a hand planed rod 2.) by a well known and respected maker 3.) with an unarguably good taper (even stated in the L L Bean post) 4.) 3/2 configuration 5.) tipped wraps. 6.) decorated reel seat 7.) hand crafted ferrules 8.) backed by both L L Bean and Gary 9.) with a zero to miniscule waiting list $1,500 is a very good deal. I've seen other maker's no-frills 2/2 priced for hundreds more and come with a long waiting list. By the way, ordering direct from Gary comes with a waiting list too. |
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Short Tip |
#19 | |||
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Posts: 1055 03/30/2009 19:33 Moderator |
LL Bean offers their 100% satisfaction guarantee on every item they sell. The gentleman who wrote the review, or any other customer, could return the rod at
any time for a replacement or a refund. This is also a significant factor in their decisions on which products to offer in their name.
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jz2 |
#20 | |||
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Posts: 191 03/30/2009 19:39 |
I pointed out the review not to be critical of Gary or LL Bean - just to indicate that there was a place where owner(s) of LL Bean rods could comment. I agree
with firehole that one review doesn't make or break the case. It would be helpful to all if some of the other 99 purchasers posted their reviews. BTW I
find such reviews very helpful and use the ones posted on such sites as bonktown, sierratradingpost, coffeegeek, chainlove, cellartracker, B&H photo, Abes
of Maine. they help guide my purchases in sports goods, clothing, espresso machines, electronics and wine. All of those sites posts user reviews, positive,
negative and neutral.
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