AllStar Dilemma, need some facts.

[FlyRod]

Obituary: My Team AllStar TAS807C, 6'8" Heavy Action...blah, blah, etc., bit the dust last Saturday due to a hatch lid being slammed on it. No charges are pending.

Now...this rod, just over a year old, has GOLD-colored guides in "chrome?" frames.
Problem: The new one, same model, that I picked up at Academy today has a label wrapped around the grip that states the rod is equipped with Fuji Aluminum Oxide guides...the dark grey ones...the cheaper ones in the Fuji line. The frames look similar EXCEPT the older rod's GOLD guides are retained in place by frames that are slightly wider.

The question (no guesses, please): Did Shakespeare, having bought AllStar, go to cheaper guides while keeping the price the same (100 bux)?

I use braid on these and I have some concerns re the quality of the "new" guides, and their abrasion resistance, versus the older GOLD guides. I use this model for pitching into brush and often have to rare back and "stick 'em". Ergo, I want guides that can take the abuse of braided line.

If I can determine that they've done some cost-cutting at the expense of a great stick it's going back to Academy and I'll seek elsewhere...Avid? Crucial?

Does anyone know the facts OR have a phone number for the AllStar plant?

Thanks!
F.Rod

PS: Here's a response I received on another board. Any comments?
FlyRod,
Quote:
Now...this rod, just over a year old, has GOLD-colored guides in "chrome?" frames.
Problem:

They are probably Gold Cermet Guides, (Solid Gold Ceramic Ring (Not Plated) - Diamond Polished) with (Titanium Alloy Frame).
Quote:
The new one, same model, that I picked up at Academy today has a label wrapped around the grip that states the rod is equipped with Fuji Aluminum Oxide guides...the dark grey ones...the cheaper ones in the Fuji line.

If they are aluminum oxide ring it is diamond polished to a mirror finish and assembled with a polymer shock ring for increased impact resistance.
As far as braid resistance I have never wrapped a rod with aluminum oxide rings. The cheapest guides I use are Fuji Hardloy and they are "braid resistant".

Quote:
The question (no guesses, please): Did Shakespeare, having bought AllStar, go to cheaper guides while keeping the price the same (100 bux)?

I wouldn't put it past them to try. But it all would be guessing from any reply here unless it was from a factory head who is privy to that company information.
All Star Rods

Tight Lines!