Nice custom stick dude. Amzaing how good you can make a $15 sportings goods rod with some work, huh? I've been building my custom rods for a couple years now. Right now I'm building myself a new rip rod on a Loomis CB845 blank, with split cork grips and the 1" "button" up front, with single foot Alconites to top it off. Should be sweeet...
If you can, try to get to the Fred Hall Show on March 7-11 down in Long Beach (I don't remember the dates for the San Diego show). You can usually find a bunch of nice little blanks for a good price, especially Phenix and other small brand manufacturer stuff. I'm going this year and buying a couple for myself to fill out my tournament selection. Plus, there's a couple rod building booths there that have their guides up on sale for less than usual. Once again man, nice remake!