I guess I am old school: Lamiglas SB 121-3M. I like the fiberglass rods with braid. I finally got around to building one back for myself and was playing with it down at the local reservior a couple of weeks ago. Man those Daiwa Emblem's cast FAR! It makes for a strong walking stick along the rocks and I don't worry about breaking it if I fall and land on top of it.
I had one of the 126 in conventional and wasn't crazy about it. It comes down to personal preference IMHO. Lots of guys rave about certain blanks and until you physically use it you won't be able to form your own opinion about it. Each person has a preference and no one blank fits everyone IMHO.
If you can test cast one BEFORE you buy it, you can save yourself a lot of money and head ache! BTDT !!
You don't have to believe me -> pay attention to what rods keep popping back up all the time on the buy/sell/trade boards.
If you can live with an 2 pc rod - the Lamiglas Super Surf 10' MH is very nice. It can throw the big Bombers up to 6 oz with moxie. The production rod is pretty nice - Fuji Alconites that are underwrapped and then double wrapped - they low $300s.