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Not at all. I liked the Stealth and would buy one if I needed a rod comparable to the GSB1201L, particularly if I preferred a faster rod or needed a 2 piece. It is every bit as good and maybe a bit nicer than the GSB1201L. It is not a lot nicer, nor does it cast a lot further.
As I posted on another rod building site, I am well aware that the taped guides absorbed some force. Then again the GSB was out casting the Century by a few yards on most throws, so I assume the Century would catch up or maybe throw a few yards more finished. I am pretty confident it is not throwing 10 or 20 yards more.
I also think that a stronger person could likely get more out of the Stealth than I. I suspect I get as much out of the GSB as anyone, since I felt I was maxing the GSB out at 3.5 oz, but not the Century.
My points are three fold.
The rods weigh the same.
The rods perform VERY close to the same as far as distance is concerned. No way there is a quantum leap in distance.
The Stealth S1 is much more comparable to a GSB 1201L than a GSB 1201M......which I think is the most important point because a lot of info on the net suggests otherwise and a lot of guys may end up mislead. I hope Century makes, or has, a Stealth blank in the 10 foot 2-5 range, but this one is not it.
As for your bit about guide placement, the distance of a cast is determined by line flow on a straight blank. The static deflection optimization you propose matters when fighting a fish. Besides, these rods have 9 guides on them, the distribute load well. I did not detect any line slap on the Century with this guide layout and I would build it as such if I decided I wanted one.
Both are nice rods. I'd happily fish either and not feel like I was missing anything.
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