Cheaper?Heck yes.I`m on my 5th one now.All Meisers except one. It`s a lot of fun to fish with your own creation too. I had Cedric Knuckey,a guy in Minnesota [sells on the bay thing too] build me an exquisite Z-Axis a couple yrs ago for around $450. It`s warranted for life...I know this to be true since I busted 3 tips now [!]-got to pay $50 plus shipping. But,for $300 you can by the whole kit for Meiser and do it yourself,that what I`d do anyway....good luck
Call Greg's Custom Rods and tell him what you're thinking. Price, build, etc. If he can do it cheaper, he'll tell you. Either way you'll get a straight answer.