The spline has nothing to do with your rod setting a permanent curve other than potentially aiding in a direction to bend. The spline dictates the direction the rod bends because fishing rod blanks aren’t perfectly round. They have a very slight oval shape to them. The “skinny” ends of the oval are the “sides” of the blank and the guides are either placed on top of the “sides” (think baitcaster) or on the bottom of the “sides” (think spinning). Sounds like poor blank storing habits by the builder to me or that’s how he received them and just said “good enough”. Even if the guides were misaligned from the spline, your rod should be straight as an arrow in my opinion. I own 3 TUCR’s and every one came to me straight. I’ve also built a good half dozen of my own and all of those blanks were also straight. Are they a reputable builder? I’m assuming you paid “custom” prices regardless. I’d contact them and see what they have to say.
Having said that, if the guides ARE along the spline, properly wrapped/epoxied on, and the blank isn’t structural compromised I don’t see it hindering its ability to handle fish. Just aesthetic disappointment. I don’t blame you for not being thrilled. Like I said though, contact the builder and see what they have to say.
