The words 'cheap' and 'quality' are rare bedfellows unfortunately SirG. There are bargains to be had out there though, particularly 2nd hand. I don't get caught up in the chase for latest and supposed greatest. Rods like the Zziplex FZero, Century Formula Kevlar TTM and Conoflex Source still serve me very well on my local clean ground. I've had M4GTs and they were superb for 6oz but ever so slightly overkill for me where 5oz rules mostly, and so I and passed them on to a younger mate who fishes all over the UK for all kinds of species. He loves them but admits that the 14' GT Fireblades are a very close runner up. As always its a very personal matter. I still think the very best investment any beachcasting anglers can make is to get good casting tuition and practice - visit a casting meet and ask there, they won't bite your head off and you'll get the best out of any rods quite quickly