A friend of mine imports CTS blanks, and also builds a few rods for friends. I cast two of his rods and really, really liked them - one in particular. The only downside I can see would be time waiting for a broken one to be fixed - though Sage is not superfast either. But Sage does get it done and has a bulletproof warranty.
I've not cast the echo instructor rods, but Jackster or Silver may have.
I have seen some white training rods being cast at an FFF conclave (don't know the brand) but they would not be something I'd personally want to fish with in wind, as they took a much deeper bend than what I like at the range they were casting, and the rebound from counterflex was very slow.
Painting an existing blank would add weight, naturally, just like putting too much stuff on the guide wraps does. I've only done that once, repairing a rod of mine, and could really tell the difference on an 8 weight. I've not fished with it since.