Would be helpful to get more information about what it is you are trying to create. The description below doesn't really give enough information to give a good recomendation.

To add to Tedward's list, you can also use adhesive backed tape wick(or non-adhesive with more attachments) and wrap in a spiral pattern up and down the object. The top and bottom will have a little bulge where it overlaps, but if wrapped well, this is barely noticable. Check out my new sword design for this method.

I would shy away from wrapping with rope, as rope has a tendency to seperate and bunch. if this object is spinning, you would probably get a lot of rope at the bottom and gaps near the top.

Depending on how thick your rod is, attachment is also a concern and may limit what methods you can use anyway.

As for having more wicking at one point then the other, the burn rates will depend also on if this is being spun or not. If it is spinning, the outer most wick (assuming they were all the same size), would go out first. If this is static, then the area with the least amount of wicking, will hold the least amount of fuel, and go out first. With the small amounts of fuel that is left when it is at that point in the burn, is is really doubtful that the liquid fuel would move to different parts of the wicking to balance out the burn time. Also consider the direction of the flame. If this is staticly burning upwards, then the wicking at the top, and fuel inside, will heat up a lot more then the wicking at the bottom and cause a much faster evaporation rate.

Hope that helps,
Chad