I am new to this board and the guys at RS.com told me about this page. Here is my question. I am building my first rod and need some guidance on guide spacing. The rod is an all-starr elite 6'6" M fast action. I have been told that 8 guides isn't too many for this application, but have not been able to find a guide spacing that uses eight(including tip top). Can anyone lead me to a site that has my info or feel free to email me. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all your help in advanced

Search the archives for "guide placement" or "guide spacing". A wealth of knowledge and info in there.
Quickly, I would say, guide spacing charts are a "starting point". Don't use them as a final positioning for your guides. Final placement is determined by stress distribution and test casting. Once you search the archives, start shooting specific questions and this board will respond with great integrity.
I am not side stepping your question, but certainly couldn't improve on the posts already out there.

Brent
All beginners ask the same queston. If you want guide spaceing for a custom rod get a book Called ADVANCED CUSTOM ROD BUILDING by Dale Clemens or Tom Kerkman's book BASIC ROD BUILDING.
No 2 rods have the same action
Bob

Thanks for the guidance guys set it up last night. I used one of my factory rods as a template and put the guides on last night just took it outside and it casts great and flexes even I am real pleased with my first attempt at rod building. Now all i have left to do is finish the guide wraps.