I build a lot of saltwater and surf rods and am a true believer in the New Guide Concept set up. I have no problem using Hardloy high frame guides but I find if I want a more premium guide, in apprearance or ring hardness, there are no really good options with the high frame setup. What ends up happening is most of my first stripper guides aren't high enough therefore screwing up the whole system by making the line bend up to the rod prematurely. I have seen the SIC high frame guides but since they are single-foot guides I'd be hesitant to put them on a heavy spinning rod.

The same thing happens on a conventional setup for heavy surf rods. With Hardloys it's perfect to use a 20HH for the first guide then go to regular height casting guides. Looks a little funny, but there is truly not a bit of line restriction. Again if you want to use braid or just have shiny guides there's no premium alternative that would get the line that high off the rod.

Any suggestions would be welcome. Is this a real problem or just one I've made up?

I just finished a 9' surf rod(concept spacing) and used single foot Fuji Alconites, with a SiC tip top.
With a forhan locking wrap, I can fish with confidence.
The Fuji's are a definite step up in hardness, as well as cosmetically, over hardloys, and the cost isnt that much more, compared to jumping to SiC's.

RB