OK guys, here it is- I'm building some steelhead side-drifting rods built on 9-foot, 2-piece, 6-10# spinning blanks. I'm using Pac-Bay Hialoy SLSGs. The sets I have contain the following sizes: 8-8-8-8-10-12-16-20-25-30, and an 8 tip top. I've taped the guides on, using the general "spirit" of the New Concept system. I'm using shortened handle sets (as opposed to typical steelhead spinning rods). The entire handle assembly from butt to front tip of fore cork is 14". As I have taped the guides on, the three larges guides all fall onto the bottom piece. Also, the guide spacing on the top piece is 7". As I eyeball the guides, they look OK. 3 questions:
1.) Do 3 guides on the bottom piece sound crazy (I've just never seen that type of set up)
2.) Is the 7" spacing on the top half OK?
3.) I would rather not use the 30 because it's a pretty heavy guide, but I'll only have to increase the spacing if I use the 25 as the butt guide. OK, that's not exactly a question, just an invitation for advice

Thanks, these are the first spinning rods I've built.

-Nick Dazer
Portland, Oregon

My side drift rods with Diawa or Shimano reels usually fall into the 25-16-10 or 8, than fly guide 6s to a 6 tip. Your making the rods identical is a great idea and your spacing sounds about right, it will be a little heavier than need be is all. Any deviation in rods here would cause a major problem in presentation as you probably know.

Thanks, Spencer.