I'm getting ready to build a 3 weight rod.
This will be my 4th rod- this time I've decided to buy all of the components seperately-
I'm planning on a 7' blank. The reel seat and grip I can figure out, but I am having difficulty with the size of guides I should be looking for.
Here's what I'm planning to go with-- 12-4-4-3-3-2-2-2, but I do not know the proper size for the tip top.
I need help to steer me in the right direction.
Thanks.

If you have settled on size 2's as your smallest, then do this instead -

12 - 4 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 -2 (as many as you need).

Using all the available sizes and in duplicates does not improve anything and usually only adds additional weight, which is not going to help your rod perform better.

For more information on guide sizing, consult the Volume 9 #3 issue of RodMaker.

I'm assuming that you're using snakes and will use a pear shaped tip top. The tube size will have to match your rod blank tip size. Have your dealer fit a top to it at the time you purchase it. If you've already gotten the blank, measure it and order accordingly.


...........

Thanks Tom. Actually I was planning on single footed guides, would this change your recommendation for guide sizes?

I would appreciate some input on grip shape. I've been told a cigar would be good for this little light set up.

No, I'd do the same.

I've used cigar grps on the smaller rods and they're just fine. By the same token, your hand is the same size and shape no matter what size rod you're using so there is also some wisdom in just using whatever size and shape you find to work well for you on other rods, even though they might be larger and heavier.

.............

Doug, I have recently bult a 7'6" 3wt with sz 1/0 SF Batson guides and it works very well so sz 2 are plenty big. You might consider going with sz 1 to save weight .

I went #10 SF ceramic stripper - 4 inches to a #8 SF ceramic tamer - SF wire #1 - 1 - 1/0 - 1/0 - 1/0 - 1/0 - 1/0 - 1/0 - tip top.

The extra #2 was pointless, if anything should have been a #2 and a #1..... and the way I do it is I put the tamer where the layout says the stripper goes and add the stripper 4 inches closer to the grip.

That rod shoots DT line extremely well too and is my favorite light rod now.