Hi
Did someone of you build St.Croix 3S63MLXF with spiral wrap? I need advice if I should use 7 or 8 guides + tip. I did static test and the best mode for me is with 8 guides: T-LNSG 10, 8 and T-LSG 7, 6, 4x 5,5 + 5,5 tip. Gaps between the guides are (from the tip): 9,2, 9,7, 10,4, 11, 13, 16, 19, 23 (reargrip is 17,5cm). I tried to remove one 5,5 guide but IMO the angles with line on the tip were to big. Do you think 7 guides would do or 8 are choice to go? Would you suggest to spread the gaps between lower guides or remove one from tip (this is a x-fast so that`s why I put them so close)?
Thanks in advance!
Bartosz

Bartosz. I do not want to change your opinion as to the total number of guides you use on that blank. Your posting seems to indicate that you understand all that is necessary to deal with the correct number of guides on the tip section of the blank. On similar blanks using the O'Quinn, straight line and Forhan thinking my spacing will tend to run from 5 1/2 to 6 inches on the first one and from 5 1/4 to 5 1/2 inches on the second. I may be using a set up that is slightly shorter than yours to get to the bottom of the blank. I would not spread them any more than you have and the use of that extra guide may be the best way to go.

Hi
Thanks Bill. Does anyone else have any experience with this blank?
I got one more question. How many guides you put on 3C69MLXF spiral wrapped? It it very similar blank but 6" longer.

Regards,

The static test will give you the best answer to how many guides. it is hard to say for any one particualr blank. Even with the same blank, I have seen it need 2 different setups of guides. I have seen a demostration of just how different the same blank can be. A guy took what were 10 blanks of the same model, held them by the tip of the blank. I don't think any 2 flexed the same, some hung lower, some higher, but it showed that even with the same blank, it flexes differently. One thing from the guides chosen for the first rod, you really don't need all the different sizes of guides. I rarely use any more that 3 guide sizes on a rod.

With most of the current 3 ml ex fast blanks - I normally use a spacing of 4 inches from the tip and also for the next two guides. i.e. 4,8 and 12 inches for the first three guides.
Then, began spacing out the guides for the rest.

Typically, this will be a 7 guide setup. I really see no reason to use 8 guides on such a short rod.

Take care
Roger