I am confused on how many stripping guides are recommended for a fly rod. In Tom's book he recommends an additional stripping guide 3 to 4 inches ahead of the butt stripping guide, but not included as part of the static test, and the same size as the second stripper. This creates three stripping guides. Am I correct in this assumption?
Also, on a nine foot rod one should start with 9 guides and a tip top. Should this be two strippers and 7 "regular" guides?

No, I didn't recommend it - I only suggested trying it. There is only 1 stripping guide on a fly rod - that would be the first guide. All the rest of the guides are running guides.

In the book I did for Amato, I suggested trying the addition of a "line taming guide" which would be a guide located about 3 to 4 inches past the stripping guide and one size smaller than the stripping guide. You can add this on after you've built the rod and test it with, and without, to see if it makes any difference in your casting distance. When used with lighter, very supple lines, it often does. With heavier, stiffer lines, it often makes zero difference.

Because it's an addition to, rather than part of, the regular spacing, adding it or removing it can be done after the rest of the guides are set.

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Rick,

I noticed you said that you were going to use 9 guides plus the tip on a 9 foot rod. That's great if your static test works out OK with that. I don't know if you've missed it or not, somewhere along the line, but the rule of thumb is 1 guide for each foot of length + 1, then the tip top. No disrespect or negativity intended, just making the point in case you missed it, and for the mutitude of newbie builders amongst us.

Bill in WV

I'm a newbie to this forum but have build several flyrods of 8-10 weight in 9 -14 foot lengths.
Don't mean to hijack this thread but think this might be the right spot to ask this additional question about stripping guides. If I put, say a #12 "line taming guide" ahead of a #16 stripping guide, which way should the double guide ring supports face? Does it matter and if not, which way would be less likely to jam a half frozen flyline on its way out?