Placement of first guide

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I have been building rods for many years and thirty years ago I was taught to place the first guide by finding the place where the rod, when struck on the butt, stands still. That is where the first guide goes. This area varies but is appoximately 1/3rd of the way down from the tip.

I appologize for not being able to describe this better but hopefully you will know what I'm talking about.

I have tried various other formulas and they don't take into consideration this location.

My question is, is this still a valid way of placing the first guide?

I build mostly salt water rods of varying lengths with casting distance a prime consideration.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I woud not think that's a very good method because the reel IMO plays a huge role in where the butt guide has to be located. According to your method two different length rods with the same reel would have the butt guide in two different locations. I would place them indentical in terms of distance from the reel.

Maybe you didn't give enough information. Are we talking about spinning or casting rods?

Either spinning or casting; I vary the distance from the reel seat to the first guide depending on the action of the rod. After I find the place where the blank stands still, the next guide location to be determined is the one closest to the reel seat.

Bill,
Do you do the vibration test - with the reel on or the reel off.
Have you find that it makes any difference with the reel on compared to the reel off?
Roger

I think what he is finding is the " 1/2" " deviation point found in equal angle guide placement method.

I've been away from my computer for a awhile working on my boat (it never ends). I have always done this vibration test without the reel in place but it doesn't seem to matter much. This was the way I was taught and it has worked well for me. I learned it from a guy named Ed Weigel (not sure of spelling) ; he made blanks and rods in Oxnard, California called Parker Weigel. I think he was affialiated with Harrington at one time. I guess by the lack of responses this must not be a common way of placing guides.