Hey guys I'm starting my first rod build. It's going to be on a 7 foot ML Avid SCIII blank. I'm wanting to use microguides and am having some confusion on what set to get. I'm thinking on this set, http://www.mudhole.com/Micro-Spinning-Guide-Set-Chrome-66-7-Rods?quantity=1 But it doesn't have a tip top guide and I am confused on which tip top to get. Also is this a good set for a ML rod?

 that 7'ML takes a 4.5 tip top.

I'd measure the tip top size before ordering because they can be different than on the catalog says, after all we're talking 1/128th of an inch here to the next size tube. If you are ordering the blank from the same place, have them size the tip top to the blank for you, they do it all the time.

The tip top you want is the NCRLMT4 - 4.5, or the correct size for the last number.

 

That set will work fine for your plans, although for that length rod you most likely will not need more than 8 guides + the tiptop.  I would set it up 16, 10, 7.5, then as many 4's to the end as you need.  The image shows two 7.5's, and you don't want to use 2 of them.  This will work for braids below about 20 pound test, mono about 8 and below. 

 

I would start with the first guide about 18-20 inches from the reel shaft in its farthest out position, then try to space the others to get a set of concentric bullseyes when viewing from the back down through the reduction guides to the running guides.  Use as many running guides (probably 5) as necessary to get a good stress test.

Thanks for the great responses. I appreciate it! Excited to make my first rod. 

9 hours ago, MickD said:

That set will work fine for your plans, although for that length rod you most likely will not need more than 8 guides + the tiptop.  I would set it up 16, 10, 7.5, then as many 4's to the end as you need.  The image shows two 7.5's, and you don't want to use 2 of them.  This will work for braids below about 20 pound test, mono about 8 and below. 

 

I would start with the first guide about 18-20 inches from the reel shaft in its farthest out position, then try to space the others to get a set of concentric bullseyes when viewing from the back down through the reduction guides to the running guides.  Use as many running guides (probably 5) as necessary to get a good stress test.

Thanks. That's definitely good advice. I may set it up in this manner instead of buying that guide set. 

I'm not familiar with those specific guides but the frames aren't high enough the 16 stripper may not be big enough. Consider using the Microwave set. Setup is fool proof and performance is top notch. 

Microwave is clearly the easiest to set up, (the set comes with the setup recipe)  and for lines about like I mentioned before, it will work fine.  The hardloy set is about the same cost as the set you highlighted.  I suggest a premium tiptop ring; that's where any grooving will first show up.   Hardloy guides will be fine for durability.