I'm currently doing a crankbait build (my first) on a MHX 7'6" blank and am questioning myself on using nine guides plus the tip guide. I normally use eight on that length rod, but come up with line touching the blank under load. The extra guide won't make any noticeable difference in weight, but the finished rod looks a little off with so many guides near the tip.  Am I just overthinking this, or is this common for a rod with a moderate action?

Line touching the blank won’t really hurt anything, but 9 is where I usually end up on a 7-7’6” rod. Don’t worry if static testing placement looks odd compared to progressive either. 

Line touching the blank will not hurt anything. What you have to worry about is line passing inder the blqnk under load. What I have found Comparing moderate to fast or x-fast action blanks is, the faster the action, more guides near the tip. Makes sense if you think about it. When the actions gets faster, the flex is more concentrated in the tip section, requiring more guides where the flex is most pronounced.

 

If you haven't wrapped the guides yet, you could try doing your static load test with the guides on thebottom side of the blank. A spiral wrap will some times eliminate a guide or two from the tip section.

9 guides on a 7-6 on top casting rod is not too many.  I often use 9 for 7 foot on top casters, and I've never felt that I was giving up anything on performance.   But if you're going for the fewest guides, then spiral is the way to go, as Ghoti said.  Do a search for "simple spiral casting rod builds" and see if you get instructions. If not, come back. Would take a minute or two to give them right here.

I agree in this case more is better. Ive often used 9. Spiral setup eliminates some of the line touching the blank but I didn't find I needed less guides. Also found casting distance to be affected. The only place I use spiral now is on flippin sticks and some down rigger rods