when the line passes through the butt guide as you reel, should the line circle around the inside of the butt guide without touching the sides. i'm building a 7' rod so i figured if i put a reel on and taped on the butt guide and tip then run the line through, this should allow me to slide the butt guide to a point where the line circles through the inside of the guide. rather then just pick a distance from 24" to 36" from the center of the reel seat to start, and then re-adjust with the stress test. will this work?

When the line flys off the spool about half way to the first guide it gets bigger[loops]. if the first guide is to far away your going to get line slap on the blank, you need to keep the guide close, not half way down the rod.

makes more sence now capesams, after reading the clemmens book regarding the cone of flight theory and then a smaller butt guide that sits higher off the blank instead of lower frame guides.
i got it now.:D