Guys

After building a few hundred rods using both single and doulbe foot guides on, I'll tell you I've yet to see the difference other than cosmetic. If anything weighs down the rod, it's the thread along with the epoxy on that thread. But this is nothing. Really nothing. When it comes down to it, each blank will be different from the next, very,very slightly but it will be.
Here is another perimeter that people don't think about---fly lines. We know all fly lines are not created equal!!!
Build what you would want the rod to look like.
The choice of RX7 will be a good one. Using some snake brand guides would be a great choice. ME??? I like to see the look of the classic stripper made from H&H on my rods.
We all have different thoughts of what is "fast" and "med fast" but if I was looking for a med fast blank it would be one of these.
AmTak classic
PacBay traditional
Batson RX6
Sevier
Lamiglass G1000
and a slightly faster version would be this
RX7
AmTak Matrix
St.Croix SCIII
My old Diamondback VSR 3pc,5wt is right in the midst of these rods.

As for going back to the older,sweeter casting rods, yea I agree. My favorite rod that I keep going back to is my old Vince Cummings 8 or 8 1/2 foot boron rod. I think the rod casts without me !!!

Randy