4 pc all the way for me. Or at least 3. I have a 10 ft. 3 pc 8 wt. I built on a Dan Craft blank. It's not to bad to take along.
Alignment is best accomplished by starting with the tip section and letting the guies hang below the rod. when you see equal amounts of each guide on either side of the rod you are straight. Real easy for me to see with this method. I put the butt section on last and get it close. Then put the reel on and fine tune it. Just my nickle's worth.