I just received a replacement Loomis blank. It is a 7' MB 843 SLATE. The one I broke was an IMX I am guessing a new line for 2002. I am not complaining as they were great about replacing. My question is this. What type, size and number of guides for a spiral wrap for this rod. I will be using it to bass fish with top waters and carolina rigs. Braided line at times. Thanks

The number of guides should be the same or +/- 1 as conventional placement. As always, it depends on the rod. Through test casting and stress distribution, you can determine the number of guides. For generalization, I have found that using concept technique, I will have at least one guide per foot of (ie 7ft rod, at least 7guides) and most of the time 1 more than that. This does not include the tip. This has been my experience with the med/hvy rods. I would think (purely speculation) that the more flex of the rod, the more guides. This is in attempt to keep the line close to the blank. I don't know if this theory is correct, but sounds logical. (Tom?, Bob?, is this true?) Summary, it all depends on the blank.
Elrod