these are some rods i built for wife, darter-in-law, and me.  they all have been counter balanced for sensitivety.  the two that are matching ftu 10 dollar blank are both spiriled wrapped with one having micros and the other having standard guides.  the other rod is a 6' cui rod with fly rod guides.  i found that being the normal spacing of your stripper guide is 18-22' from front of reel, that the micro stripper had to be spaced at  22' and it would not gather line as it cast. 
i steel stand on my theory that the micros have there place, but are not the best thing since slice bread.  the micro did let me have more control with my cast, but i had to be concience of my reel setting at all times.  where as the large guide allowed me some leway with my cast that i could get away with a bad cast and not pay for it deerly.  that is why my darter-in-laws and wifes rods does not have micros, because they are not seasoned fisher person.......bennie