Why is my idea stupid?

[bry4321]

Why don’t guitar manufacturers or owners put notches or something along the back of necks so it’s easier to feel where you are at?

[RobB]

I guess they assume you know what you’re doing?

[diablo175]

Is there any reason you can't put them on there?

[bry4321]

17 minutes ago, RobB said:

I guess they assume you know what you’re doing?

Bad assumption in my case 🤘🤷‍♀️

[bry4321]

16 minutes ago, diablo175 said:

Is there any reason you can't put them on there?

Or stick on some tape!

Edit: BRB 

 

Edited September 14, 2024 by bry4321

[Steve Haynie]

Old European and some present-day Middle Eastern instruments have "frets" that are made of fiber (sinew?) wrapped around the fretboard and the back of the neck.  Somewhere there is a row of tiny knots.  So, there is precedent for a neck with markers that can be felt.  

A violin luthier (he really does make them) did a repair on my grandfather's fiddle.  He rehaired the bow for decorative purpose, and he marked a crack in the bow with a small drop of glue that is noticeable only when the bow is inspected closely.  

A similarly tiny glue dot could mark the back of your guitar neck if you want to experiment.  If it does not feel right you can sand and buff it off.  

If a notch or indentation is what you have to go with, find a beater to try that on.  It would be more or less reversible if you do not like it.  Dents can sometimes be fixed, but they are rarely totally unnoticeable. 

Edited September 15, 2024 by Steve Haynie

[seeker]

I know a guitarist that paints the back of his guitars necks black with white stripes at the fret markers.  His bands stage is quite often dark/unlit because they have projection backdrop with lightshow and/or lasers. Also plays keys so he's going back and forth. 

[beezerboy]

my first thoughts.... wood screws

[BTMN]

Isn’t that what side dots are for? Always good to know where you are. 😎👍🏁

[G Man]

There is also Luminlay and LED side dots that help in low light situations. 

[Jeff R]

Good pal John "Sully" Sullivan integrates clear-as-day position markers into his build's binding.

[kizanski]

19 minutes ago, Jeff R said:

Good pal John "Sully" Sullivan integrates clear-as-day position markers into his build's binding.

And he could land an Airbus A320 on the Hudson River.  

[diablo175]

And there are illuminated side dots too.

Just sayin'

[Steve Haynie]

2 hours ago, diablo175 said:

And there are illuminated side dots too.

Just sayin'

DIBS!!!

[bry4321]

2 hours ago, diablo175 said:

And there are illuminated side dots too.

Just sayin'

What is that??

[diablo175]

18 hours ago, bry4321 said:

What is that??

That is a HEL Specter... or as I jokingly call it- Caliphantom.... or is it Phantafornian?

I had Shane build me a 25.5 " scale amalgamation of a Phantom and a Californian. Cali-style neck w/ 27 frets, Phantom body.

 

[gorch]

On 9/14/2024 at 9:21 PM, bry4321 said:

Why don’t guitar manufacturers or owners put notches or something along the back of necks so it’s easier to feel where you are at?

Knowing where you are at, would it make your playing any better?

I think markers wouldn't make it easier as hands can be very different. Where to place the markers for big hands or small hands?

[bry4321]

2 hours ago, gorch said:

Knowing where you are at, would it make your playing any better?

I think markers wouldn't make it easier as hands can be very different. Where to place the markers for big hands or small hands?

I meant wherever there is a fret marker. Same for all hands! The feel would reinforce the vision and vice-versa. Or easier to know where you are when gazing out at a massive stadium crowd instead of looking down. I am going to try it (with tape, not by disfiguring the neck with a chisel) and report back one of these days. 

Edited September 17, 2024 by bry4321

[Brooks]

Grant, the blind guy who played bass/keys in the Rush tribute ~14 years ago put bumps on the back of his bass neck. He called me out of the blue last month, great dude.

[velorush]

36 minutes ago, Brooks said:

Grant, the blind guy who played bass/keys in the Rush tribute ~14 years ago put bumps on the back of his bass neck. He called me out of the blue last month, great dude.

I remember that guy / band! The videos were amazing!  Was that 14 years ago?!

[HSB0531]

On 9/15/2024 at 6:37 AM, BTMN said:

Isn’t that what side dots are for? Always good to know where you are. 😎👍🏁

YUP!

[HSB0531]

Why don't he just use Bluetooth In Ear monitors with the new Bluetooth enabled WFPS

The Wireless Fretted Positioning System converts and sends the fretted note into a special speech enabled transceiver.  It then sends an AI voice message to the In Ears saying the exact note & note position for each string............Nah, I just made that up...

[stobro]

My only input for this topic is that I have gotten rid of guitars for the sole reason that they had nicks/gouges/scratches on the back of the neck. I can't stand anything other than a smooth surface..

[HSB0531]

9 hours ago, stobro said:

My only input for this topic is that I have gotten rid of guitars for the sole reason that they had nicks/gouges/scratches on the back of the neck. I can't stand anything other than a smooth surface..

I can definitely understand that.  The one I would add to that is a sticky neck in hot weather due to lacquer that hasn't hardened completely.  I removed the finish on my 73 Precision bass neck because of all the nicks and chips on the edges.  I sanded it smooth and added many coats of MinWax antique oil finish.  It also gave it a more amber color. 

Edited September 21, 2024 by HSB0531

[Jakeboy]

The more we play the better we know the neck. You won’t need markers. Your hands will go there automatically.