Who Uses Side Fret Markers?

[Sleezy E]

Here's me looking a side dots... Look Ma! No fret markers!
and that is a boss gt3 at my feet, ballin'

 

[Alex Kenivel]

I can't remember a guitar I've played without side markers except for maybe a fretless Wishbass.

Fretboard markers I can live without or with as long as they're not gaudy.

 

[Bruce]

Well…….I do this gig called Heavy Metal Harry. It is themed around children’s books of the same name. We go around to elementary schools and do a whole show about music, teamwork, inclusion and acceptance. We kinda take turns on who is going to be Harry. Harry is a big football mascot kinda getup that was very expensive to make.

So this huge mask/mascot thing is 1 very hot and 2 nearly impossible to see out of. This is where side markers come in handy. Your range of view is severely reduced. So for that gig, they’re invaluable.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Well…….I do this gig called Heavy Metal Harry. It is themed around children’s books of the same name. We go around to elementary schools and do a whole show about music, teamwork, inclusion and acceptance. We kinda take turns on who is going to be Harry. Harry is a big football mascot kinda getup that was very expensive to make.

So this huge mask/mascot thing is 1 very hot and 2 nearly impossible to see out of. This is where side markers come in handy. Your range of view is severely reduced. So for that gig, they’re invaluable. View attachment 25175

What I wanna know is how you play the guitar with those big mitts on.

 

[Jarick]

I feel like i stare at the board markers. Never had a blank board before. I could train myself to use side dots though as I’ve got a good feel for position at this point. Also I really like luminlay side dots.

 

[DrewJD82]

I don't pay much attention, if any, to the fretboard markers. The side markers though...

One thing I've run into lately is teaching riffs to bandmates. When using a guitar or bass without fret markers, it makes it tougher for them to easily tell what I'm playing - particularly in faster riffs and runs.

I always forget about that when playing my JEM. Other guitarist used to take forever figuring out what I was doing while I busted his balls about it then he’d remind me “I can’t tell what fucking flower shit I’m looking at!”

 

[Achilles]

Here's me looking a side dots... Look Ma! No fret markers!

PARKER FLY IN DA HOUSE!!!!

 

[FuzzyAce]

I always forget about that when playing my JEM. Other guitarist used to take forever figuring out what I was doing while I busted his balls about it then he’d remind me “I can’t tell what fucking flower shit I’m looking at!”

Leaf number 5!

 

[LeftyLoungeLizard]

Playing live or standing up - absolutely use side fret markers as an "eyeball it" thing when needed.

Sitting in front of my DAW - gotta use top markers.

Muscle memory is great; but even then, it's too easy to accidentally slide up or down a fret. Especially if you're playing outside the Pentatonic Minor box.

I always thought guitars without top fretboard markers on the neck looked unfinished. Like, they forgot to put the inlays in and shipped it anyways.

 

[Achilles]

I always thought guitars without top fretboard markers on the neck looked unfinished. Like, they forgot to put the inlays in and shipped it anyways.

 

[LeftyLoungeLizard]

Who knew Benjamin Franklin played guitar when he was a teenager? Then again, he was a true Renaissance Man.

 

[ballhawk]

Who knew Benjamin Franklin played guitar when he was a teenager? Then again, he was a true Renaissance Man.

That pic was taken before he invented the electric axe. He had to pass a key through the 1/4 inch cable to get it to work though

 

[LeftyLoungeLizard]

Looking more closely at this vintage photo - isn't that the chord shape for the beginning of "Walk Don't Run"? Ol' teenaged Ben there learning surf tunes...

 

[Achilles]

"Walk Don't Run"

F# Major? Gotta be Good Vibrations.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Like, they forgot to put the inlays in and shipped it anyways.

Probably how the first one came to be anyhow.

Then some bean-counter chimed in with, "And hey, we saved some money not putting them in, so let's do more of 'em that way. Plus, dem guitar nerds will prolly pay extra for it anyway! As in, It's a feature, not a bug."

 

[FuzzyAce]

Looking more closely at this vintage photo - isn't that the chord shape for the beginning of "Walk Don't Run"? Ol' teenaged Ben there learning surf tunes...

Incorrect. He was playing the 3rd chord for "Lonely People" by America (Bm). He invented yacht rock too.

 

[Bruce]

What I wanna know is how you play the guitar with those big mitts on.

Would be impossible. The boots are HUGE and nearly impossible to walk in too. Whoever plays harry has to get walked out to the band by someone because he’d break his neck otherwise. But really it is a genius gig. Educational for the kids, PTA or school pays the bill and you’re playing for maybe 45 min on and off in 30 second intervals.

 

[la szum]

Singing and playing guitar at the same time means you have to
do something blind and by total feel. Eventually.

 

[la szum]

Well…….I do this gig called Heavy Metal Harry. It is themed around children’s books of the same name. We go around to elementary schools and do a whole show about music, teamwork, inclusion and acceptance. We kinda take turns on who is going to be Harry. Harry is a big football mascot kinda getup that was very expensive to make.

So this huge mask/mascot thing is 1 very hot and 2 nearly impossible to see out of. This is where side markers come in handy. Your range of view is severely reduced. So for that gig, they’re invaluable. View attachment 25175

Good on you, Bruce!

 

[TSJMajesty]

Good on you, Bruce!

So d'you buy anything in Chicago?