Skip to content
Notifications
Clear all

Strings disappear

23 Posts
15 Users
0 Likes
2,210 Views
(@sygil)
Active Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 7
Topic starter  

Ever have that?
The neck of my guitar is dark brown, and the body is like a mother of pearl counter top.
When playing I often lookat what I'm doing and loose track of the fret fingering because I loose sight of the last 3 smaller strings. The brass ones are easy to see, but I seem to have a "contrast blindness" to the higher strings and they seem to disapear.
I'm a sit down studio style aspiring guitarist, and yes I wear glasses.
Is there any adjsutments or techniques to increase visibility?
dayglo strings?


   
Quote
(@dogbite)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 6348
 

I had that experience only when I stood and played. dark rooms, glare and old eyes contribute to hiding strings.
when I sit and play the fret board is so close to my face I must look like a bent over gnome.

I think muscle memory will be our friends. if not that, reducing glare and reflection will help you.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=644552
http://www.soundclick.com/couleerockinvaders


   
ReplyQuote
(@rahul)
Famed Member
Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 2736
 

The only time I am not able to see the strings - when I am playing guitar lying down on bed with guitar on the belly.


   
ReplyQuote
(@greybeard)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 5840
 

:D :D

I started with nothing - and I've still got most of it left.
Did you know that the word "gullible" is not in any dictionary?
Greybeard's Pages
My Articles & Reviews on GN


   
ReplyQuote
 KR2
(@kr2)
Famed Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 2717
 

Isabelle posted this picture on another/earlier thread:

And put these on her guitar:

Just a thought.

It's the rock that gives the stream its music . . . and the stream that gives the rock its roll.


   
ReplyQuote
(@blueline)
Noble Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 1704
 

That will happen from time to time even to experienced players. How long have you been playing? As said before, it also happened to me when I first played standing up. After some time, you will learn to trust your hands and get a feel for where the strings are.

Just a note: I play my acoustic most of the time. 1 hour/day -every day. I am always sitting when I play the acoustic. I will pick up my electric maybe once every other month. (at least as of late) Seems when I do play the electric, standing up, I find myself searching for the strings more often. Also, my wrist tends to hurt a bit more since I'm not used to the standing position. That said, it will have an affect on how well I see the strings.

Speaking of that...I caught The Song Remains the Same on VH1 Classics last night. I watched Jimmy Page (in awe) and realized that the guy never looked down at his guitar. (maybe once) He was up and down that neck with no need to look at the strings. After realizing that I will never be that good, I smashed my guitar :P , will now have to purchase a new one. (good thing..I guess?) just kidding. I guess the moral of the story is, if you practice long enough, like JP, you will not need to ever look at the strings. Don'tcha feel better now? :twisted: :D

Teamwork- A few harmless flakes working together can unleash an avalanche of destruction.


   
ReplyQuote
(@ricochet)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 7833
 

The recently departed Jeff Healey was a killer player, and he never saw ANY of his strings.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine."


   
ReplyQuote
(@elecktrablue)
Famed Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 4338
 

Another example of someone who never saw his strings.... :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFvqmIi9Ymc

EDIT: Ooh! This one's even better! :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOs1HC29zh4&NR=1

..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´ -:¦:- Elecktrablue -:¦:-

"Don't wanna ride no shootin' star. Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar." Emmylou Harris, "Rhythm Guitar" from "The Ballad of Sally Rose"


   
ReplyQuote
(@blueline)
Noble Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 1704
 

Another example of someone who never saw his strings.... :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFvqmIi9Ymc

EDIT: Ooh! This one's even better! :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOs1HC29zh4&NR=1

+1 :D

Ya know...I normally don't EVER look at my strings. Only when I play. :roll:

Teamwork- A few harmless flakes working together can unleash an avalanche of destruction.


   
ReplyQuote
(@ricochet)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 7833
 

Yeah, those are cool, EB!

How about this guy? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdUrg2Cqxdw
(Sure looks like he's using nickel strings, BTW.)

Too bad there aren't any YouTube videos of Blind Willie Johnson, or Blind Wille McTell!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine."


   
ReplyQuote
(@hyperborea)
Prominent Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 827
 

The recently departed Jeff Healey was a killer player, and he never saw ANY of his strings.

He was a really great player. As a Toronto native I used to go see him in the local clubs during the 80's before he was "discovered". Man, those were great shows. The last time I saw him play was in the early 90's when he opened for Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughn (just months before he died) at the Skydome.

He went way too young.

Pop music is about stealing pocket money from children. - Ian Anderson


   
ReplyQuote
(@elecktrablue)
Famed Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 4338
 

Yeah, those are cool, EB!

How about this guy? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdUrg2Cqxdw
(Sure looks like he's using nickel strings, BTW.)

Too bad there aren't any YouTube videos of Blind Willie Johnson, or Blind Wille McTell!

LOVE Doc Watson!! :D I've got quite a few of his vinyl albums! I don't play them much anymore (mostly because I can't find a decent stylus for my turntable!). I think I need to get one of those turntables that allow you to burn to CD.

..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´ -:¦:- Elecktrablue -:¦:-

"Don't wanna ride no shootin' star. Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar." Emmylou Harris, "Rhythm Guitar" from "The Ballad of Sally Rose"


   
ReplyQuote
(@ricochet)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 7833
 

I was privileged to hear Doc play live several times in my youth, including with Merle before his death. He was awesome!

A friend of mine over the hill in North Carolina remembers seeing Doc sitting out playing on the sidewalk in Boone on Saturdays.

"A cheerful heart is good medicine."


   
ReplyQuote
(@elecktrablue)
Famed Member
Joined: 20 years ago
Posts: 4338
 

That would have been so amazingly cool! :D I never got to see him (or Merle) in person, but I've worn out albums and tapes! :D

..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ .·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´ -:¦:- Elecktrablue -:¦:-

"Don't wanna ride no shootin' star. Just wanna play on the rhythm guitar." Emmylou Harris, "Rhythm Guitar" from "The Ballad of Sally Rose"


   
ReplyQuote
(@trguitar)
Famed Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 3709
 

You guys look at the stirngs when you play?

"Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard,
grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em."
-- The Webb Wilder Credo --


   
ReplyQuote
Page 1 / 2