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 Post subject: Physical markers on neck
PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 7:40 am 
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Koa
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A friend shared that he is going blind in his left eye, Doctors say there’s nothing they can do he’s been to a couple for a second opinion.
He asked if markers could be put on the neck to help him know where he’s at.
I suggested drill dimples but he wasn’t very receptive to that idea, he would like something that could be stuck on and then removed with little or no damage to the guitar.
Any of y’all have suggestions?

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 7:44 am 
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Koa
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Little strips of masking tape? Don’t use blue tape on nitro.


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 12:52 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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You could use a small leather punch to create small dots with something thicker like duct tape of an agreeable color.

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These users thanked the author Terence Kennedy for the post: Chris Pile (Sat Jun 20, 2026 3:29 pm)
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 2:26 pm 
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I'd put a long strip of scotch tape along the back of the neck with lumps of something under it. Smoother feel and more durable than individually stuck-on markers. Comes in gloss or satin to match the original finish, too :) Although the satin kind is murder to get off when it's old and shreds to bits instead of peeling.


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 5:20 pm 
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I see a brail instrument coming up. it would be a nice detail to be able to feel where you are on the neck if you can't see the FB or the side markers.

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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 8:53 pm 
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The bumpy sidewalk surfaces that alert sight impaired folks to their surroundings are called truncated domes. Maybe you can find the smallest sized peel and stick vinyl feet, like we put on the bottoms of guitar pedals, and stick those on the neck.


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 9:51 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Build up a whiteout bump.


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PostPosted: Tue Jun 23, 2026 3:50 am 
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At my local craft shop in the UK I can buy a pack of 271 peel and stick pearl dots. These are hemispheres, so easily felt. I'm sure something similar will be available in the US.

You could experiment with every possible placement and still have dots left over!

Image


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PostPosted: Wed Jun 24, 2026 8:09 am 
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Many years ago, I was hired to supply and engineer sound for a Liona Boyd concert. A very demanding gig, due to the requirements that were outlined to me, just before the sound check part of the concert began!!!
Too many details to list here……. After I had done everything that was requested, as far as speaker placement, etc, etc. (don’t get me wrong, Ms. Boyd was very diplomatic and couldn’t have been nicer concerning her requirements), she asked me to play her guitar, so she could walk around the venue and listen to the general sound. To my surprise the guitar she handed me, had small sticky dots (just paper) stuck on the upper part of the back of the guitar neck at the 5th, 7th, & 9th positions. Well, my playing didn’t blow anyone away that day lol, but thankfully the sound in the hall met with her approval. She was a lovely person and wonderful guitarist by the way.
Sorry for the long story, but it just came to mind when I saw this thread.
Maybe just sticky dots from the dollar store. If they don’t need to be permanent.

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These users thanked the author Cal Maier for the post: Kbore (Sun Jun 28, 2026 3:04 pm)
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 3:14 pm 
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Koa
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You did say "something that could be stuck on and then removed with little or no damage to the guitar."

Thinking out loud, and in violation of the rules, but why couldn't one use the side marker dot/ rod material, easily installed it wherever you like- either or both sides of fretboard or back/ side of neck, and leave it slightly proud. An infinite choice of height and texture could be applied and modified with ease. It could easily be sanded flush/ reversed should the instrument ever change hands. Its inexpensive, easy to install and mostly invisible to the "audience". My place of choice would be the neck proper, treble side, where the first-finger palm-rides the neck.

Or blue tack putty.....

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PostPosted: Tue Jun 30, 2026 8:35 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Not to sound glib, butI find after years of playing I (and many other people) don't use the markers.Some of my favorite players were born blind, or became blind at some point.


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 01, 2026 7:10 am 
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My experience is the same as Brads. When I was learning to play in the 60’s I used to lay in bed and play with my eyes closed, I’ve never payed much attention to fret markers since. Regardless, everyone is different and guitars are for making music, so if the guy wants markers then give him markers. Temporary stick-on dots to see if it works for him then do something more permanent if desired/needed. I like the idea of side dot plastic rod with rounded tops. Easy to cut flush down the road and then just touch up the finish.

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