Guitar Quirks - Little Things That Should Not Throw You Off But They Do

[unixfish]

I will start with two.

#1 - Block inlays. I played a friend's Les Paul a bit back. For some reason, the block inlays made me have to think harder to know where I was on the fretboard. I have no idea why - maybe because I usually only play Fenders, and I'm used to the dots? The large blocks without the right glasses just threw me off a bit.

#2 - Reverse headstocks. I have played a few in stores. I guess I am used to seeing the 6th string tuner, and use that to help acclimate where the first fret is. When the headstock just sloped away and I cannot see the tuner, I get an unnatural feeling like my hand will slide off the end of the neck. It just felt "odd".

 

[memorex]

Those half-moon edge-of-the-neck fret markers Gretsch uses on several models. I think they look stupid.

 

[Killing Floor]

Painted body-dark fingerboard-natural headstock.

I’m ok with all maple or all rosewood, etc. But bright painted body with the dark neck and looks like someone forgot to finish the job. Just paint the headstock if it’s got an ebony or rosewood board.

I don’t stress too much about the guitars I own like that but still, jeez, don’t be so cheap.

You wouldn’t buy a car with an unpainted hood.
And it wouldn’t occur to anyone to make one.

 

[Brent Hutto]

Now that you mention it I don't like block inlays. But if I really liked a guitar for other reasons I'm not sure I'd reject it just because of that.

Shape-wise I really don't like any pointy bits but again, I have an Ibanez that's pointy and I bought it in spite of not liking the shape.

One thing I really hate and it probably would make me not by a guitar is those "stop tail" bridges (not sure I that's the right name) but for intonation there's just a tiny little cam action thingy that lets the saddle move back and forth a fraction of an inch. That just seems nuts to me, one of the major benefits to an electric guitar is being able to completely adjust both action and intonation individually. Why do they put those on so many Gibson-derived guitars? Is it just for looks?

 

[DekeDog]

I play with my eyes closed.

 

[JIMMY JAZZMAN]

Those half-moon edge-of-the-neck fret markers Gretsch uses on several models. I think they look stupid.

It's funny, I don't think they look that bad but sometimes I forget what key I'm in because of those thumbnail
markers. I know it's me but with other guitars with dot inlays or the Gibson inlays I have no problems. It may be a mental
problem on my end. Perhaps I should see a professional. Nevermind.

 

[dsutton24]

I play with my eyes closed.

Yeah, well I play with my hands in my pockets.

 

[uriah1]

Flying v's and explorers..
Just feel odd and you can't sit with a flying v

 

[schmee]

Flying v's and explorers..
Just feel odd and you can't sit with a flying v

I just cant get one to sit right, hanging or sitting especially!

 

[telleutelleme]

Those extra special tulip tiny-a$$ little tuning pegs.

 

[HaWE]

Somehow I do not like guitars and basses without a headstock

 

[unixfish]

Somehow I do not like guitars and basses without a headstock
View attachment 1056949

Agreed. I played a Strandenberg recently - I found I had the same feeling as the left handed headstock. No visual "end" and my hand just might fly off the fretboard.

 

[BFcaster]

Gretsch wiring- the single tone knob is where the bridge volume should be IMHO. And why are there 3 volumes and 1 tone for a 2-pickup guitar?? I love my 5120 but after playing my Les Paul....

 

[HaWE]

Agreed. I played a Strandenberg recently - I found I had the same feeling as the left handed headstock. No visual "end" and my hand just might fly off the fretboard.

I always have the feeling there is something missing at the end of the neck.I do not like the whole design- maybe because I am too much a fan of those "normal" oldstyle guitars .

 

[11 Gauge]

It was a long time before I had a guitar with a Floyd Rose trem on it, and I discovered that part of my thumb and index finger would regularly make contact with the locking nut, in a slightly painful and uncomfortable way.

And on the topic of bridges, I just generally dislike any that aren't low profile, because I like to rest part of my picking hand on top, or sometimes I end up wrapping my pinky or ring finger around the lower side. I got a G&L ASAT Tribute about a year ago with the big old block of a bridge, and it's sometimes aggravating.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

Somehow I do not like guitars and basses without a headstock
View attachment 1056955

I was going to say that. I don't dislike them, but it's like reaching over to your sweetie in bed and

 

[El Marin]

Strats

 

[HaWE]

I somehow do not like tuners arranged like this.For me it always looks like someone had forgotten to drill a hole for the fourth tuner and therefore placed it on the lower side of the headstock.
I would always either put them all four in a row or two of them on each side- that single,poor lonely tuner on the lower side just does not look right to me.

 

[11 Gauge]

I guess I'll also be brave enough and admit that I just don't mostly care for '3-on-a-side tuner' headstocks. It's just more intuitive for me to have all the tuners in a row. I imagine I'd dislike the '4x2' stuff for the same reason. This all reminds me that I've never owned a 12-string guitar - I'd probably lose my mind with one of those!

I also dislike the 3-on-a-side for when it comes time to restring. I can never remember the right way to turn the pegs for one side versus the other. Yeah, I'm an idiot.

 

[HaWE]

......

I also dislike the 3-on-a-side for when it comes time to restring. I can never remember the right way to turn the pegs for one side versus the other. Yeah, I'm an idiot.

Although I like ( "normal shaped" ) headstocks with 3/3 tuners, I have the same problems like you.When changing strings, I always wonder which way to turn the tuners .... so you are not alone