Have you ever felt that your hand positioning was somehow holding you back?

Have You Considered The Impact Thumb Placement Can Have On Guitar Technique?

First of all, the thumb placement in and around the first position of the guitar in the photo is being crowded out by too much wood.  For the sake of calling it something I like to refer to this problem area as the “Thumb Crest” area. Some necks have too much wood here.  The photos here show just how intrusive the thumb crest area can be. Hence, on a neck with that problem we shave it. In the photo you’ll see I have moved it back about 3/4″ to give the hand more space in the first position. The area is less crowded, accessed easier, your thumb is free, and now there is more room on the neck to play.

Any way to make playing easier is always good and that’s our job at the Haywire Custom Shop.

thumb placement in and around the first position of the guitar in the photo was being crowded: Haywire Custom Guitars

thumb placement in and around the first position of the guitar in the photo was being crowded: Haywire Custom Guitars

Seems like the base position for the thumb placement is just in the middle of the neck. It’s opposite but almost in line with your index finger on the fret side of the guitar neck. Furthermore, this is a good spot to begin.  It may not be where you want YOUR thumb placed depending on what style music you are playing. Understandably the size of your hand will impact comfort level and your general technique.

get comfortable playing your guitar

Because your style will also have a lot to do with where you put your thumb, get comfortable playing guitar. Your thumb placement position has an impact of where your fingers can or cannot reach. For example if you play “thumb over the 6th string” it will be harder to reach other notes with the remaining fingers. Just as anything is “adjustable” At Haywire Custom Shop we can shave and shape the contour of your neck.  As a result, the thumb placement that you require is as comfortable as you need it. Just ask us, and we’ll do it for you.