Helpful Information and Easy to Follow Instructions

The first section of this page contains instructions for determining your guitars scale length. Please read the instructions carefully, then measure twice to make sure you have a guitar that is 25" to 25.5" in scale length.
The second section gives tips on how to color code your own sheet music.
The third section contains a photo montage of how to put the Note Map on your guitar. These instructions apply to the Don't Fret Note Map for Bass Guitar as well.

Please Note: In the interest of making sure everyone's instrument retains the fine qualities it possessed when it was manufactured, we provide the following advice. If you have a guitar that has a delicate finish, or just have a special appreciation for your guitar's finish, we strongly advise that you remove our products from your instrument when not in use. Our initial tests on the neck of a US made Fender Strat and a Yamaha F310 revealed no discernable change in either instrument. We do not recommend you duplicate this test.

How to find your guitars scale length.
These unique guitar learning aids are designed to work on acoustic guitars and electric guitars that have a 25" to 25.5" scale length, and bass guitars that have a 34" scale length. To determine your instruments scale length, measure from the fretboard side of the nut to the body side of the bridge stop. Usually the nut is a white piece of bone or acrylic that is at the very top of your fretboard where the strings start over the fretboard. It has little grooves filed in it to "cradle" the strings. The bridge is at the other end of the strings. On an acoustic guitar it's usually made of wood and has a bone or acrylic "stop" fitted in it that the strings go over. On an electric guitar the bridge is usually metal and has small adjustment screws and springs and things. What you are measuring is the effective vibrating (scale) length of the string. For best results using our products the measurement should be 25" to 25.5" for guitars (scale length of most entry-level guitars) and 34" for bass guitars. Another method is to measure from the nut to the twelfth fret wire and multiply by two.

How to color-code your own sheet music.
If you are a beginner, start with easy songs. You will need seven colored marking pens. Be sure to get markers that correspond with the color scheme on the Note Map. Use the information on our Music Theory page to help you determine appropriate note names and colors, and how to find them on your piece of sheet music. Color each note with the corresponding color. Now, have some fun finding the correct notes in the correct order on your instrument. Listening to the song can be useful also. With practice you will quickly learn to color-code your own music. In time you will be able to progress to more elaborate songs.

Here's how easy it is to "Put it on and Play Guitar "

Step One: Peel Map off of backing paper. Save backing paper to re-use.

Step Two: Slide Map over the fretboard and under the strings. Make sure the Map is under all the strings.

Step Three: Position Map correctly. There are eleven fret holes on the Map. Position the first fret hole on the Map over the first fret wire on the fretboard, then align the rest of the fret holes with the corresponding fret wires on the fretboard. Make sure the note names are right side up in relation to how you play the guitar.

Step Four: Stretch the Map over the fretboard to form a vinyl "skin" on the fretboard.

Step Five: Wrap one flap around the back of the neck and press flat.

Step Six: Stretch and wrap the second flap around the back of the neck and press over first flap.

Step Seven: Smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles on fretboard.

The Don't Fret Note Map™ or Don't Fret Chord Map™ does not effect tonal quality or playability of your instrument. If you get a buzz on any string(s), check to see if the vinyl is touching the string. If it is, simply re-stretch the vinyl skin in the fret space area where the contact occurs.

Don't Fret Productions™ maps are made of the highest quality vinyl available. All printing utilizes long lasting professional grade silk screening inks. We do not recommend that you leave the vinyl on your guitar for extended periods of time. Remember: Easy on, easy off. Please do not let small children play with the vinyl.

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