Issue #885 Mon 23 Feb
Strands hints — February 23, 2026
A steady rhythm to the morning, regardless of the tempo. This grid offers a balanced walk through the familiar.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
Calloused fingertips meeting steel, the resonance rising through the wood.
Musical instrument construction
PLUCKED INSTRUMENT COMPONENTS
Spangram 4 nudges · 6 letters
The connector word
Single word noun
6 letters.
Starts with G, ends with R.
GUITAR
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 B (4 letters)
- 2 B (6 letters)
- 3 F (9 letters)
- 4 H (9 letters)
- 5 N (4 letters)
- 6 P (4 letters)
- 7 S (6 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 BO (4 letters)
- 2 BR (6 letters)
- 3 FR (9 letters)
- 4 HE (9 letters)
- 5 NE (4 letters)
- 6 PE (4 letters)
- 7 ST (6 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
The hollow chamber that amplifies the vibration.
4 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BO.
BODY
Theme word 2 of 7 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
The anchor point holding everything in place above the sound hole.
6 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BR.
BRIDGE
Theme word 3 of 7 5 nudges · 9 letters
A theme word
The long, mapped surface where you place your fingers to change pitch.
9 letters.
Starts with F.
Starts with FR.
FRETBOARD
Theme word 4 of 7 5 nudges · 9 letters
A theme word
The top section where the tension is adjusted.
9 letters.
Starts with H.
Starts with HE.
HEADSTOCK
Theme word 5 of 7 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
The slender, supportive piece connecting the main chamber to the top.
4 letters.
Starts with N.
Starts with NE.
NECK
Theme word 6 of 7 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
The small rotating pins used to tighten or loosen the tension.
4 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PE.
PEGS
Theme word 7 of 7 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
The thin, vibrating material that produces a note when plucked.
6 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STRING