Strange state of affairs when you have to disguise your thread as another whip-up-controversy one to talk about fingering guitar chords. Sneaky, rick.

I've been thumbing on the low E string for so long I don't even think about it. Your mom was right--3rd fret on the D string is not a very bassy note. Thumb low F in F chord, F# to add flavour to a D chord, or for F#m, and god knows what else.

At least half the time when I play an F, I finger the top 2 strings, let the G string ring open (so I guess it's a ninth), and finger the F and C for an alternateable bass.

Only time I ever notice is when someone comments on it.

Willie-O