neck

Where are you?  Know where you are on the neck of the guitar. It sounds catchy, but it is practical.   Most guitarists learn scales with a root position on the fifth or sixth string, but...
Some guitarists can solo happily anywhere on the neck of their guitar: Knowing the scales is only half of it.   The other half is being able to play the various inversions of the scale.  ...
A good friend of mine, Bruce Howlett, kept a journal while building a guitar from a kit that is a worthwhile read for anyone thinking of following suit. You can read about the adventure, misadventure...