Selecting pixels on a layer using the magic wand

PS CS5
I have been trying to select individual pixels around a shape on a layer to create a mask to hide the semi transparent pixels but i cant seem to select individual pixels to add to the selection.
In some places along the path of the object I have been able to select some individual pixels, but in other parts, groups of pixels automatically get selected or even the whole path is selected.
How do i control this? I want to be able to only select the pixels i choose and not groups.
The settings i am using are:
Tolerance = 0
Contiguous - Selected
Sample all layers - Selected
I have tried doing this with each of the following settings to no avail:
New Selection
Add to selection
Subtract selection
Intersect with Selection
I was following a tutorial on the lullabots website to create a mask but can't reproduce the steps because of this problem
http://www.lullabot.com/articles/creating-awesome-new-icon
thanks in advance

One setting that you haven't listed and which can affect the Magic Wand tool is the Sample Size.
Activate the Eyedropper Tool, then right-click somewhere on your image. Make the sample size Point Sample. This will then tell the Magic Wand or any other tool that does an "eyedropper sample" operation to use the value of the single pixel you click on to gauge its operation.
I mention this because the coupling is modal and sometimes overlooked.
-Noel

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First, is the layer containing the photo of the sky selected? That might help.
But there are probably better ways to make selections than the magic wand, depending on the value ranges in the sky you wish to select.
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It's exactly where it has always been. If you're seeing the quick selection tool instead, click on it and hold until you get the flyout menu and click on the magic wand.

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Sorry if this is a basic question, but I have an image of a guitar which I want to cut out using the magic wand tool, but when I click on it, it seems to be trying to cut out all the details in between the strings on the fretboard, I just want the entire outline. Should I be increasing the sensitivity or the opposite, whatever I do it doesn't seem to work. the back ground is one, neutral colour so I thought it would be easy to do?
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You've already got better answer for what to use instead of the Magic Wand. I personally prefer the quick selection tool, however, are you aware that when using the magic wand you can hold down the shift key to add to your selection with your mouse, or hold down the Alt key to decrease the selection area that you want to cover.
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You can also use the pen tool to set anchor points around the areas you want to select creating a work path. Right click in your selections and choose "Make Selection"
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Thanks Mylenium.
If I use the Same Fill command, it does select both text areas. But if I then choose a replacement color (e.g., CMYK(0,0,0,100)) all of the text in both text areas is changed to black (i.e., the red text in my above illustration also changes to black).

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As Barbara pointed out, the lack of contrast between foreground and background precludes the use of the selection tools to good advantage.
I suggest that you photograph the furniture in other surroundings.
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Selecting pixels on a layer using the magic wand

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