Thin guy's alternative notes (4)
I believe the answer is:
cord
'thin guy's' is the definition.
(guy is a type of rope)
'alternative notes' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'alternative' could be 'or' and 'or' is found in the answer.
'notes' could be 'cd' and 'cd' is present in the leftover letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
(Other definitions for cord that I've seen before include "Thin string" , "A measure of cut wood" , "Small rope; flex" , "Rope; fabric" , "Small rope or thick string" .)