jebroad Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 I've got some ideas for an led fret board. Treble offset translucent dot markers with a channel routed in the neck for the LEDs. Just wondering if anyone has any experience in this. I have some experience in electronics i effects pedals and such and this looks quite simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Use only one LED in the electronics cavity with some optic fibers going directly to the side dots nor fretboard dots, so when the LED burns, it will be easy to fix... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jebroad Posted February 27, 2018 Author Share Posted February 27, 2018 11 minutes ago, Hellzero said: Use only one LED in the electronics cavity with some optic fibers going directly to the side dots nor fretboard dots, so when the LED burns, it will be easy to fix... What diameter cable should i use? The inlays are 7mm diameter if it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Depends on your routing possibilities, but on my Aries these were the basic ones like 3mm diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jebroad Posted February 27, 2018 Author Share Posted February 27, 2018 1 minute ago, Hellzero said: Depends on your routing possibilities, but on my Aries these were the basic ones like 3mm diameter. will the route, i plan on 8mm wide and not too sure on depth, be big enough for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Buy some length of optic fiber of your choice and then check before gluing if you need to route more, that's the best I can tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 I've done the fibre optic thing and not sure I would do it again. They're a pain to work with and they have to be really quite small to bend enough to get them in place. It's also quite a big bunch of fibres compared to the wires of an LED chain. It does have the benefit of not having to worry about the bulb going though. Theres a tutorial for both LEDs and fibre optics over on talkbass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jebroad Posted February 27, 2018 Author Share Posted February 27, 2018 13 minutes ago, Manton Customs said: I've done the fibre optic thing and not sure I would do it again. They're a pain to work with and they have to be really quite small to bend enough to get them in place. It's also quite a big bunch of fibres compared to the wires of an LED chain. It does have the benefit of not having to worry about the bulb going though. Theres a tutorial for both LEDs and fibre optics over on talkbass. Sounds good. I’m quite a fan of you guys at manton as I’ve fallen in love with me of your basses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 So, what do you do when a LED burns... Deglue the whole fretboard ? I had a bass where it happened and not a cheap one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jebroad Posted February 27, 2018 Author Share Posted February 27, 2018 3 minutes ago, Hellzero said: So, what do you do when a LED burns... Deglue the whole fretboard ? I had a bass where it happened and not a cheap one... Both these methods have advantages and disadvantages. The fibre optic method is great for lifespan but the individual LED method is easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 12 minutes ago, Hellzero said: So, what do you do when a LED burns... Deglue the whole fretboard ? I had a bass where it happened and not a cheap one... What I was saying is there are compromises with both if you're installing yourself and there's only so big you could go with fibres. The original poster is asking about installation so I thought I'd chime in with my personal experience of doing just that. Removing the fretboard to replace a burnt out LED would definitely suck but it's not impossible either. They do tend to last a very long time also. Ive also heard of people cracking fibres when removing the neck on a bolt on bass too. Which would be just as bad as a burnt out LED. Anyway...my preference is luminlay :p. Obviously not the same effect as either but does the job on a dark stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Yes, Luminlay with the special LED light charger is also to consider. I have this on my Stradi Symphony fretless 5. Great too and Michael Tobias uses them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Link to Luminlay : http://www.luminlay.com/productsen.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 +1 for Luminlay. Have these on a couple of ACGs and it's a great solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 I have Luminlay on my Sadowsky and my two Dingwalls. I also have SIMS Custom LEDs on my Conklin. Doing Luminlay from now on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Luminlay on 2 ACG's and a third bass is with a local luthier being Luminlayed as we speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Luminay on my Maruszczyk - well worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 I have the Luminlay system in my Psilos Bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushscored4 Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 I bought a cheap ibanez for a few hundred quid off Facebook a few years ago with LED inlays and a psychedelic disco finish. I use it occasionally for functions in parts of Cheshire and Lancashire where people still stop and stare at bright lights... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 5 minutes ago, rushscored4 said: I bought a cheap ibanez for a few hundred quid off Facebook a few years ago with LED inlays and a psychedelic disco finish. I use it occasionally for functions in parts of Cheshire and Lancashire where people still stop and stare at bright lights... I’m in love! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushscored4 Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 41 minutes ago, fretmeister said: I’m in love! I need to join an Earth Wind & Fire tribute band! 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 On 2/27/2018 at 22:59, Manton Customs said: What I was saying is there are compromises with both if you're installing yourself and there's only so big you could go with fibres. The original poster is asking about installation so I thought I'd chime in with my personal experience of doing just that. Removing the fretboard to replace a burnt out LED would definitely suck but it's not impossible either. They do tend to last a very long time also. Ive also heard of people cracking fibres when removing the neck on a bolt on bass too. Which would be just as bad as a burnt out LED. Anyway...my preference is luminlay :p. Obviously not the same effect as either but does the job on a dark stage. I'd say for most musicians, most of the time the Luminlayr system will be fine. However it's not without it's own set of problems. Firstly it's nowhere near as bright as an LED or fibre system and secondly if you lose the recharging torch they aren't going to be any use at all, and you can guarantee you won't realise you've lost the torch (or left it at home) until 5 minutes before your are due to go on stage for an important gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Just now, BigRedX said: secondly if you lose the recharging torch they aren't going to be any use at all I don't have a recharging torch, I find the glow from just being in the light works - if I wanted more I would just put it next to one of the stage lights for a bit. Not of course saying that if I had I bass like the ibby up there with the lights I wouldn't gig it everywhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 Any UV lighting will do the job, like the sun for instance and most of the now found everywhere LED lights as they are not filtered except if there is a real glass panel between the source and the Luminlay's. Real glass being a natural UV filter. Ever tried to tan behind a window ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikkoantt Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 I have used my phones light to charge luminlay dots on my MTD SARATOGA 5 USA. They last one set about 45 mins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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