jazzyvee Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 Sure thing, I will see if i can get some time today to tale some pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 The FretFX website is pretty informative, but I haven't yet worked out how you actually attach the LED strip to a bass! I have built-in LEDs on my Streamline (with an on/off switch) and I'd happily add side LEDs to any bass. I wear reading glasses (as one does at my age) and the side dots on a bass are exactly the same distance from my eyes as a paperback book. I'm sick to death of wearing reading glasses at gigs ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 6 minutes ago, Happy Jack said: The FretFX website is pretty informative, but I haven't yet worked out how you actually attach the LED strip to a bass! I have built-in LEDs on my Streamline (with an on/off switch) and I'd happily add side LEDs to any bass. I wear reading glasses (as one does at my age) and the side dots on a bass are exactly the same distance from my eyes as a paperback book. I'm sick to death of wearing reading glasses at gigs ... It seems to be a sticky backed plastic arrangement in one of the YT videos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 Are squeezy washing-up bottles involved at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 Just now, Happy Jack said: Are squeezy washing-up bottles involved at all? Hahahaha! No. Nor is Valerie Singletons knicker elastic under threat. It looked like you have to cover the back of the neck with the stuff but I'm not sure if it's the same product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 (edited) Yeah it is a sticky backed led strip which is slim. I use my thumb round the neck sometimes to silence open B and E strings when slapping so that extra couple of millimitres are noticeable at first but soon you get used to it and it's not a big part of my playing so they have never been a problem. Edited July 2, 2018 by jazzyvee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 42 minutes ago, jazzyvee said: Yeah it is a sticky backed led strip which is slim. I use my thumb round the neck sometimes to silence open B and E strings when slapping so that extra couple of millimitres are noticeable at first but soon you get used to it and it's not a bit part of my playing so they have never been a problem. Is that strip just the same width as the fingerboard's depth? I think the YT clip I saw may have been another product or a development of a similar idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 These were taken in a room in the daytime with curtains closed so subdued light and the battery is about 18 months old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 They don't look too intrusive. I am sure my fireman could make do with some of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 I had a Spector with a 3 way switch, off/edge/edge and front. the edge stuff was great for a stint at the Lowry Theatre. The Front ones only got used when I was being silly... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 36 minutes ago, AndyTravis said: I had a Spector with a 3 way switch, off/edge/edge and front. the edge stuff was great for a stint at the Lowry Theatre. The Front ones only got used when I was being silly... It wasn't a black SSD-era Spector, was it, with the SSD pickups and SimS aqua blue LEDs? If so, that's my old bass... miss that one. It had growl in spades. To contribute to the thread, here's my son modelling my LED'd up Sei: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 (edited) 47 minutes ago, Russ said: It wasn't a black SSD-era Spector, was it, with the SSD pickups and SimS aqua blue LEDs? If so, that's my old bass... miss that one. It had growl in spades. To contribute to the thread, here's my son modelling my LED'd up Sei: Is was an NS-94 in Cherry Burst with Amber SIMS leds (very much like this) Edited July 2, 2018 by AndyTravis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 I've made some LEDs looms for my own build basses - I quite like them but they are a pain to make and fit. I've used individual surface mount LEDs which are 0.8mm x 1.6mm and are therefore a pain to solder normally. Here's how green LEDs look on a finished bass: And this is a neck with white LEDs I've built for a project (and am still building....) I've built 4 necks (and have another fretboard with them installed for yet another project) so far with LEDs but haven't tried flashing, multicoloured ones....that is a step too far for me!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted July 2, 2018 Share Posted July 2, 2018 51 minutes ago, Jabba_the_gut said: I've made some LEDs looms for my own build basses - I quite like them but they are a pain to make and fit. I've used individual surface mount LEDs which are 0.8mm x 1.6mm and are therefore a pain to solder normally. Here's how green LEDs look on a finished bass: And this is a neck with white LEDs I've built for a project (and am still building....) I've built 4 necks (and have another fretboard with them installed for yet another project) so far with LEDs but haven't tried flashing, multicoloured ones....that is a step too far for me!! I like the look of that first one - any more pics? I think you should make a thread in the gear porn section of all your completed builds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 13 hours ago, jazzyvee said: Cool. I understand the battery is located on the headstock. One of the FAQ vids for fretfx says that it isn't supplied for fitment with the battery on the body, nearer the centre of gravity. If you already have neck dive this could exaggerate it. It looks like a reversible modification. It would certainly be a way of finding if there is any value to lighting up your instrument. It sounds like you are happy with yours JV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted July 3, 2018 Share Posted July 3, 2018 I think putting the battery behind the headstock is a practical non invasive strategy and I can't imagine how it would be done on the body without getting in the way or requiring mods/routing to hold the battery and cable. It's a very lightweight plastic battery holder and uses those coin sized batteries so is very light. those short scale alembics are noted for nose diving but I haven't noticed any increase in that from the installation. I personally have not had any problems with this type of fret led. The previous version of the Fretfx held two AAA or AA , ( not sure exactly), batteries and had two switchable differing brightness levels. I've had that on one bass I think since about 2007 ish and the plastic that goes over the nut has gone brittle and broken away leaving the wire exposed and sometimes it shorts out on the nut/ I used to put some tape over it but it looks fugly! But the type I have on now is fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted July 4, 2018 Share Posted July 4, 2018 On 23/06/2018 at 23:41, josie said: This morning I saw a good new British Country band with the bass player playing what looked and sounded like a pretty good through-neck Alembic - from the body shape I think it was a Stanley Clarke - but with red LED fretboard markers. Why? Strictly imho, it looked garish and distracting and completely inappropriate. Had a chance to chat to him later, and succeeded in having a pleasant conversation about Alembics and through-necks without mentioning the LEDs. Has anyone else seen one of these at a gig, and what did you think? Some peeps must like them enough to buy them, or Alembic wouldn't make them... I've had side LEDS in the past and my hopefully soon-to-be-ordered next Sei will also have them. They're fantastic in low light situations, have saved my bacon a few times. Quite happy with front LEDs too, although they can cause issues if your fretboard needs work. Just one of those things, some people like 'em, some don't, but they do have a practical application. It's not just Alembic who do them BTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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