Author Topic: L.E.D's (Read 954 times)

mgirouard3 · « **on:** October 11, 2004, 02:08:32 PM »

I have two battery compartments on the back of my bass. One compartment holds one 9 volt and the other holds four. Which one powers the led's? Also where can I find more info on this Q switch I have been hearing about? Thanks.

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2004, 02:14:14 PM »

The 4-pack is the LED supply, it's entirely separate from the 1 9V that powers the bass.

Essence basses don't usually have Q switches, they have the Q preset to 8dB boost, which is like a Q switch that is on all the time.

The Q works with the filter. When you're playing, up is flat filter response, down adds an 8dB boost to the cutoff frequency you've tuned on the filter control (the highest included fequency). This affects the attack of the note primarily.

If you hold a note and flick the switch, it won't sound much different. If you play a short passage with the switch in either position, you'll hear a more percussive attack when the Q switch is on (down). You can also have fun by sustaining a note with the Q siwtch on and rotating the filter back and forth for an interesting wah-wah effect. The higher the Q, the more dramatic the effect.

If you want to add a Q switch to your Essence, please call us at 707 523 2611 to place your order. You will have to drill a mounting hole in the bass and desolder and solder one component. Complete instructions are included.

mgirouard3 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2004, 11:56:18 AM »

Thanks Mica,

I placed my order today.

Max

thebass · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2004, 04:37:46 AM »

Hello,

does anyone has any experience with HotDotz-LEDs (http://www.hotdotz.com) ? I want to attach them to my EPIC fretless 4. Any input welcome.

Werner

palembic · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2004, 05:02:01 AM »

Hey ...cool idea freund Werner.
That's what I'll do one day too.
Is it expensive??? Can you get them easily in Germany??

PTBO

thebass · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2004, 08:44:02 AM »

Well, I'm looking for the red LEDs with the additional brightness switch. The unit is only $60 but I have no idea what the shipping/customs etc. will be. I wrote them an email asking for these infos but no response yet. I don't know if there's a distributor in Germany or Belgium but I didn't search yet.

What makes the unit so attractive for me is that it can be easily applied by yourself without any permanent modification to the instrument.

muller1007 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 25, 2004, 11:14:25 AM »

I actually have a Hotdotz red LED array attached to my Mark King Signature and they work great! I've ordered the type without the brightness control, because the brightness switch wasn't available on the red LEDs when I purchased them.

Hotdotz are a great product! It is very easy to attach the array to the side of your fingerboard, without any modification. The only thing you'll have to take into account is that there will be a small(it exactly fits two AAA batteries) battery pack on the back of your headstock and a customized lead wire from the pack to the LED array is noticable (not conspicuous).

The LED array is custom made for your particular bass, so it fits perfectly. It is very easy to attach, as long as you follow the mounting instructions carefully, and thoroughly clean the side of the fingerboard, prior to attaching the array. Make sure there is no dust between the adhesive side of the array and the side of your fingerboard, as the dust might light up as tiny bright sparkles when the array is turned on.

Once attached, the array stay firmly at its place, even when you usually have a firm grip around the neck. It just doesn't move. You will hardly notice the array is attached to the neck of your bass. It is extremely thin and transparant. The neck's feel doesn't change.

The LEDs are bright and there you have the advantage of having personal position illumination on your bass, at a relatively low price.

The warranty works great as well. My LED array had one LED that was slightly less bright than the other LEDs. When I mentioned this, the manufacturer instantly offered me to attach a completely new LED array on the battery pack, no charge. When necessary, the LED array removes easily from your bass, leaving only little residue behind. The residue can be removed with Goo Gone (recommended by Alembic) or Acetone. The array cannot be used again after removing it.

There is no other distibutor. As far as I know, it is a one man enterprise. Shipping to Europe is $13. For that money the array is very duly packed and will arrive in perfect order.

When you're looking for an illumination aid for you precious Alembic, at a very reasonable price, I highly recommend this product.

Duncan

thebass · « **Reply #7 on:** October 25, 2004, 04:17:00 PM »

Thanks for your info, Duncan. That's exactly what I was looking for.

Werner

thebass · « **Reply #8 on:** October 26, 2004, 09:57:10 AM »

I ordered one today. I will post my experience here.

palembic · « **Reply #9 on:** October 31, 2004, 04:19:35 AM »

Great Werner,

I had an experience this weekend in an Irish pub were I could have used such device. Please let us share your experience!

Paul the bad one

harald_rost · « **Reply #10 on:** October 31, 2004, 05:56:55 AM »

Hi Duncan,

how long do the battery last?

Harald

muller1007 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 31, 2004, 03:50:52 PM »

Harald,

I haven't got the LEDs that long, so I have not really found that out yet. However, during the 15+ hours I've used them so far they haven't lost their brightness.

The standard red Hotdotz (or when switched to High position when you have the brighness control) are brighter than the Alembic standard LEDs. The manufacturer claims that brightness becomes noticably less after appoximately 30 hours of use. After that the brightness is still comparable with the Alembic standard side LEDs.
According to the manufacturer, battery replacement is recommended after 50(!) hours of use.

So I guess the LEDs do not drain the batteries very fast. After the batteries have become dead, they can be very easily replaced by two new AAA batteries.

Duncan

smokin_dave · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2004, 06:28:18 AM »

Hi Duncan,
The only question I have for you is how does lemon oil affect the array?I would hate to purchase this product and have the application of lemon oil to my fret board ruin the array.

Thanks

muller1007 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2004, 12:52:27 AM »

David,

According to Roz of Hotdotz, lemon oil does not affect the array, as long as you don't soak the adhesive strip with excessive amounts of oil.

Duncan

smokin_dave · « **Reply #14 on:** November 02, 2004, 05:00:27 AM »

Thanks Duncan,
That would be a tough call since I use quite a bit of lemon oil on my fret board when the time comes to do such.I may give it a go any way and just be careful when slathering on the oil.