Author Topic: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?  (Read 1573 times)

Clarky

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Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« on: November 30, 2018, 12:05:43 PM »
My '79 Series 1 shorty has rather faded side dots which are virtually impossible to see on a dark stage. The cost of retrofitting LEDs is pretty hefty (£450; around $550-600) in the UK so I wondered if anyone has tried installing Luminlay fluorescent side dots on their bass and how they have worked out?

edwardofhuncote

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2018, 12:17:42 PM »
There is a thread around here somewhere Clarky, on specifically that issue. I'll look for it more thoroughly, but meantime...


...your bass being an older Series I, probably has the smallish silver dots, correct? Try a little polish on the tip of a cotton swab. I seem to remember that advice being given. If it has finish on the sides of the ebony fingerboard, this may not help at all. A rubber pencil eraser will also shine up tarnished silver.


Hang on, I'll look for that thread...

lbpesq

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2018, 12:23:26 PM »
I tried the "glow-in-the-dark" dots and was less than thrilled.  The glow didn't last very long. 

However, you can easily polish your side dots so they are significantly more visible.  Here's a post on how to polish the dots from Mica from several years ago:

"You can lightly sand the edge of the fingerboard - take care to only hit the Ebony with the sandpaper since there's no finish on the fingerboard but there is finish on the neck. Use a fine sandpaper like 400 or higher and then use a drop of lemon oil to restore the blackness of the wood. 
 
This side dots are probably bronze on your bass, and while not as bright as the aluminum we use now, you should be able to see them. 
 
Good luck!"

I have done this numerous times.  It really works quite well.   Another option is FretFX, an LED strip that sticks on the side which a small coin battery box on the back of the head-stock.  I have a guitar with FretFX installed and many people on this site have used them.  About $99.  They work quite well and are thin enough that they don't get in the way of playing.

Bill, tgo

Clarky

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2018, 12:24:56 PM »
Ahhh interesting gents! Tarnished silver or bronze would explain why they are so dull. Thank you ... although I am still interested in Luminlay as I have fading vision lol!

edwardofhuncote

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2018, 12:30:35 PM »
Here's one thread Clarky: http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=4598.msg55103#msg55103

I could swear we had a 'sticky' on this in the FAQ somewhere.

*Bill found the Jackpot anyway! ;D
« Last Edit: November 30, 2018, 12:32:36 PM by edwardofhuncote »

Clarky

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2018, 12:36:24 PM »
Many thanks!

gtrguy

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2018, 11:36:05 AM »
My series has aftermarket LEDs with a 9 volt behind the head and they work great.

edwin

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #7 on: December 02, 2018, 03:20:44 PM »
I have Luminlays in my Starfire and they are very hit or miss. The real factor is whether the stage lights are sufficient to recharge the dots. Of course, charging with the little flashlight is ineffective to give you a charge for a whole set, but whatever the bigger stages use for lights work pretty well, as the dots recharge when the lights hit it and then glow when it gets darker. Cheaper LED light rigs don't seem to do it. However, even when they aren't glowing, they are reasonably visible.

My experience is that sometimes I forget they are there and then find myself on a stage with a good lighting rig and am pleasantly surprised. Real LEDs would be great, but I'm not quite ready to drop the coin for the fingerboard replacement, etc., although I need to do it because my frets are not quite in the wrong place, so I might as well do the whole thing.

jazzyvee

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #8 on: December 03, 2018, 12:07:45 AM »
Hi Clarky, i have fretFX led strips on my S1 shorty and they are really good. The  slight extra neck width is not an issue for me. . However you may have a problem getting them in short scale now. When i contacted Fretfx to get mine the guy told me he was just finalising a manufacturing deal with a company and once that was up and running, short scale strips would no longer be made. But he agreed to make mine as long as i agreed in writing to waive any warrantee claims. As i already had a set previously i did not forsee a problem. It might be worth contacting them if you are interested inn that type. Things may have changed in the 2 to 3 years since i had mine.
The sound of Alembic is medicine for the soul!
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Clarky

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #9 on: December 03, 2018, 01:57:53 AM »
Thanks Jazzyvee and others responding. Will contact FretFx

edwin

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2018, 12:03:56 PM »
I got the FretFX strips for my Modulus and the strip was a mess. It didn't install correctly and got destroyed in the process. They were unresponsive about getting another or dealing with it. But, that was quite a while ago, so they may have gotten better about that kind of thing in the interim.

StephenR

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #11 on: December 04, 2018, 03:20:18 PM »
When I looked into getting the FretFX for my medium scale Series bass they were only selling long scale versions. I also read mixed reviews as to how bright they actually were so I never pursued it further.

Will be interested to hear if it works out for you.

Clarky

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #12 on: December 04, 2018, 03:29:07 PM »
Well, based on the last few comments I don't think they will either (a) make them for my shorty or (b) even if they do make them, work that well. Maybe I will just try the short cut of fluorescent paper dot stickers for now and save up for Sims LEDs ...

lbpesq

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #13 on: December 04, 2018, 04:33:21 PM »
My FretFX are plenty bright.  I got them in green.  In fact, I use a partially depleted battery because I find them too bright with a fully charged battery.  One does have to be careful and GO SLOWLY when applying the strip.  I took my time and had no problems.  I know Wolf (Sonicus) recently put some on one of his basses, so he has the most recent experience of dealing with the company that I'm aware of.  Perhaps he'll chime in on this thread. 

Bill, tgo

StephenR

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Re: Dull side dots; anyone tried Luminlay dots?
« Reply #14 on: December 04, 2018, 06:27:02 PM »
Just took a quick look at the website. For bass they currently offer 34" and 35" scale. You can order custom made ones in other scale lengths but as jazzyvee already mentioned there is no 2-year warranty like on the stock lengths. They also want you to call them before ordering a custom scale length.