Author Topic: FretFX (Hotdotz) (Read 356 times)

zn_bassman · « **on:** January 03, 2006, 02:34:42 AM »

An archive search showed me that there are quite a few club members who are happy with their FretFX (Hotdotz) add-on side LEDs.

I'm considering buying a set for my Rogue 4-string. If you're NOT happy with them, I'd love to hear about it (on- or off-board).

In particular, I'd like to hear if crazy playing a-la Entwistle, Sheehan, et al is hindered in any way or uproots the strip. Also, I'm looking to add a Hipshot detuner to my E string - it would be great to hear from anybody who has tried the Hipshot-FretFX combination.

Would also like to hear any customer service horror stories.

Here's their website: www.fretfx.com

matthijs · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2006, 03:41:05 AM »

I'm quite pleased with my hipshot/fretfx enabled Essence 4. I don't know about playing with your thumb over it as I rarely do that but regarding the hipshot: There was only just enough room on my headstock to place the battery pack bacause of it.

Luckily the customer service seems to be quite good, the person I was in contact with asked me to send measurements and photo's of the headstock to make sure it would fit.

palembic · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2006, 04:13:11 AM »

I -and Bonnie- are happy with the Hotdotz sidelights.
The only inconvenience I heard of -but didn't live through it yet- is the fact that those lights are glued ON! So ...it IS something that with your thumb around the neck is feelable.
I heard the warning that lifting heavy basses -yep Bonnie is one those- with the neck your hands frirmly gripped around the neck COULD damage the glueing!
I didn't had ANY of that kind but I CAN imagine it COULD happen.

Paul the bad one

zn_bassman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2006, 05:36:46 AM »

Thanks to both of you for the valuable input!

lowave · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2006, 10:34:19 AM »

I just put Fret-fx on my Essence5. I am quite happy with them. The strip is really tiny and has absolutely no affect on my playing. I recommend you go for it.

mgirouard3 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2006, 01:07:23 PM »

while my essence had factory installed side leds, my modulus did not. You have to be very carefull about applying them because once they are on you can not move them without destroying the led array. I happend to put mine on a little off by accident so I can see the origional side dot to the side of the led when the led is off. Other than that, they are really cool.

smokin_dave · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2006, 09:16:53 PM »

I installed them on my Rogue and did the same as you mgirouard3.Just slightly off but I am still very happy with the results.Even though a few people I work with thinks it's kinda cheesy,the LED's really help me out on dark stages.Besides,I did it for myself and not anybody else so screw 'em.I rarely drape my thumb over the neck so it's not really a problem and if I did,the array is so thin I wouldn't notice it much.It's a very cost effective way to see in the dark and a really good buy in my book.

zn_bassman · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2006, 12:03:50 AM »

Thanks guys, looks like I'll go ahead and get a set. And I'll watch out for the measurements when I install.

bassicinstincts · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2006, 10:35:24 AM »

I'm wondering whether they could make a set for my old Hohner B2A headless wonder, and have the wire run down to a battery pack near where the leg rest swings out?

Saves me having to buy a Status Graphite Kingbass I suppose. I'm a bit worried I am getting too attached to headless basses and won't be able to get on with my 1st Alembic (when I've enough cash!!)

Ben

lowave · « **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2006, 08:59:00 AM »

Ben,
I like that idea of fret lites for a headless bass. The tiny Steinberg/Hohner's are 34 inch scale and make a nice close-quarters alternative to a full size Essence5 bass. I have a Hohner B2A-V (the five string version) that I use for sitting on the couch and watching TV with no sound. I actually find most shows to be more interesting if I cant hear what they are saying. After playing bass for almost 40 years the habit of using the headstock to unconciously gauge hand to neck coordination is pretty well burned into my synapses. Yet;I havent had fret-fx on my Alembic Essence long...but already Ive noticed that I dont look at the neck nearly as much as I used to. The LEDs have quickly made me able to use Periphial vision to coordinate my hand on the neck. I can see where lites on a headless bass would really help because currently I have to look at the neck on the Hohner much more often as there is no headstock.

0vid · « **Reply #10 on:** January 08, 2006, 01:04:55 PM »

Quote:
I'm wondering whether they could make a set for my old Hohner B2A headless wonder, and have the wire run down to a battery pack near where the leg rest swings out?
________________
Roz made me one like that for a Headless Bass I made with Alembic AXYs. He also made me one for a bass I made with a Parker fly headstock (with one Alembic J Activator) You can see these basses on the leftybass.com webpage.

He was helpful to begin with but I got the feeling he was a little touchy about supplying too many custom options. But he was helpful initially but I am not sure if he will still offer custom options.

flaxattack · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2006, 04:44:47 PM »

roz is almost ready to introduce hotdots for upright basses. will work great on my ns design 5 string

keurosix · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2006, 08:30:03 PM »

I put the strip on my Dean Edge 6 String fretless bass, and they look great. Sure beats paying close to $2K for permanent install and refinish job. Note of caution: I cleaned the fingerboard and oiled it the night before the install and I feel that I should have waited longer for the oil to fully dry. When installing the strip, it seems that a few spots just next to the LED did not adhere perfectly, resulting in a diffusion of the light. This looks nothing like the perfect permanently installed LED strip Alembic puts in. With the LED shining through a small hole in the wood strip you get a very sharp distinct point of light. With the FretEx strip, ir almost looks like fiber optics. Buy hey, $69.95 for a 2 position hi-low switch? Can't go wrong on a $500.00 Dean bass! I would also consider this for my better basses at this minor investment - major slick factor!
Kris

jack · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2006, 08:47:46 AM »

Here's the runway on the Epic. At my last gig, the first with 'em on, someone said they knew I played Alembic 'cause I had LEDs. Little did they know it was a 60 dollar aftermarket self-install.

Anyway I think they're excellent. Good customer service. I fully agree with Smokin Dave's comment: Even though a few people I work with thinks it's kinda cheesy,the LED's really help me out on dark stages.Besides,I did it for myself and not anybody else so screw 'em.

(Message edited by davehouck on January 25, 2006)

smokin_dave · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2006, 02:38:49 PM »