Author Topic: All Lit Up! (Read 1685 times)

keurosix · « **on:** October 03, 2006, 08:02:14 PM »

Here's my Alembic duo after FretFX LED's! I am very pleased with the ease of install and finished result, not to mention the affordable cost! I removed the adhesive under the adjustabe nut so that the nut can move without destroying the LED array.

I won't be able to play without the LED's now!
Kris

57basstra · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2006, 08:29:51 AM »

Very nice, Kris!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2006, 02:19:44 PM »

I've thought of getting some of those.
The blue look cool.
JAzzyvee

keurosix · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2006, 06:09:54 PM »

Go visit www.fretfx.com for a list of compatability for the LED's. A 6 string Alembic Cone peghead will take the larger battery box for green or blue LED's. Otherwise, the red LED's have a smaller box suitable for most other peg head sizes. All-in-all it's a very easy install.
Kris

jazzyvee · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2006, 11:22:32 AM »

How does the battery box fit to the bass?
Do you think it will damage the bass if you ever have to remove it?
Jazzyvee

keurosix · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2006, 06:37:31 PM »

Jazzy,
It has a space age adhesive strip that holds real well. Same adhesive on the LED strip. This should not damage the finish on the guitar. Some adhesives break down and get sticky like duct tape, or dry out and bond into the finish like masking tape. This adhesive will do neither. Roz of FretFX says that the adhesive will not damage the guitar if removed some time later. Red LED's are powered with 2 AAA batteries, Blue and Green have 3 AAA batteries, hense the bigger box. Each box has a 3 position switch: off / low / high. High with the Blue LED's is VERY bright! Looking directly at them hurts a little. But the Wow factor is really there! Check out the pics I left in the Showcase / Europa section.
Kris.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #6 on:** October 06, 2006, 05:28:14 AM »

Kris
Would the blue/green LEDs be suitable for a Series 1 bass without causing any neck dive. I'd love a set, but DO NOT want the neck to dive as she sits great at the 2 o'clock position. Lastly, are they quite usable in the LOW setting?? Can you feel a bump on the neck when they are installed?
Regards
George

keurosix · « **Reply #7 on:** October 06, 2006, 08:09:41 AM »

George,
According to their website, the green/blue should work for a Series bass. Neck dive? I don't know if the battery box would tip the scale or not. I don't notice anything, it's pretty light, but I also use the Alembic Moody 4 strap that grabs my shoulder. I mostly use the low setting with daylight or subdued lighting. The bright setting is for very dark or stage lights only. The batteries seem to last a LONG time too. Yes you can feel a small bump on the top edge of the neck. About a 1/16 high semi-circle. Price to pay for LED's for under $80 bucks! Only gets in the way of the thumb when it rides up to the top edge of the fingerboard. Check the website for battery box dimensions. Red LED's box is 1 wide x 2 1/2 long. The green/blue box is the same length, but wider at 1 7/16. You can print a scale pic to cut out and lay on your peghead to make sure.
Kris.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #8 on:** October 07, 2006, 01:46:44 AM »

thanks Kris
I'll check it out.
G

georgie_boy · « **Reply #9 on:** October 09, 2006, 03:37:32 AM »

One other question
Can you see the position markers on the neck with the LEDs turned off??
G

fmm · « **Reply #10 on:** October 09, 2006, 05:49:28 AM »

One problem with these:
You can't pick the bass up by the neck anymore, or you may break the array. That happended to one of my students.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #11 on:** October 09, 2006, 06:52:53 AM »

Thanks!
Well worth keeping in mind as,I suppose most of us pick up an instrument by the neck from a guitar stand.
Would appreciate ALL comments on these things before I buy-(typical Scot!!)
G

keurosix · « **Reply #12 on:** October 09, 2006, 07:55:04 AM »

George, You can see the position ,markers with the LED's off, but it's a little harder with the array on top of them. It's easier to refer to the front markers if your bass has oval inlays. But with the LED's installed, you won't want them off, trust me. Roz of FretFX says not to pick up the guitar by the neck so that the array doesn't get damaged. He recommends picking up the guitar by the horn. A Series 1 has little horn to speak of, but my Europa and Epic have a great big handle of a horn to grab. It's not a big problem to use the horn, just a minor change of habit. What I can tell you, is that the array is top notch quality, and will not degrade the value of your precious instrument. One of my first concerns with my Europa ( List over $8,000 now!) If you compare the cost to Alembic adding LED's after the fact this works out to less than 10% of that cost! Remember for Alembic to do it: Shipping costs round trip; cost of LED array (Red $1100. Blue $2500?) new fingerboard, battery compartment added on back with routing, door and a respray / refinish job. Yes, that's the Deluxe answer, but with the deluxe price tag too! For $80 bucks you can install it yourself, and be up and running in about a 1/2 hour. That's pretty cool. Worth a few minor changes in habit.
Kris
Kris

keurosix · « **Reply #13 on:** October 09, 2006, 08:01:38 AM »

George, Here are some pics of the battery box installed:

For the epic with red LED's

For the Europa with Blue Led's

The blue is the bomb! Kris

2400wattman · « **Reply #14 on:** October 09, 2006, 05:20:18 PM »

ice cold man!!!