Can't see side fret dots on Epic

[tlev]

Hi all,
 
I've been having a great time bringing an 8 year old Epic back into service thanks to all the great tips on this forum, but I am unable to restore the side marker dots to where I can see them.  After copious polishing they only come up to a kind of tan color... only a bit lighter than the ebony and way difficult to see.  Is there anything I can do to make them stand out a bit more?
 
Thanks!

[lbpesq]

White out?
 
Bill, tgo

[mica]

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!

[tlev]

Heh Heh.... White Out. (That was actually the first thing that came to my mind too just before I slapped myself!)
 
Ah, light sandpaper.... I'll pick some up tomorrow.  Thanks for the tip.  Now that you mention it, they do have that Bronze look to them. You all ROCK!

[willride3]

I tried polishing. OK, White Out, better, But finally a FretFX unit on the side of the fretboard. In a darker environment,even when polished, the Bronze was hard to see for me. The White out wears off fairly easily.  The FretFX, although after getting used to the feel of the thin lighted strip on the neck, was quite a help in darker areas. About 80 dollars, it was worth it I guess.

[ojo]

How do you like the FretFX? I've been seriously thinking of installing a set on my fretless bass, but have been hesitant. Been reading they redesigned them and there's no dimmer.  
 
Getting back to the dot question. I tried some Brasso on the dots on my Epic. It helped, but it dulled the wood and I was concerned that would hurt it. Should I worry?

[bassilisk]

Here's the easiest fix I've found. I go to staples and get these:
http://www.officesupplieslane.com/ave05796.html
 
Removable 1/4 paper dots. The adhesive is very mild and any residue can easily be removed by just rubbing it out - no permanent marring to the bass.
 
I find the yellow ones are best - after positioning over the neck marker I take a black Sharpie and put a big dot right in the middle of it. It doesn't leach through and provides a high contrast refence point that is visible in very low light.  
 
Depending on how agressively you play these could last for some time, and when they do come off they're easily replaced. I've had them on my Rogue now for several weeks, and they're on numerous other basses that have that same issue. Nothing beats LED's, but I find these a very effective alternative.

[slawie]

Have you ever seen those glow in the dark stars that you put on your ceiling  
and when you turn off the lights they glow.  
Just cut to size and apply to the neck.  
The adhesive is mild  
and will not damage the finish.
Available at novelty shops.
 
slawie

[jazzyvee]

I bought some of those glow in the dark stars ages ago and put some on my Orion guitar and my strat for a while. I had them on the edge of the fretboard only. They were fine actually and as long as the ambient light is bright enough before you start playing, when it goes dark they can be very effective. But again, how long they stay on depends on how you play. They do come off depending on how your thumb moves along the top of the neck. But they are very cheap and i got hundreds in the pack.
 
jazzyvee

[mario_farufyno]

Do star's glue get sticky and dirty when they fall off?
 
(Message edited by Mario Farufyno on September 20, 2009)