Author Topic: Led problem #78-1020 (Read 152 times)

muller1007 · « **on:** April 05, 2007, 01:04:28 PM »

I have originally fitted red side leds with a dimmer control on my Series 1.

While I was playing, my side leds suddenly quit. I plugged out and in again, but I didn't get them to work. I opened the control cavity and measured the current flow between the 5-pin connector and the led dimmer, but that seemed to be fine. The led wire underneath the neck pu and the truss-rod cover also seemed unharmed. That's about all I've checked so far.

What else could cause the leds not to work? I mean, they have been working for almost 30 years. Why quit now?

Mica, can you help me out?

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2007, 01:25:57 PM »

A failure under the fingerboard. You might try tapping the back of the neck, or pushing against the back of the neck while bracing the body to see if contact can be resumed, even if only temporary.

Has the bass been refretted to your knowledge? Are you certain the LEDs are factory installed? A dimmer or brightness control would be very unusual 30 years ago, this is why I ask. 30 years ago, the LEDs would be deep down in little wells that should have lots of dirt in them by now. Is this how yours appear?

muller1007 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2007, 01:44:21 PM »

Thanks for your reply.

According to your files my bass was originally fitted with leds and a dimmer control. You mentioned that when I requested the building record of my bass.

The leds are indeed in little wells as you describe, and some have quite some dirt in them.
I'm not sure if my bass has been refretted, but I think it has been.

I'll try the tapping and pushing on the neck.

Duncan

mica · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2007, 02:04:22 PM »

On the instruments where the LEDs were installed after fretting in an inlaid LED strip (like the old ones), the wires are much closer to the fret tangs than they are now. Refretting can break a connection, or damage it enough that later it will fail.

The new style of LED installation is more forgiving to refretting.

muller1007 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2007, 02:21:34 PM »

Would the leds be fixable?

mica · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2007, 02:52:25 PM »

The original LEDs that in your neck haven't been manufactured for over twenty years. We've exhausted the supply we had. We would have repaired by routing out the old LED strip, and replacing it.

Now we would replace the fingerboard and install the new style of LEDs.

You might try contacting Sims in England. They do LED installs and the price and freight may be much less expensive. I haven't seen their work first hand, but many other Club members have had them do work, and I've fielded no complaints.

muller1007 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2007, 09:12:17 PM »

Funny you suggested Sims. I was just checking out their website...

Thanks Mica.