| Author | Message | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4840 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have some FretFX markers on one of my basses and want add LED's to a couple of mu guitars, but have recently noticed this other company making them at a very competitive price in comparison and wondered if anyone here has tried them? I'm thinking of getting some for my Orion guitar and alembic powered strat. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-Guitar-Scale-Fiber-Optic-LED-Fret-Marker-Lights-25-5-24-frets-scale-/281892701870?hash=item41a21d46ae:g:ICYAAOSwa39U0mSc | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 6308 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jazzy: These are quite different from the FretFX markers. The FretFX are actual, individual LEDs. The Fretoptix is a single LED that mounts behind the headstock and has a fiber-optic line running down the side of the guitar. If you go to their website and look CLOSELY, (very closely, they appear to be trying to hide this part of their product), you will see that these require a fiber optic line running from behind the headstock to the front in a big loop (likely in the way of the tuners) and then runs down the side. I would suspect the side markers are not as big or bright as the actual LEDS. Also, these won't work on a Strat which doesn't have 24 frets. As is almost always the case, you get what you pay for. Hope you have a healthy, happy, and musical New Year. Bill, tgo | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 2167 Registered: 5-2002 |
I tried the FretOptix (although they were sold to me as FretFX). They were terrible and fell apart when I was trying to apply them. Since they were purchased cheaply through ebay, I had no recourse. Hopefully FretFX are more robust. I tried the Luminlay inserts, too. Not really bright enough long enough to be considered competitive. If and when I try to get my fingerboard properly illuminated, I'm going to do it right. A local luthier offered to install them on my Starfire, but I think I'd want it done in Santa Rosa, if at all. I really like the current fingerboard. (Message edited by edwin on December 28, 2015) | ||
| dtothec
Member Username: dtothec Post Number: 83 Registered: 3-2015 |
I have fretfx on one of my Rogues and they are great, I have had no problem with them. They are bright and the battery last a long time. As far as I know you can get them for almost any guitar because you specify what you are installing them on and they make them individually. My other Rogue has factory LED's and the fretfx actually are a little brighter. I would definately purchase another set if I bought another bass without LED's. I would say it is money well spent! | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 2169 Registered: 5-2002 |
Good to know! Of course, time was when I played enough that I never had to look at the neck anyway.... | ||
| flpete1uw
Senior Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 597 Registered: 11-2011 |
Jazzy, I have the Fretfx on both my 30" and 32" scale Alembics. As stated you let them know the measurements they do the rest. All info on their website. No problems here as well. Good luck! Pete | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4683 Registered: 5-2009 |
Ultimately , not to look at the neck and the development of muscle memory can be extremely satisfying. If we are reading music it is essential to pay attention to the sheet music . " Keep your eyes on the road and your hands up on the wheel "  . ! Wolf | ||
| dtothec
Member Username: dtothec Post Number: 85 Registered: 3-2015 |
Try driving your car on a dark road with no lights, you can keep your eyes on the road but you still can't see squat. Lol! I've had to play on dark stages and I'll take the lights. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4685 Registered: 5-2009 |
A good exercise to build muscle memory is to play an unlined fretless with your eyes closed, however your ears must be wide opened ! . Wolf | ||
| dtothec
Member Username: dtothec Post Number: 86 Registered: 3-2015 |
Agreed! It will also train your ears. ;-) | ||
| rv_bass
New Username: rv_bass Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2014 |
I corresponded with FretFX a few months ago. Apparently they are going to try to mass market specific scale lengths and short scale will no longer be offered. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1768 Registered: 2-2011 |
I used to think there LED's were just bling for Stanley until I got my SCSD with LED's & now I see how functional they are & can't live without them! So I put Fret FX LED's on my Shecter & love them! Not nearly as good as Alembic LED's but much better than non illuminated markers. | ||
| flpete1uw
Senior Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 598 Registered: 11-2011 |
Rob, That could explain why it took over a month to get my 30" short scale LED's from Fretfx a few weeks ago. They also removed the E-Bay listing. When I started to inquire why it was taking so long on my "paid for" product they said they were overwhelmed (feasible, it was Christmas time) and they had to reset the que to get my order in. Maybe I got in just in time. I do like the product, I hope what your saying doesn't happen. As Rusty stated they do come in handy. Pete | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4841 Registered: 6-2002 |
rv_bass. I had a similar conversation with them on eBay recently and they confirmed what you said. I was about to bid on some but wanted the 30.75 scale length. The reply was, at the moment they can still make the custom scale length items but once they start to mass produce they cannot do that and in addition you will have to waive the warrantee before they will make one for you. | ||
| murray
Advanced Member Username: murray Post Number: 237 Registered: 7-2007 |
I had my Orion retro-fitted with side LEDs from Martin Sims :- www.simscustom.com Superb job - not cheap but a proper job. Glynn | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 2456 Registered: 11-2004 |
Murray, I had front face ones done 5 years ago, I agree not cheap but the workmanship is outstanding as you think it had been done at the build. Mine is on the gallery, Gallery 1, fourth line down fourth one in far right. | ||
| fmm
Senior Member Username: fmm Post Number: 451 Registered: 6-2002 |
I installed FretFX on a student's bass. They warn you about not lifting the bass by the neck after installation. This is a real issue, by student broke his array by lifting his bass by the neck. Because my Series I has "short horns", this has kept me from purchasing a set of FretFX LEDs. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1769 Registered: 2-2011 |
I've had my Fret FX LED's on my Schecter for over 2 years & always pick it up by the neck & have never had any problems. I could see it maybe having problems if you grab it down by the nut where the wires come off the neck, but I pick mine up around the middle of the neck with no issues. | ||
| dtothec
Member Username: dtothec Post Number: 91 Registered: 3-2015 |
I pick mine up by the neck all the time as well and I've never had a problem. |
