Lighted fretboard

Everett Cox · Post by **Everett Cox** » 27 Jun 2003 1:35 am

A while back, Barb Hennerman requested help and ideas about a lighted fretboard. Among the various suggestions, I proposed using Electroluminescent (EL) Wire to create the fret layout.

I've done a prototype and thought there might be some interest in photos. Please excuse the cumbersome website but it's all I have available right now.

I'll be sending the prototype off to Barb soon and will post more details later. Here's the URL link: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4128561&a=30745511&pw=

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 27 Jun 2003 3:56 am

Way Cool, Ev..
You're sure onto something here.

I like it.

Chipper

Deana Clark · Post by **Deana Clark** » 27 Jun 2003 4:01 am

Everett, I think it looks awesome. Really good idea!

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 27 Jun 2003 5:21 am

I agree.....

Tony LaCroix · Post by **Tony LaCroix** » 27 Jun 2003 5:45 am

Yes! How about adding glowing neon (purple or blue) on the underside of the guitar, like some folks do with thier lowriders?

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 27 Jun 2003 6:37 am

Everett- Great Idea. This is what we needed 50 years ago. I don't remember how many times in dark Night clubs and dim restaurants that I could have used something like this.Looks Good..Thanks...best to you...al

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 27 Jun 2003 6:39 am

Everett, t thoroughly enjoyed the pics and the idea
Foto 4th from left is tops http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4128561&a=30745511&p=63923481&f=0
it's Modern Art !
& it's right here on the Fo'.......rum

------------------
Steel what?

John Cox · Post by **John Cox** » 27 Jun 2003 7:27 am

I lighted the under side of my steel this past week and found the heat expanded the cabinet so I settled for a pair of fuzzy dice. I put the lights under my stool instead.

J.C.

Bill Fall · Post by **Bill Fall** » 27 Jun 2003 8:07 am

Cool idea! Any way to also include some kind of lighted fret indicators, for such standard frets as the 5th, 12th, etc.? Otherwise, you can still get lost playing on dark or poorly lit stages.[This message was edited by Bill Fall on 27 June 2003 at 09:08 AM.]

Tony LaCroix · Post by **Tony LaCroix** » 27 Jun 2003 8:48 am

Hey, what if you just shine a black light (UV) on the fretboard? You could use blacklight tape or paint for the fret markers. Or, If they're white, they might just glow. Ooo, ooo! Then you could get glowing finger picks, too!

Maybe I'll try it...

Ken Latchum · Post by **Ken Latchum** » 27 Jun 2003 9:22 am

Well Folks:
The lighted fret board is already been in use for years. A Super fellow/friend by the name of Joe Turner implanted colored micro lights for his fret locations and it is very impressive. Joe plays his 12 string push/pull marlen guitar at most of our MASGA Jams and he always sounds awsome. Joe did the lighting work himself. If someone is interested in talking to him you can make contact with me and I will see that he gets intouch with you. Joe does not have e-mail yet.

Regards
Ken Latchum
President MASGA [This message was edited by Ken Latchum on 27 June 2003 at 10:24 AM.]

Everett Cox · Post by **Everett Cox** » 27 Jun 2003 1:53 pm

Thanks --All, for the appreciative comments about this fretboard concept.

Chip-- plumbing expert AND a pedal steel player??? Bet you tune the flush handle to 440 open and get it to raise/lower 2 full tones.

Deanna-- seeing your name always brings a smile of pleasure. You and the rest of the Ohio Op'ry performers are the true essence of 'our kind' of music. Whenever we manage to get down to see the show, Mom and I leave filled with the simple enjoyment of living. You probably have no idea how much GOOD you do for some of us old folk. Thanks.

Al-- yes, for logistical reasons, I suppose, it seeme the steel player is always off in a dim corner of the stage. I wish I could have heard you 40-50 years ago -- or tomorrow -- as many of the 'old standards' you play are among my favorites.

CrowBear-- once, again, you show what a perceptive and artistic person you are.

Bill--yes, I quite agree that there should also be some enhancement to fret markers. Perhaps LED's will do the job but I don't have any just yet. Wanting to keep this thing battery powered, LED's might prove to be too much drain. UV or other lamps would be a nuisance and, again, might require a connection to the standard AC line. Keeping this a very simple, no hassle, thing to operate is one of my goals. Still thinking.

Tony & John--you might look into 'Cold Cathodes' if you want under carriage lighting.

Ken--there is absolutely no wish to preempt Joe Turner or anyone else who might supply a commercial solution to the problem Barb Hennerman described. I believe you, or someone, had suggested in her earlier thread that Barb contact Joe. The GemLight (fretboard), which used to be available, had also been mentioned. I have one of them but did not think it would solve Barb's problem. In my humble endeavors, I try hard NOT to take business from those trying to earn a living.
*************************************

Everyone-- keep the comments and suggestions coming. They help. --Everett

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 27 Jun 2003 2:06 pm

Real nice job of following thru, Everett. It's one thing to kick an idea around, quite another to execute it. Can the light output of these guys be reduced? I'm just not quite flamboyant enough to set behind that job of yours.

Everett Cox · Post by **Everett Cox** » 27 Jun 2003 7:55 pm

Jon--Thanks for the comment. Yes, the light output *can* be adjusted -- to some degree. The construction of the EL wire creates an AC field around a phosphor coated core wire. That field excites the phosphor and produces the light. There is a threshold below which it won't light and above which the wire would be damaged.

That AC field may be at a potential of about 100 volts to around 400 volts and at a frequency of a few hundred to a few thousand cycles. Varying the AC voltage and/or frequency will affect the light output.

The excitation field may be generated by several means but most of the commercial units do not provide much adjustment control.

You might be surprised, however, that you don't need to lower the light level. While quite distinct, the glow is pleasantly soft and not at all garish. --Everett

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 28 Jun 2003 1:36 pm

David Parker in San Antonio, Tx. has been playing a luminated fret board for probably 30 years and custom builds them on request as well as othe steel metal parts. Some of you may have seen my white single neck non-pedal I use for autographs. I have had it at Dallas and St Louis Steel Shows. It has one of Davids illuminated fret boards on it. The illumination is variable and very pretty.
I hope to have it at the St Louis show this year to get a few more autographs. I've got some great ones so far.
I'm Getting ready to rebuild a Pro I D10 and it will feature illuminated fret boards and David Parker's complete under carriage. David ingraves the fret boards from the underside on a C&C machine. He even engraved my name in the fret board. He has made illuminated fret boards for metal and wood necks.

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 30 Jun 2003 9:24 am

Ok here's the pics of David Parkers Lighted Fretboards the Roger is Talking about.
Roger; you can fill them in on these beauties.

Ricky

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 30 Jun 2003 5:53 pm

WOW! That's also some great innovation.

This is the REAL way to play steel in dim-lit corners. I like the possibility that
with the ILLUMINATED FRETBOARD you can now play in absolute darkness.

What would it bring you back to? Sitting there in the dark, except for this cosmic fretboard beaming up at you. Is this what "The Trip" was all about that Morrison
was trying to get across. I think so.

Playing in the dark with these spaceman illuminators has got to have a REAL different
effect on your whole approach, attitude, and creative juices - I can't wait.

Playing in the night and playing in the day, I feel, are as different as night and day.

Talk about creating a beautiful mood.

I like illuminated fretboards.

Chipps

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 1 Jul 2003 6:46 am

It was hard to get a good picture with my digital camera because of the flash from the camera. The light gives off a pretty uniform amber or gold looking glow and can be varied from almost nothing to too bright.It really is fun to play it in total darkness. A nice touch would have been to use gold and brass instead of chrome keys and aluminum to go with the amber lights. In the daylight with the lights off, it looks like a normal black and white fretboard. I guess if we all could play like BE we wouldn't need fret markers. My Sho-Bud will have the standard Sho-Bud markings.

Roger Edgington · Post by **Roger Edgington** » 1 Jul 2003 7:06 am

Everett, where is Marengo? I was born and raised in Columbus,Oh and played PSG around the area in the early 60s and 70s.

Everett Cox · Post by **Everett Cox** » 1 Jul 2003 11:06 am

Roger-- Marengo is between 30 and 40 miles due North, depending on the reference point in Columbus. I, too, mostly grew up in Columbus but got tired of moving out to the 'country' only to have city spraw follow.

I accidently found the little town of Marengo, bought a dozen acres, and built the home about 30 years ago. We enjoy the quiet and freedom and, especially, the critters.

Dave's fretboards look VERY nice. On my prototype I've not yet come up with a good way to light fret markers. Probably LED;s will be the best option.

Thanks for your contribution. --Everett

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 1 Jul 2003 8:07 pm

Everett
I wouldnt mind seeing one of those. Looks good to me.

Nice job my friend.Your talent goes beyond your guitar building and computers. And you
play good steel guitar too

Be well and my best to your mom and Mrs.

Barbara Hennerman · Post by **Barbara Hennerman** » 8 Jul 2003 1:56 pm

EVERETT SENT ME THE PROTOTYPE. IT WORKS REALLY GREAT. IF ANY OF YOU GUYS HAVE TROUBLE SEEING, THIS IS DEFINITELY THE WAY TO GO.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HELPED OR TRIED TO HELP ME. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
ESPECIALLY YOU EVERETT.

BARBARA

Rob Parker · Post by **Rob Parker** » 8 Jul 2003 7:19 pm

The lighted fret boards are very functional,and very helpful ,but are not new.A friend of mine and steel player,name of George Morgan,used to produce the lighted fret boards,called "Gem Lights". I did the layout,and took the photographs he used in the ads and brochures and magazines to advertise them.
He sold them for many years...George is gone now,and I have no idea what happened to his business.
Mr Cox ,your work is really neat...Hope you have success with it...

RP...'come on in'...[This message was edited by ROB PARKER on 08 July 2003 at 08:24 PM.]