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Topic: Lit fretboard idea |
Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Posted 28 May 2007 5:48 pm |
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In the WTB forum, Bob Hempker's search for an old GEM light lighted fretboard got me to thinking. Perhaps one of you 'lectric wizards can help with this.
The GEM light product was useful in pitch black situations, but it had an inherent problem. The plexiglass material was so thick that it brought the surface of the fretboard close enough to the strings to actually hurt the overall tone of the instrument. (Yes, part of the tone is provided by the amount of air space that the strings in their relative plane have. If you don't believe me, try laying a slab of some kind under your strings and listen to what happens.)
I'll bet someone that works with fiber optics could come up with a paper thin screen that would have no affect on the overall sound while lighting up the fretboard as well as anyone could want. This is a bit of a money maker, I think, for someone who has the electrical science background to pull it off.
For giving you the seed of an idea, I'll share a measley 15% of the profits for myself, leaving you a whopping 85%.
And I'm saving this thread as proof.  
_________________
Mikey D... H.S.P.
Music hath the charm to soothe a savage beast, but I'd try a 10mm first.
http://www.steelharp.com
http://www.thesessionplayers.com/douchette.html
(other things you can ask about here)
http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o54/Steelharp/ |
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A. J. Schobert
From:
Cincinnati, Ohio,
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Posted 28 May 2007 8:06 pm
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| MD: I ran a thread awhile ago about what would your dream steel be? I thought the best idea and most guys seem to agree is a lighted fretboard. We can't use our sense of "touch" like a guitarist, we relay on our eyes. I think it would be easy to make, I would think something with replacement batteries. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 28 May 2007 8:53 pm
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| Hey Michael, I've noticed I can see my fretboard a lot better if I put aside my vanity and wear my reading glasses while I play gigs-- something I have avoided until recently ha !! |
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David Mason
From:
Cambridge, MD, USA
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Posted 29 May 2007 2:47 am
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| I had a friend who used to make etched-plexiglass art pieces. The chunks of plexiglass were lit from the bottom and the etchings on the surface stood out, quite dramatically. I remember that everything had to be polished well for it to work best. It seems as though it would be fairly simple to etch fret lines on a sheet and light it with LED's from the edges. Of course stage lights could drown it out, so you'd need a normal fretboard underneath for lit situations - the plexiglass surface above might then have sort of a ghost-line appearance. |
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Bob Cox
From:
Buckeye State
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Posted 29 May 2007 4:52 am frett board
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| Hey Mike ,how about useing a pair of night vision goggles and put a beer goggles sticker on them. |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 29 May 2007 5:02 am
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| Hey Mike, I get an measley 2% for agreeing, right? |
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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 29 May 2007 7:46 am
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And I want 2% for playing the devils advocate and thinking up reasons why it won't work.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike |
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Steve English
From:
Baja, Arizona
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Posted 29 May 2007 9:57 am
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This should open up some possibilities in the near future:
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20070527/D8PD0F7G0.html
Maybe someday someone will market a steel guitar video course with this screen laying on top of the fretboard.
_________________
Always remember you're unique..... Just like everyone else |
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Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 1 Jun 2007 5:45 pm
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Steve, that article you posted is slightly behind the times. A company in Massachusetts (whose name escapes me right now) developed a thin, flexible screen display 5 or 6 years ago. I read about it in an electronics journal that said that the ability to make a computer (with display) no thicker or larger than a sheet of construction paper already existed. The problem was the price and finding a power source with the same size and weight. 
As to the hard-to-see frets, I don't know why someone doesn't simply use an E-L (electro-luminescent) panel for fretboards. They're thin, consume little power, and create no heat. In addition, they last an awful long time. You see these panels in those little, flat, nite-lites you plug into the wall, and in the Timex "Indiglo" watches. Actually, I've wondered why manufacturers don't jewel-cut their frets. Diamond-cut jewelry stands out, even in the moonlight (which isn't very bright). I've even wished that the frets on my new MSA were "crowned" (rounded tops), so they would stand out more when I'm playing in a place with a black ceiling (black ceilings seem very popular in night clubs around here). The MSA frets are chromed, and flat, and they will "disappear" under the right conditions, even when there is some ambient light. 
Maybe Reece, Kyle , or Jerry will take note! |
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Per Berner
From:
Skovde, Sweden
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Posted 2 Jun 2007 3:33 am
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| Why not install LEDs as position markers? I intend to try this on the one I'm (slowly) building. Mix yellow, green, red, blue... |
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Ken Byng
From:
Southampton, England
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Posted 2 Jun 2007 10:12 am
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| About 30 years back in the UK a PSG maker called Jerry Evenden made his fretboards with luminous painted fret strips. Even in low ambient light the frets were still clearly visible. Its a cheaper option to lighted fretboards. |
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Randy Sevearance
From:
Crouse, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2007 12:42 pm lighted fret positions
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too late guys a fantastic steel player in star sc has had his positions lite for years I asked him y he did this his answer was have you ever played in a dark bar room hes a super guy and 2nd to none player
Joe Turner plays a 12 string marlen with killer tone !   |
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Ernest Cawby
From:
Lake City, Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 4 Jun 2007 6:26 pm Lighted Fretboards
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Joe Turner has the on his 12 string Martin,(I think Martin) he drilled holes in the fret boards and used what looks like leds, on certain frets looks good, I hope I explained this right, I think it is close.
ernie |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 4 Jun 2007 6:43 pm
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| George Boards have provisions to light the fretboard. |
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Bruce Etter
From:
Columbus, Georgia
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Posted 4 Jun 2007 7:44 pm
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Here is a picture of Joe Turner and his Marlen that Ernest mentioned. If you look REAL close you can see the LED's he has mounted in the fretboard.
By the way, Joe is a fantastic player and great guy.
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Gregg Thacker
From:
Pasadena, Texas, USA
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Posted 4 Jun 2007 7:52 pm
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Hey Micheal...Hopefully the guy that makes the "georgeboard" lap Steels is a forumite and could shed some light on this subject. It sure would be a BIG help when plaing in a dark invirenment (sp). I'll bet Ricky Davis may be able to add to this thread and give us some ideas.
Gregg
_________________
If it don't have a Steel, it ain't real! |
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Keith Cordell
From:
San Diego
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Posted 5 Jun 2007 5:37 am
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| George had lighted fretboards on his earlier guitars, made of plexiglass. I thought it was a good idea, but if the board gets scratchy at all the scratches really stand out. The luminescent screen idea is certainly worth investigating, probably kind of expensive but maybe worthwhile! |
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Michael Brebes
From:
Northridge CA
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Posted 5 Jun 2007 8:23 am
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The electroluminescent panel seems like a good idea until you start looking at the cost involved. The panel needed for fretboard replacement would cost $150-300 per unit. That's not counting silkscreening of the markers on it, as well as the power hookup and/or converter. Without even adding labor, add up material costs and then double it for a retail price. How many are willing to spend $600+ for lit fretboard? Plexiglass/lexan with superbright LEDs is the only cost effective way to go, from a manufacturing standpoint.
_________________
Michael Brebes
Instrument/amp/ pickup repair
MSA D10 Classic/Rickenbacher B6/
Dickerson MOTS/Dobro D32 Hawaiian/
Goldtone Paul Beard Reso
Mesa Boogie Studio Pre/Hafler 3000
RP1/MPX100 |
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 6 Jun 2007 3:39 pm edit
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edit
Last edited by George Piburn on 19 Jun 2012 6:12 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Mike Wheeler
From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
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Posted 6 Jun 2007 5:29 pm
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How about thin slots machined into a neck where the frets would be. Then from underneath, mount lucite strips that would fill in the slot and be flush with the top of the neck. LEDs would be mounted underneath to illuminate the lucite. If multi-colored LEDS were used, we could dial up various colors to fit the mood, or lighting conditions. A clear sheet, like the current fretboards, could be overlayed with the company's fret markers on it. A standard wall wart power supply could be plugged into the guitar like an effect pedal uses.
Costs??? No clue! But I like the idea.
_________________
Best regards,
Mike |
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 7 Jun 2007 5:39 am Conclusions------
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If the players goal is to simply see their instrument in the dark then a Clamp-on light bulb from your local home center and a microphone stand is the ticket.
If your goal is to have a product that universally fits every steel guitar, good luck but most likely no cigar.
If you have a lot of time/money and are just looking to have a table at all of the jamborees, lighted fret boards could be a really nice way to find a nitch in the world of steel guitars.
GeorgeBoards |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 7 Jun 2007 6:39 am
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I have an Orpheum lapsteel from the late 40s/early 50's. The base is wood, but everything else is Lucite or Plexi, or some other kinda plastic. There are two small incandescent light bulbs under the top, and a seperate jack to plug in an AC cord. The fingerboard is clear plastic, painted black on the back, with the fret lines and markers either clear (frets) or colored (Fret markers).
Works great, but it kinda makes me uneasy pluggin' the guitar into a wall outlet. |
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