Visible fret markers

[fretlessman71]

I play in a dark environment.

I have a hard time seeing my fretmarkers, and I do need them.

I can't afford major surgery on my A-bass, nor do I want to part with it for a long period of time.

I have glow-in-the-dark stickers on there, designed for guitars, but they don't glow well enough to be of much use to me.

Only reason they're still on the bass is because they're bigger than the old dots and that at least helps a little bit.

Other than practicing more (because I can already hear the keys clicking as you're typing that), does anyone have any practical suggestions that are simple and inexpensive? Thanks!

[fretlessman71]

I've often thought that if someone could come up with colored dots that were UV-friendly (like they'd go CRAZY in a black light), how cool would it be to have them in rolls of cellophane tape already spaced out to fit a 34" scale bass? Just unroll, stick on the side, and you're ready to rock...

[hentor]

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

I play in a dark environment.

I have a hard time seeing my fretmarkers, and I do need them.

I can't afford major surgery on my A-bass, nor do I want to part with it for a long period of time.

I have glow-in-the-dark stickers on there, designed for guitars, but they don't glow well enough to be of much use to me.

Only reason they're still on the bass is because they're bigger than the old dots and that at least helps a little bit.

Other than practicing more (because I can already hear the keys clicking as you're typing that), does anyone have any practical suggestions that are simple and inexpensive? Thanks!

I took a page from Danny Gatton's book and had cubic zirconia crystals installed as fret markers on my main guitars. They reflect and refract enough light to show up in even the dimmest environments...and, unlike UV "glow in the dark" material, do not require "recharging" every so often.

[Dogbertday]

I'm just going to start by mentioning your name and the topic of fret markers.

now that I'm done with that... try just small gift shops (walgreens even maybe) or an office supply store, or a toy store, for glow in the dark stickers.

[SC Bassboy]

I use reflective tape on my basses. Just cut little strips and apply them to the side of your fretboard over the small dot markers. They reflect any kind of ambiant light, so unless you are playing in a tomb you should be able to see them.

Also, there is a company that makes LED fret markers that just stick on the side of your fretboard. Here's the link.
www.fretfx.com

[wideload]

fretfx.com. Cheap, a life saver on a dark stage, addictive.

[fretlessman71]

Originally Posted by Dogbertday

I'm just going to start by mentioning your name and the topic of fret markers.

Yeah, it's a little confusing... but let's face it; how many of us have house gigs where we play fretless all night long? So I save my passion for my songs and the studio and the occasional side gig, but bring my fretted 5 to the house gig.

I suppose I could have "anti-fret" markers put on my fretless basses!....

[fretlessman71]

Originally Posted by wideload

fretfx.com. Cheap, a life saver on a dark stage, addictive.

I LIKE this. Might just be what I had in mind - thanks!

[NorCal Dog]

i always make a larger white dot with bright white acrylic paint, have done it with all my basses, they stay put,, easily seen on dark stages, yet easily pop off just using your thumbnail, even on unfinished necks.

[fretlessman71]

I'd have to have it done by someone else. My hands shake doing stuff like that. But I like where you're going with that.

[fretlessman71]

Originally Posted by SC Bassboy

I use reflective tape on my basses. Just cut little strips and apply them to the side of your fretboard over the small dot markers. They reflect any kind of ambiant light, so unless you are playing in a tomb you should be able to see them.

Also, there is a company that makes LED fret markers that just stick on the side of your fretboard. Here's the link.
www.fretfx.com

Originally Posted by wideload

fretfx.com. Cheap, a life saver on a dark stage, addictive.

Many thanks to both of you. I got blue LEDs on my Jazz V, and I can play in total darkness and look REALLY cool doing it now!

Will post pics when I finally find my camera again. Haven't seen it in months...

[fretlessman71]

Still haven't found my camera, but it's installed and working WONDERFULLY. It's actually TOO bright, even on the low setting. The settings oughta be called "Bright" and "Really Freakin' Bright". So I've taken a bottle of Wite Out and placed a small dot over the LEDs. It doesn't COVER them; it just mutes the light a tiny bit so I don't have a blue glow about me when I'm playing a dark (but not black) environment.

Fret FX = well worth the $80, even if it WAS a pain to install. Thanks guys!

[Randy S]

I hand painted with white nail polish, little white squares on the edge of the neck, where each fret once was. They are visible only to the player. I like to have a quick landmark when I need one.

Works for me, and I can always scrape 'em off if I feel like it.

I made white stick on dots once, from some label printer tape.