Blinded by the.... lack of light?

[geoff_in_nc]

Hopefully this is the right forum for this.... Ok just to get this out of the way... I'm an admittedly decent but not great bass player. I know my fretboard ok, but have to look to make sure I'm in the right place a lot of the time. I also don't have a ton of experience playing out yet.

Last night we played a little bar that had its own lights. Lights ALL come from the front of the stage. Absolutely nothing from sides or rear. I've stationed myself back a ways on the stage, and I was playing a maple neck/fretboard bass with little black dots for position markers. Probably 75% of the time I couldn't see my fret markers at all. While I did decently with it, I think I did hit a few bum notes, mainly when going higher up the neck. It really made it tiring and more stressful because I couldn't glance down and make sure I was in the right place.

I joked about it being my problem with the guy running lights after the 1st set. He said he understood and would try to keep the lights up slightly brighter, but was stuck in that the lights were placed where they were.

I know the real solution is "practice until you don't have to look at all", but until I get to that point.... Do you all get this happening? And what do you do about it? I half thought about glow-in-the-dark stickers at the fret markers... LOL

[peterkidd]

These:

https://fretfx.com/

I think I've installed 5 sets, so far.

Easy.

[pklima]

I'll sometimes ask the venue for more light if I we're going to shoot some video or am doing a gig where somebody needs to see lyric sheets or charts. There's no shame.

Well, I've played at a gig lit by nothing but candles where the singers blew them all out at the end of the last song, but other than special cases like that, there's no shame in asking for more light if you need it.

[Souperman08]

Can't say I've used one, but this seems like an easy solution

FretLightZ Fretboard Illuminator LED Light: Shop Accessories & Other Musical Instruments | Musicians Friend

[DougD]

Originally Posted by peterkidd

These:

https://fretfx.com/

I think I've installed 5 sets, so far.

Easy.

This looks promising. I have the same issue as the OP sometimes.

[Stilettoprefer]

I saw a build thread a while back where someone was putting fiber optics in his bass neck and leaving the side fret markers as holes and let the light shine through them. Looked pretty sweet.

[geoff_in_nc]

Originally Posted by Souperman08

Can't say I've used one, but this seems like an easy solution

FretLightZ Fretboard Illuminator LED Light: Shop Accessories & Other Musical Instruments | Musicians Friend

The problem with this is that my fretboard was actually well lit last night with the lights coming from the front. I never really realized it but I don't hardly see my fretboard at all when I play... I look at my side markers... I would have guessed just the opposite a couple days ago. So I dont' think this will buy me anything.

Peterkidd's idea for the fretfx sounds interesting. I may have to look into that some more.

[DougD]

This is why I like abalone blocks. They catch what little light there is so at least you can see something.

[hrodbert696]

You can also shift your body angle when performing as needed. Just turn to the side to interact with the guitarist or drummer from time to time, and check your fretting hand position quick while doing so. That should allow you to get the light on your fret markers. Probably don't want to spend the whole performance with your back to the audience, but an occasional turn couldn't hurt.

[Vanceman]

I use a Sharpie on the sde of the neck at the fret markers. The dark lines contrast nicely against the light maple, easy to see, cost very little.

[southgabass]

I don't really have this issue but the FretlightZ I think would be kinda cool to use at least for a gig or 2 before I got tired of the light, or knocked it off and accidently stepped on it

[Sizlack]

you must have played the same club as I did last friday.