Luminlay glow-in-the-dark dots

[BLDavis]

Where has this been for the last forty years and why am I just now hearing about it?
Every new bass should come from the factory with these.
I just installed them today on my main bass. Took about 1.5 hours start to finish including removing and re-installing the neck.
I can't wait to play in some dimly lit dive bar now. No more fumbling around and hoping I start the song on the right note.

 

[Jim C]

How long do they stay "charged up"?
I was really disappointed with some EB glow in the dark picks.

 

[BLDavis]

How long do they stay "charged up"?
I was really disappointed with some EB glow in the dark picks.

I haven't timed them yet but I should be able to when it gets dark tonight. Even in my living room with windows open and bright sunshine outside, I can still tell they are glowing. They are much easier to see than the stock Fender white dots.
B.

 

[BLDavis]

How long do they stay "charged up"?
I was really disappointed with some EB glow in the dark picks.

So just to follow up; I left the bass sitting in my living room all day with nothing to charge the dots but ambient daylight through the window blinds. The dots are still very visible at 4am. I have no doubt that if charged up with an LED flashlight, as recommended by the manufacturer, they would remain more than bright enough to see through the average 2-3 hour show. I'll know more after this Saturday night.
B.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I have used glow-in-the-dark tape to mark the side of my neck before. I was playing in a very dark orchestra pit. They used the glow tape to mark spots on the stage. I helped myself.

 

[mmbongo]

Kiesel installs them on all their basses standard at the factory, love them!

A UV light is what you need to properly charge them. That's what the official Luminlay light that they sell is.

These are around half price and are what I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TTKQ7XS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[BLDavis]

Kiesel installs them on all their basses standard at the factory, love them!

A UV light is what you need to properly charge them. That's what the official Luminlay light that they sell is.

These are around half price and are what I use:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TTKQ7XS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the link. I'll give that a try and see how it does compared to the LED.
B.

 

[jd56hawk]

Where has this been for the last forty years and why am I just now hearing about it?
Every new bass should come from the factory with these.
I just installed them today on my main bass. Took about 1.5 hours start to finish including removing and re-installing the neck.
I can't wait to play in some dimly lit dive bar now. No more fumbling around and hoping I start the song on the right note.View attachment 3735300 View attachment 3735300

I like FretFX, too...a five-minute job.

 

[Rick Brienzo]

One of my Warwick's has glow dots. I didn't know I needed them. Agreed, they should be standard on everything.

 

[BLDavis]

I like FretFX, too...a five-minute job.
View attachment 3738917

Man that's BRIGHT. Are they battery powered?
B.

 

[Smith357]

I'm surprised nobody used Trituim tubes, they glow for 15 years.

 

[stingray69]

Man that's BRIGHT. Are they battery powered?
B.

CR2032 coin battery.

They are bright but not blinding - but yeah, you can play under pitch black conditions if need be.

I've found it's hard to get a good action shot of the FretFX. Most of my attempts tend to over-expose the camera in my cellphone and this makes the LED dots look really huge & bright.

The dots themselves are not much bigger than an average-sized side dot.

Here are a couple decent daylight shots:

 

[ole Jason]

I'm surprised nobody used Trituim tubes, they glow for 15 years.

Are they still available? I recall tritium becoming fairly scarce back when I was into Soviet rifles/handguns. Some guns would have a vial or tritium painted dot on the sight post. Either way the radioactive nature of the material is liable to put a lot of people off.

I've been really pleased with the luminlay dots on my Kiesel guitar. I've considered getting them on the fretboard as well just for some 'wow factor'

 

[fretno]

I like , it doesn't last all that long but it is much better than no glow at all . It's also easy to install and not too spendy .

 

[Jim C]

Drill press to remove originals?

 

[Watchootognbout]

Drill press to remove originals?

Cordless hand drill.

 

[BLDavis]

Drill press to remove originals?

I used a cordless drill with a 2.5mm bit. Go about 3mm (1/8") deep. Used an ice pick to put a small hole in the dot to keep the bit centered. Drill SLOW and let the bit do the work. On a few of them, it pulled the original plastic dot out mostly whole.
B.

 

[BLDavis]

I'm surprised nobody used Trituim tubes, they glow for 15 years.

I'm not sure if they'd be cost effective. Some of the ones used on firearm sights are $30-$40 apiece. I'm not sure how much of that is the actual glowy part, but a plain sight is only about $10. So.
Also, international and airline travel might be an issue due to the radioactive material.
But it would be way cool and probably worth it to some players. Just because.

B.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

No more fumbling around and hoping I start the song on the right note.

Do they charge in normal light, or did you use an ultraviolet light to charge them?

mine aren't that bright & are a PITA to charge, but they're not LumInlay brand:

 

[BLDavis]

They charge in normal light. I use a regular LED flashlight on stage. A charge will last a 45 min to 1 hour set with time to spare.
Sorry for the slow response.
B.