Luminlay size/style for incoming custom Sadowsky?

[Kevan Campbell]

Anyone have experience with Luminlay dots on the side of the neck?

I’ve got a Sadowsky NYC in the final stages of the build process and over the last several weeks on the road I’ve come to the realization that I’ve reached the age where these are now a necessity.

For those who have them, did you have a choice in the size and style of the inlays? My options in the photos attached, I’m trying to decide if #4 would be too large and look weird versus #3 potentially not being large and bright enough onstage.

What do y’all think?

 

[DJmtd]

They're plenty bright when they're charged up, I wouldn't sweat the size. However, I might suggest #2 because when they're not charged, they can kinda disappear under stage lights. That white ring seems like it would help a ton on a dark colored board especially.

We use black rings around ours when they're used on a maple or similarly light board for the same reason.

 

[jTrolt]

I just retrofit an MTD KZ-6 that DJ sent me a few weeks back. (freaking love it with the Bart upgrades thanks DJ!)

Went from 1.5 OEM's to 2mm Luminlay. You cannot tell it wasn't factory, as I sanded and re-sealed that edge with some Watco.

Experience: They do help, just a bit. Like just enough. Be sure to either charge them or tip your instrument into the lights regularly to maintain a good glow.
Overall, glad I did this, as it does help. Anything bigger than 2mm started looking a bit odd, IMHO.
I selected green, simply because that is the color of light the human eye perceives best.

You'll be glad you did this, no matter what option.

 

[ole Jason]

Agreed on one the ones w/ a ring as they can be kind of matte and hard to see when they aren't charged... similar to clay dots. TBH I haven't been all that impressed with them on my bass, it seems like the charge doesn't last very long and my gigs never feature lights that will charge them onstage. I'd recommend getting one of the little flashlights they sell to keep in your gig bag so you can go over each one before taking stage.

 

[Kevan Campbell]

They're plenty bright when they're charged up, I wouldn't sweat the size. However, I might suggest #2 because when they're not charged, they can kinda disappear under stage lights. That white ring seems like it would help a ton on a dark colored board especially.

We use black rings around ours when they're used on a maple or similarly light board for the same reason.

That’s a good point about the white ring, is the actually glowing part of a Luminlay not very visible when it isn’t glowing?

 

[Kevan Campbell]

I just retrofit an MTD KZ-6 that DJ sent me a few weeks back. (freaking love it with the Bart upgrades thanks DJ!)

Went from 1.5 OEM's to 2mm Luminlay. You cannot tell it wasn't factory, as I sanded and re-sealed that edge with some Watco.

Experience: They do help, just a bit. Like just enough. Be sure to either charge them or tip your instrument into the lights regularly to maintain a good glow.
Overall, glad I did this, as it does help. Anything bigger than 2mm started looking a bit odd, IMHO.
I selected green, simply because that is the color of light the human eye perceives best.

You'll be glad you did this, no matter what option.

Thanks for weighing in! Did the larger sizes look weird because of the slope of the fretboard and neck, or was it something else?

 

[Kevan Campbell]

Agreed on one the ones w/ a ring as they can be kind of matte and hard to see when they aren't charged... similar to clay dots. TBH I haven't been all that impressed with them on my bass, it seems like the charge doesn't last very long and my gigs never feature lights that will charge them onstage. I'd recommend getting one of the little flashlights they sell to keep in your gig bag so you can go over each one before taking stage.

How long do you usually get before they start to lose their glow?

 

[Fuzzbass]

How long do you usually get before they start to lose their glow?

IME Luminlay charge time gradually decreases. Initially they glowed reasonably brightly for a half hour or more, but over a decade later they fade pretty quickly.

And yes, you definitely want the black ring when installing in maple or other pale wood. The black rings are invaluable on my Keith bass with maple neck and board, especially given that the charge isn't lasting long on that 13 year old bass. OTOH, dim dots are OK as is on my Zon that has a black composite neck.

 

[funkinbottom]

I used the 2mm w/ black ring. They've come in handy a couple times.

 

[micguy]

When it comes to markers for vidibility in low light, bigger is better:

 

[CTSIA-100]

Anyone have experience with Luminlay dots on the side of the neck?

I’ve got a Sadowsky NYC in the final stages of the build process and over the last several weeks on the road I’ve come to the realization that I’ve reached the age where these are now a necessity.

For those who have them, did you have a choice in the size and style of the inlays? My options in the photos attached, I’m trying to decide if #4 would be too large and look weird versus #3 potentially not being large and bright enough onstage.

What do y’all think?
View attachment 7309379View attachment 7309380

First, congrats

Anyone have experience with Luminlay dots on the side of the neck?

I’ve got a Sadowsky NYC in the final stages of the build process and over the last several weeks on the road I’ve come to the realization that I’ve reached the age where these are now a necessity.

For those who have them, did you have a choice in the size and style of the inlays? My options in the photos attached, I’m trying to decide if #4 would be too large and look weird versus #3 potentially not being large and bright enough onstage.

What do y’all think?
View attachment 7309379View attachment 7309380

First, congrats on your new bass being built--that is special. Incidentally, I said to myself a few months ago if I could have the "one" bass to do it all, it would be the NYC model. The build quality is superb. Second, I don't have luminlay on my Jazz Bass but size #3 would be my choice. That said, I don't know what your current vision is (I wear glasses also) and none of us knows what the future holds; so bear that in mind. If this is a keeper bass from now until, then #4's may be prudent. Best of luck. Peace.

 

[CTSIA-100]

Anyone have experience with Luminlay dots on the side of the neck?

I’ve got a Sadowsky NYC in the final stages of the build process and over the last several weeks on the road I’ve come to the realization that I’ve reached the age where these are now a necessity.

For those who have them, did you have a choice in the size and style of the inlays? My options in the photos attached, I’m trying to decide if #4 would be too large and look weird versus #3 potentially not being large and bright enough onstage.

What do y’all think?
View attachment 7309379View attachment 7309380

First, congrats

When it comes to markers for vidibility in low light, bigger is better:View attachment 7309617

...really like your signature: "I play bass because...it shakes things"!

 

[CTSIA-100]

I used the 2mm w/ black ring. They've come in handy a couple times.

View attachment 7309593

The black ring does indeed make a noticeable difference...I must remember that when the day comes for my "built for me" bass.

 

[ole Jason]

How long do you usually get before they start to lose their glow?

Maybe 10-15 minutes or so. I don't have one of the purple flashlights though, they supposedly work better if you charge them with one of those.

 

[lidl e]

I used the 2mm w/ black ring. They've come in handy a couple times.

View attachment 7309593

I did as well. Love them.

I built a right handed P Bass with a left handed neck. Never considered that a neck would only have the markers on one side! SO i installed the luminlay.

Works great

 

[jTrolt]

Thanks for weighing in! Did the larger sizes look weird because of the slope of the fretboard and neck, or was it something else?

I just felt they started looking over sized, given the width of the dark fingerboard edge on my instrument. You are drilling out the edge of a 4-6mm fingerboard, and when you have the contrast of blonde maple neck against that dark strip, you'll find it looks best centered. There is the risk of chipping out that brittle edge by boring too large a hole. At 2mm diameter, you're only leaving about 1.5-2mm either side.

Make sure you're using a fresh new drill bit. I started by drilling out the original 1.5mm with a 1/16" bit, then enlarged with a 5/64" for clean results. Those 2mm rods fit like a glove - just dip the end in medium viscosity CA glue, wipe residue/squeeze out promptly. Mask the area, flush cut the rod off, pull tape, sharp chisel to smooth/fair the cut edge. Ran full length of fingerboard edge with ~320-400 grit paper for final smooth/leveling. A little bit of Watco or similar wiping varnish quickly restores the sealed look of that edge. I did a final buff with gray scotch pad, as I wanted to dull down the gloss for a smoother feel, as so many of us do. Pretty much a factory installed appearance.

That dark fingerboard changes the argument for rings, IMHO. After using the solid, non-ringed version, I'm very glad the glow is from the entire dot, as again, its just enough to make a difference. When first charged, you'd think they're LED's, but rapidly dim down to a much subtler glow.
I totally get the black ring on an all maple neck/fingerboard, but you do need to think a little differently on the dark stuff, as you want it 100% white or 100% glow, IMHO. High contrast is the whole idea.

On my instrument, the inactive, uncharged/glowing dots are almost exactly the color of the original white dots they replaced, so they simply got a pinch better by upsizing 30% from 1.5 to 2mm. It seems so insignificant, yet it does make a difference under daylight as well as under dim lighting when you need a glancing reference.

Good luck - I still say it's worth doing.

 

[singlemalt]

I replaced 3mm perloid dots with the 3mm blue Luminlay on several basses. The old dots are soft and drilled out easily.

These were maple necks with wenge or rosewood boards, and the dots center on the seam.

I have also used the 3mm blue on the face of the board.

I have a maple/ maple birdeye neck that has the 3mm blue with the black outline. Easy to see but less glowing area.

It really is an easy DIY install. I use my phone light to charge the dots.

 

[bass12]

Agreed regarding the black ring on a maple board (this is what I had on the one maple-boarded bass I owned with Luminlay).

 

[DJmtd]

That’s a good point about the white ring, is the actually glowing part of a Luminlay not very visible when it isn’t glowing?

Yeah exactly. If it's not glowing, it's not really visible on a dark stage. As for the charge time, I've found if you hit it with a flashlight for a few min before hitting the stage it lasts for a good chunk. With stage lights throughout the set, they're still glowing in the dark after an hour and a half.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Yeah exactly. If it's not glowing, it's not really visible on a dark stage. As for the charge time, I've found if you hit it with a flashlight for a few min before hitting the stage it lasts for a good chunk. With stage lights throughout the set, they're still glowing in the dark after an hour and a half.

Yes, a pro light show can recharge the dots. Unfortunately my bands mostly play bar gigs and bring bare-minimum lighting, so if I want glow I've gotta do it manually.