Side dots are hard to see

[Bikeguy57]

Jockamo's on all my CS basses. Highly visible, and they hang on like grim death.

 

[mking]

White out adds a bit of brightness.

 

[LowWay]

Get a luthier to remove the dots and replace with luminlay. Then get a shoe wavelength UV flashlight to charge them before sets.

 

[js1]

Failing eyesight is what drove me to need better side markers.

My Mike Lull bass had small side markers when I bought it. I sent it back to Lull, and they installed larger, more visible markers.

On my backup bass, initially I cut strips of white label and stuck it on the side of the neck.

But my eyesight continued to get worse, and stage vanity kept me from glasses. Ultimately, finding good contact lenses meant that I could actually see the neck clearly. In the last few years, there's been some real improvement in them, and the bifocal contacts that I use now let me see clearly and are extremely comfortable.

 

[Ric Vice]

I’ve never used dot position markers since I started on Double Bass and read bass clef. A internet course in bass positions and note reading will be challenging but I’d recommend starting to get familiar with the notes. It will take some time but it’s well worth the effort. Just my take of course.

 

[Dadio]

Dabs of White nail polish …. Visible - looks nice - durable - removable.

 

[Jefenator]

I once had a maple neck with pearl side markers. Very difficult to see in sup-par lighting and BG without side markers is not cool IME. Kind of seems like the builder should have known better. But I'm the one who bought it.
I tried using a paint pen. (Thought red would be cool over maple since the body color was "Cherry Burst".) That seemed to wear off pretty quickly. So then I went with a sharpie, which didn't last any longer but at least it was quick & easy to refresh.
If I still had that bass, I might try some of those stick-on dots; I've had good luck with them on another instrument.
Another thing I might consider is getting my luthier to drill out the spots & fill them back in with something visible.

 

[Wood and Wire]

Then get a shoe wavelength UV flashlight to charge them before sets.

What size shoe?

 

[LowWay]

What size shoe?

12 EEEE

 

[Mastermold]

The OP has a nice Fender C.S. Bass and spent good money on it, I can’t see doing a cheesy cheap fix with stickers.

I had the same problem with the '60s vintage series necks Fender sold. The side and fret dots were modeled after the original tan color clay dots on early '60s Basses and they blend in with the wood in low lighting. These made my aging eyes harder to see.

I let a local luthier fix this properly by drilling out all the dots and use Mother of Pearl (MOP). Problem was solved and it looks great! I don't recall it being too expensive.

I wouldn't do this on a TRUE vintage Fender of course, but a C.S. or vintage reissue has limited value where if a mod like this was professionally done shouldn't hurt it.

I would suggest let a luthier replace the dots with MOP or plastic white which is even a bit brighter. If that doesn't help, maybe an eye exam and glasses.

The "clay" dots were actually white dots when initially installed by Fender, turning darker color over time. See, e.g.,: Vintage Fender Clay Dots - Pre CBS Stratocasters

Fender's reissue necks post-2012 had them start out that way to simulate the aged look, but their earlier reissue necks had white dots that didn't color with age, like my 2008 AVRI '62 Jazz which still has white dots some 17 years after I purchased it.

 

[kyral210]

Stickers are the way to go. I’ve used them for years with no issues.

I had this exact problem last week, I couldn’t see any markers in the light and screwed up endlessly. Stickers ordered!

 

[dougjwray]

About 12 years ago, I put a lefthanded neck on a righthanded bass. Of course, the side dots were facing the floor. What I used was tiny dabs of my daughter's white tempera paint (poster paint) on the edge of the rosewood fingerboard. All these years later, they're still there, but then again, I don't play with my thumb over the top, so they don't get rubbed. Tempera is water-based, so it would easy to remove them someday.
I also like Ric Vice's suggestion to learn to navigate by positions. I studied double bass, and rarely need to look at the neck of my electric basses.

 

[HolixBass]

I use a product called "Glow on". it is a highly phosphorescent paint that I apply over the side dots. I charge them with an LED light strip prior to the show, and during breaks.

Glow-On

Glow-On Super Phosphorescent: Hi density glow-in-in-the-dark paint, Main uses: Gun sight paint, scale modeling, glow art. Is ready to use. Non radioactive, non flammable, non toxic, enviromentally safe. Water proof and superior adherence, use on metal, glass, plastics, wood.

glow-on.com

 

[Swerve]

I used these on my Reverend Mercalli that had a maple roasted neck and tiny black dots. Made in Kansas. Worked really well for a cheap solution. But I eventually grew tired of it and sold the bass.

ChromaLabel 1/4 inch circle stickers

 

[Crusher47]

There is glow in the dark paint used for gunsights. It worked pretty well on a bass I used. A tiny little dot about the size of toothpick head.

I did the same thing! Works pretty good but haven't tried it at a gig on a dark stage yet

 

[ivanthetrble]

What kind of neck do you have? If you're coloring them with a black Sharpie I assume it's a maple fretboard?

Maple neck with rosewood board. The side dots are kind of half way in color between the neck and board. Thought if they were darker than would be easier to see against the maple part of the neck but didn't help much.

 

[ivanthetrble]

These work great, and are completely reverse-able.
Fret FX

I have been looking at those but I have been on his wait list for months now with no joy. They are backlogged for at least 6 months or more and aren't taking new orders. I have a friend who has them and he really likes them.

 

[ivanthetrble]

The OP has a nice Fender C.S. Bass and spent good money on it, I can’t see doing a cheesy cheap fix with stickers.

I had the same problem with the '60s vintage series necks Fender sold. The side and fret dots were modeled after the original tan color clay dots on early '60s Basses and they blend in with the wood in low lighting. These made my aging eyes harder to see.

I let a local luthier fix this properly by drilling out all the dots and use Mother of Pearl (MOP). Problem was solved and it looks great! I don't recall it being too expensive.

I wouldn't do this on a TRUE vintage Fender of course, but a C.S. or vintage reissue has limited value where if a mod like this was professionally done shouldn't hurt it.

I would suggest let a luthier replace the dots with MOP or plastic white which is even a bit brighter. If that doesn't help, maybe an eye exam and glasses.

Thanks, but I am an eye doctor so I think I have that area covered ;-)

 

[ivanthetrble]

The original side dots are as fourstringburn described. They are the medium tan color to match the clay dot colored neck markers. I bright light they are pretty easy to see but under dimmer or colored stage lighting they can be very hard to see.

 

[Medicine Man]

I practice in the dark sometimes.