Fretlight Traveler Ultra-Light FT-600D User manual

Thank you for purchasing a
Traveler Ultra-Light Guitar
FT-600D
Powered by Fretlight!
Fretlight.com
User Guide
Traveler Guitar is the industry’s leading manufacturer of full-scale, travel-
sized instruments. Most travel guitars sacrifice playability for portability—but
at Traveler Guitar, we believe players need both. Since 1992, we have
designed full-scale acoustic and electric travel guitars.
The Ultra-Light Guitar you hold in your hands is a solid-body acoustic/
electric guitar that can go with you almost anywhere. It has is similar to
other guitars, except in its “In-Body” tuning system which allows it to be
shorter than conventional guitars. The tuning machines operate like
traditional tuning machines, yet they are mounted in the body of the guitar.
Strings pass through the end-cap, then around the String Rollers and to the
tuning machines mounted to the back of the guitar. The tuning keys are
accessible from the front of the guitar to allow tuning while holding the
guitar in the playing position.
UNPACKING YOUR GUITAR
If your guitar is factory packed it may be wrapped in a silver, temperature insulating mylar
bag. This bag can be discarded.
INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
Gig Bag, Removable Laprest,truss rod wrench,and Fretlight charging cable

CONSTRUCTION & SETUP
Fretlight.com
Endcap
Piezo Pickup
Output Jack/
Strap Button
String Rollers Removable Laprest
SETUP:
The Ultra-Light is extremely easy to set up for playing. Its removable lap-rest is stored in the front pouch of the
gig bag. The prongs of the lap rest fit into small holes on the treble side of the guitar. Pressure holds the lap-
rest in place.
PLUGGING INTO AN AMP:
The Ultra-Light has a passive piezo pickup under the saddle which requires no batteries. The standard 1/4”
output can be plugged into any amplifier, and no batteries are required.

INSTALLING STRINGS ON IN-BODY TUNING EQUIPPED GUITARS:
To change strings, you will need a pair of wire cutters. A string winder is not necessary, but can speed up the
process.
The tuners on your Traveler Guitar operate just like the tuners on a standard guitar. We recommend changing
the strings three at a time because some of the components are held in place by string tension. First remove
the old E, A, and D strings, and then install three new strings in their places. Repeat this process on the G, B,
and high E strings.
To change, thread the string through its hole in the endcap (or in the case of nylon-stringed models, wrap the
strings as you would on a traditional nylon-string guitar’s bridge) and wrap the string around the roller and
through the corresponding tuner hole. Leave approximately 2 ½inches of slack in the string to allow 3 to 4
wraps on the tuner. Bend the string to anchor it in place in order to hold the string after it is fed through the
tuner. Over- or under-wrapping the string around the tuner may cause tuning problems.
TUNING:
Hold the guitar in playing position. Tune string to pitch, and when satisfied, clip excess string off.
STRINGING AND TUNING IN-BODY GUITARS
For further assistance, watch our restringing videos here and here.
Back Front
GBE
DAE
G B E
D A E
000123
Fretlight.com

User Guide
Introduction, Customer Care & Warranty Information
This manual is designed to cover Fretlight Fretboard functions and
200D Module capabilities. If you have questions about your
Fretlight that are not found in this guide, please see our Support
Page at fretlight.com/help
You can also contact Fretlight Support:
·Email: [email protected]
Phone (M-F, 9 AM - 4:00 PM PST)
1(775)636-7300
·No software required
The Fretlight Traveler Guitar Model FT-600D is completely self
contained. It requires no external software. the Chords and Scales
Library is contained in the 200D Module mounted on the guitar.
Table of Contents
Introduction, Customer Care & Warranty Information
Fretlight 1-Year Limited Warranty
Whatʼs Included
Getting Started
200D onboard Module
Battery & Power Information
Cleaning Your Fretlight Fretboard
Understanding Humidity
Troubleshooting Guide

Fretlight 1-Year Limited Warranty
Optek Music Systems, Inc. warrants all Fretlight electronics against defects
in workmanship and/ or materials for a term of 1-year from the receipt of
product.
Whatʼs Included:
1. Internal 200D Module/Charger
2. Fretlight 132 LED Fretboard
3. Charger cable
4. Internal Lithium Ion battery to power the Frelight LEDs
Getting Started with the 200D Module
1. Introduction to the 200D Module
The FT-600D Fretlight Traveler Guitar is equipped with the 200D Chords &
Scales Module, which can display any Note, Chord or Scale from our
Chords & Scales Library. All of this information is contained within the 200D
Module. No software or external device of any kind is needed to operate the
FT-600D Fretlight learning Technology.
2. Display Notes
Select the note by pressing the NOTE selection button and then select the
note by pressing the lower Note button until your note is shown on the
display.
3. Display Chords
Select the Chord by pressing the CHORD selection button and then select
the Chord by pressing the two lower buttons until your chord is shown on the
display.
4. Display Scales
Select the Scale and Key by pressing the SCALE selection button and then
select the Scale/Key by pressing the two lower buttons until your Scale/Key
is shown on the display.

200D Module Functions
1. Press any button (1A,1B or1C) to turn the 200D Module ON.
2. Select your Note, Chord or Scale by pressing the buttons until
your desired selection is shown on the Display.
3. Once in working Mode, short press any of these buttons to BLINK
the root notes.
4. Short press any of these buttons again to stop BLINK root notes.
5. Press any button (1A,1B or 1C) to turn the 200D Module OFF.
-

Battery & Power Information
To charge the guitarʼs internal battery, connect the micro-USB
end of the charging cable to the guitar, and plug the USB
adapter to a wall outlet. You can also plug it into any USB
connection. The Fretlight uses a standard micro-USB connect so
you can use any micro-USB you prefer.
A full charge takes about 4 hours.
Battery life depends on individual use. Weeks, or even months
is typical with average use.
To check the battery level, press the ON/OFF button twice.
LEDs will display across the 5th fret. One LED indicates low
charge, 5 indicates full charge.
For optimal system performance, we recommend keeping the
battery above two LEDs.
To turn off, or reset the guitar, press and hold the ON/OFF
button for at least 3 seconds. The guitar will turn on all of it
LEDs briefly before shutting down.
If the guitar is connected to an app the battery saving auto-shut
off will occur after 60 minutes of inactivity.
Do not operate your guitar while charging! This could damage
the USB port and void your warranty!

The Fretlight Guitar Neck
The advanced polymer fretboard uses standard, silver-nickel frets
and cleverly conceals the patented Fretlight Learning system. The
ultra-thin circuit board contains 132 low-profile LEDs and a
dedicated Sonix micro-controller that powers the learning system
to display any chord, scale, song or riff in real time.
Cleaning Your Fretboard
The advanced polymer fretboard acts and behaves like a normal
rosewood or ebony fingerboard in many ways except for
cleaning and/or sanding. Use only a dry or damp cloth (water
only) to clean any finger oil or residue from the Fretlight
fretboard. After youʼve been playing for a few months, you may
notice small scratches on the surface of the fretboard.
Smooth small scratches by buffing the fretboard lightly with a
Scotch-Brite™ pad.
Do NOT use any solvents, oils or fluids other than water. Doing
so will VOID the warranty.
Do NOT use a powered sander or sanding device on the
Fretlight. Doing so will VOID the warranty

Understanding Humidity
Itʼs true! Climate affects every guitarʼs playability. A common
issue with any guitar is "String Buzz" (buzzing occurs when a
vibrating string touches the metal fret on a fretboard).
Buzzing is usually the result of wood acclimatizing to new
surroundings, especially when a guitar has recently traveled
for shipping or re-location. As tough as it is to wait, adjusting
an acclimatizing guitar is a never ending battle. Give your
guitar a few days (maybe more if it's been exposed to
extreme climate change) to settle before you attempt any
adjustment.
Your guitar may settle higher or lower than what was set by a
Fretlight Guitar Tech. Most likely, there is insufficient relief
(upwards or concave curve in the neck). A few turns of the
truss rod should fix the issue. You may need to make periodic
truss rod adjustments, especially when the seasons change.
This adjustment is best performed by your local trained guitar
technician.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Does the FT-600D require software?
A: N0, the FT-600D is fully self contained and requires no
software or computer connection to preform it's functions.
Q: Does Fretlight require an internet connection?
A: No, the FT-600D is fully self contained.
Q: Does the Fretlight need to be charged after I receive it?
A:Yes, you should charge the Fretlight overnight when you
first receive it and after that about once a week should be
fine.
Q: Does the Fretlight FT-600 have Bluetooth pairing
capability?
A: No, The FT-600D is fully self contained and has no
Bluetooth connection capability.

Troubleshooting Guide
I hear buzzing on the strings and frets—whatʼs going on?
●Player is playing the guitar too hard
●Your guitar is not set-up properly ·
Try playing the guitar a little softer.
A simple and routine truss rod adjustment or guitar setup can solve most
fret buzz issues. See “Adjusting the Neck of your Fretlight” on page 8.
−

I hear noise through the amp—whatʼs going on?
●Pickup Position
●Effects
●Grounding Issues
●Power Strips
●Power Adapters
●Pickups The Fretlight Learning System utilizes 132 LEDʼs,
which naturally produce a slight electronic noise that, if improperly
connected to your device and amp, could be heard through your
guitar's connected amp. A proper musical setup should ensure proper
grounding with all powered items.
DO - The electric guitar should only use its 1st
position bridge pickup while running the lights. The closer the pickup is
to the neck, the louder the noise will become. Only use a clean channel
(no effects; especially overdrive or distortion) while at a moderate
volume. Plug directly into the amp whenever possible and do not go
through pedals or other devices if possible as they can create ground
loops or and their own noise to the channel.
Make sure any plugged in device (amps, computer,
effects, pedals, etc.) uses a power supply has a grounded, 3-prong,
plug. Most newer amps come standard with grounded power supply. If
you are connected to a device like an iPad or laptop to record or
modulate the guitar's sound use it without connecting its power supply,
thereby running it off its internal battery.
plug or a
3-to-2 adapter plug. Do not use a two-pronged

Make sure that the Fretlight charging USB cable is not
plugged into the guitar. Make sure that any
powered item if plugged is going into a wall outlet that is
grounded, in other words, has 3 prongs.
DON'Ts - Do not use a two-prong plug or a
3-to-2 adapter plug. Do not use a two-pronged
wall outlet. Only use 3-pronged,
grounded, wall outlets. Do not use the middle or neck
pickups or any effects while running the lights.
CAUTIONS - Try not to use power strips or extension cords,
as they WILL introduce extra noise into the system. For best
results, connect your system as described previously. Make
sure that you are using a shielded guitar cable as there is a
difference when it comes to extraneous noise introduced into
the system when using a good cable and as such we
recommend using a name-brand cable.
PRACTICE MODE - When the LEDs are not on you can use
any effects, pickup setting, etc. that you want. When the
LEDs are on you are in "practice mode" so those options are
limited as described previously.

CLEANING:
Periodic cleaning and polishing will help protect your Traveler Guitar. Use a polish formulated for musical
instruments and apply it according to the polish directions—or, you can wipe the guitar down with a clean,
damp cloth followed quickly by a clean, dry cloth. To clean residue off the fingerboard, you can use extra-fine
steel wool to rub up and down the length of the fingerboard over the top of the frets. Never use furniture
polish on the guitar, as you may damage the finish.
STORAGE:
When not in use, your Traveler Guitar should be stored in its included gig bag to protect it from exposure to
the elements. Protect your guitar from extreme temperatures and changes in humidity. Never leave your
Traveler Guitar in a closed vehicle or any other location where the guitar will be exposed to extreme heat. If
you live in a dry climate, you may want to use a guitar humidifier.
ADJUSTMENTS:
We recommend leaving complicated operations (such as truss rod adjustments) to a trained guitar
technician. Improper truss rod adjustments may damage your guitar and void your warranty.
CLEANING, STORAGE, AND GENERAL CARE
Fretlight.com

Each Traveler Guitar instrument is warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for as
long as it is owned by the original retail purchaser except strings, tuning machines, frets, switches, electronic
components, jacks, pick guards, and plated surfaces, which are warranted for a period of three (3) years
from the date of the original purchase. The warranty is only eligible to the original owner, and the guitar
must have been purchased from an authorized Traveler Guitar dealer.
Traveler Guitar will replace or repair, at its discretion, any Traveler Guitar instrument or part thereof, which is
found by Traveler Guitar to be defective. Traveler Guitar reserves the right to use original replacement
materials or materials of similar design at the time of the repair.
The Fretlight electronics are warranted for a period of 1 year from the date of the original purchase.
To become eligible for warranty service, the original purchaser must:
1. Submit a completed warranty card or online registration form to Traveler Guitar.
2. Contact Traveler Guitar to obtain a Return Authorization Code before returning any instrument for service.
3. Provide proof of purchase with all requests for warranty service (original receipt.)
4. Be responsible for all freight and transportation to and from Fretlight Facility in Carson City, Nevada
The Traveler Guitar Warranty does notcover:
1. Instruments that have been altered or modified in any way, including altered or removed serial
numbers.
2. Instruments that have been subjected to extreme temperature or humidity, chemicals, synthetic
materials or other abnormal conditions.
3. Wear, discoloration or marks on the finish, metal plating or wood grain of the guitar.
4. Setups, adjustments, tonal characteristics or routine maintenance of any kind.
5. Instruments that have been damaged due to misuse or neglect.
6. Normal wear and tear to hardware including: strings, tuning machines, frets, switches, electronic
components, jacks, pickguards, and plated surfaces.
Please contact us first to resolve any warranty issues.
Warranty Questions:
Traveler Fretlight Guitar
Email to : [email protected]
“BUMPER TO BUMPER” LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Fretlight.com