Fretlight FG-200D User manual
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, 10 AM - 4:00 PM PST)
1(775)636-7300
·No software required
The Fretlight Guitar Model FG-200D 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 FG-200D Fretlight 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
FG-200D 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 FG-200D require software?
A: N0, the FG-200D 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 FG-200D 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 FG-200D have Bluetooth pairing
capability?
A: No, The FG-200D 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 Fretlight 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 Fretlight Guitar should be stored to protect it from exposure to the elements. Protect
your guitar from extreme temperatures and changes in humidity. Never leave your Fretlight 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
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