LEDs Too Bright

MrBump

When did super bright LEDs actually become a selling point?  I just want to know if the damn thing is on or off.  If the light is too bright - particularly when playing live and everything on stage is a little dark - I can't see the bloody controls!

vasselmeyer

I agree with you, especially on dark stages. A small bit of electrical tape usually does the job.

joetele

Agreed. The initial runs of the new Fender pedals had super bright LEDs inside a vintage jewel style enclosure and you could light a whole room with it / be unable to see the rest of your pedals. They're started putting smaller, less ostrusive ones in recently. But a lot of the pedals I get seem to have really bright LEDs. 

Kittyfrisk

I have had this problem with loads of kit over the last few years including TV's, receivers, pedals, external HD's etc.
I found the best solution is to use the paper self adhesive dots that you use for wall charts.
They are colour coded so can match the LED colour, can be layered to get the attenuation that you want & don't leave any sticky residue that electrical tape/gaffer does.
Oh yes, they are perfect for blocking laptop and mobile 'face' cameras too 

BeardyAndy

Yeah. I've sold it now but my Fender Mirror Image was insanely bright, you buy a sexy new pedal and the first thing i had to do was put some masking tape across the front!?!

WiresDreamDisasters

The Friedman Fuzz Fiend and MXR Reverb next to each other basically sear both of your eyes out. I was thinking some light 'see through' tape too, just to dampen the light rather than get rid of it completely.

MrBump

You know what, I'm so dense it never even occurred to me to tape over them..

Grumpyrocker

Get some LightDims - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BZBBITE/

They are like little sunglasses for your overbright LEDs.

I use them on lots of my electronic stuff. 

MrBump

Genius.

PolarityMan

bright LEDs are cool

TateFX

It's a difficult business as you want them to be bright enough to see on a summer festival stage as well. 

joetele

TateFX said:

It's a difficult business as you want them to be bright enough to see on a summer festival stage as well. 

Very true. I wonder what the ratio of gigs is between dark pubs and sunny stages? 

LastMantra

I enjoy the light show on my ceiling. 

MrBump

TateFX said:

It's a difficult business as you want them to be bright enough to see on a summer festival stage as well. 

I've got one of yours, Stuart - Brexit Means Brexit - and while it does have an exceptionally bright LED, it's sensible enough to place the controls a long way away from it!!!

Sassafras

Didn't it all start with the modders like Keeley and Analogman?
I like the tiny little Boss type LEDs, you know they're on without being blinded.

merlin

Tape = Bright stage OFF, dark dingy shit-hole pub ON.

Simple, now back to work you renegades. 

prowla

I have tape over one or two of them...

ICBM

Wear sunglasses at all times, like a proper musician.

MagicPigDetective

It is annoying. A plus side though is at home, the cool lighting they produce when you turn the room lights off, giving a nice ambience. The different colour lights reflected on the frets looks very cool, anyone else noticed this? 

WiresDreamDisasters

ICBM said:

Wear sunglasses at all times, like a proper musician.

Even outdoors?

Grunfeld

Grumpyrocker said:

Get some LightDims - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BZBBITE/

Woohoo!  They also do a sheet of the stuff which you can cut to size and I've just bought one of those for the radio by my bed. 

For my FX -- Catalinbread I'm looking at you -- I used bog standard masking tape but this stuff looks nicer.