FRETLIGHT FG-200D Electric Guitar with Built-in Chords User Guide

FRETLIGHT FG-200D Electric Guitar with Built-in Chords

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: support@fretlight.com
  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..

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.

What’s 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 guitars 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 youve 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-BriteTM 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

Its true! Climate affects every guitars 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–what’s 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–what’s going on?

• Pickup Position
• Effects
• Grounding Issues
• Power Strips
• Power Adapters
• Pickups The Fretlight Learning System utilizes 132 LEDs,

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.

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, STORAGE, AND GENERAL CARE

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.
Fretlight.com

References

• The Fretlight Wireless Guitar Store – The Fretlight Guitar Store
• Traveler Guitar | Acoustic | Electric | Hybrid | Bass Guitars

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