FRETLIGHT FT-600D Traveler Ultra-Light Guitar User Guide

: June 4, 2024
: FRETLIGHT

Table of Contents

CONSTRUCTION & SETUP
STRINGING AND TUNING IN-BODY GUITARS
Battery & Power Information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Troubleshooting Guide
“BUMPER TO BUMPER” LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Documents / Resources

User Guide

Thank you for purchasing a Traveler Ultra-Light Guitar FT-600D
Powered by Fretlight! 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 FT 600D Traveler Ultra Light Guitar - fig

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 largest 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.

STRINGING AND TUNING IN-BODY GUITARS

FRETLIGHT FT 600D Traveler Ultra Light Guitar - fig 1

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 ½ inches 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.
For further assistance, watch our restringing videos here and here.
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 the product.

Whatʼs Included:

Internal 200D Module/Charger
Fretlight 132 LED Fretboard
Charger cable
Internal Lithium Ion battery to power the Frelight LEDs Getting Started with the 200D Module
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.
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.
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.
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

Press any button (1A,1B or1C) to turn the 200D Module ON.
Select your Note, Chord or Scale by pressing the buttons until your desired selection is shown on the Display.
Once in working Mode, short press any of these buttons to BLINK the root notes.
Short press any of these buttons again to stop BLINK root notes.
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 a low charge, and 5 indicate a 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 you have 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 perform its 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—what is going on?

The 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 is 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 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 a 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 settings, etc. that you want. When the LEDs are on you are in “practice mode” so those ptions are limited as described previously.

CLEANING, STORAGE, AND GENERAL CARE

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.

“BUMPER TO BUMPER” LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

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, pickguards, 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:

Submit a completed warranty card or online registration form to Traveler Guitar.
Contact Traveler Guitar to obtain a Return Authorization Code before returning any instrument for service.
Provide proof of purchase with all requests for warranty service (original receipt.)
Be responsible for all freight and transportation to and from Fretlight Facility in Carson City, Nevada

The Traveler Guitar Warranty does not cover:

Instruments that have been altered or modiﬁed in any way, including altered or removed serial numbers.
Instruments that have been subjected to extreme temperature or humidity, chemicals, synthetic materials or other abnormal conditions.
Wear, discoloration or marks on the ﬁnish, metal plating or wood grain of the guitar.
Setups, adjustments, tonal characteristics, or routine maintenance of any kind.
Instruments that have been damaged due to misuse or neglect.
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]
Fretlight.com