I don't know if anyone has discussed this yet in the thread about alternate fascias and such, so I'll just throw it out there. I would love to have black buttons (and a black dial). Why black, you ask? Well, the buttons on everything else in my car are black. :)

I assume I could probably just paint the buttons and dial I already have; but it'd probably rub off, and might not look too good (the black might not match the black of the rest of the fascia).

How hard is it to replace the buttons? Is there any chance of something like "alternatively colored buttons" happening in the future?

-Dan

-----
Daniel M. Zimmerman
Mk.2 #56, 36GB, Red (eventually :)
Mk.1 #101, 10GB, Blue

It's not hard to run different colours, but there is an overhead of setting up the tool and running plastic through it. I'll talk to the contractor about getting some black samples.

Rob

I'm not going to start taking orders for something that may or may not ever exist!

Rob

Rob, are the buttons from the Mk1 available seperately ?

One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

I would like to have Black buttons ass well...

If they ever become available

Tino
Reg #8485

You can get them from Farnell, in a variety of colours (including clear).

Rob

Ah Ha! Thank you. I'll go dig around the web site.

One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

Rob,

I spent ages digging through my Farnell catalogue last night and in the end had to admit that without knowing what switch type is used on the Mk1, it's pretty pointless looking for the button caps!

Can you let me know the type, and maybe the Farnell part number, for the switch so I can identify the cap type to go with it?

One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

The farnell code for the standard switches is 914-461 (2 pounds for a pack of 10). There's a 16mm version, which makes the buttons flush with the empeg display (but still operable - just harder to find in the dark!) which is 917-450 (same price).

The clear tops are 311-2445/311-2457 respectively for short/standard length.

All on p497 of the "Electrical" (book 4) of the current catalogue.

Hugo

Thank you very much Hugo. Now I can dig back into my book....

One of the few remaining Mk1 owners... #00015

Isn't it extraordinary that the president, CEO, chief hardware wizard, sometime programmer, (and probably janitor by night!) of a multi-million dollar corporation will take the time to do the research and look up part numbers and page numbers in an obscure catalog to answer an e-mail request about button caps for some seventy-cent switches.

At the risk of sounding fawning and effusive... you guys at empeg are simply the best. It is this hands-on, caring attitude towards your clients that has defined a customer loyalty (on this bbs, at least) bordering on fanaticism. And best of all, it's a two-way street: You (empeg) have an inestimably valuable resource in the participants on this bbs, and it is pleasing to see you make such good use of it.

There -- is this "attaboy" good enough to move me up a few places in the waiting queue? Yeah... I thought not.

tanstaafl.



"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"

I know what you mean... I can't think of any other product I have ever purchased where I felt quite such a sense of ownership, or involvement with the product (I even have trouble referring to the empeg as a 'product' - it's more like a member of the family )

I wouldn't pass up this experience for anything... I can still remember the feeling when I first registered (20 months or more ago) and the anticipation I have felt since - even after buying the Mk1, checking the website daily for new beta releases and (eventually) details of the Mk2.

The adventure continues...

Geoff
---- -------
Got one of the first Mark 2 empegs...

And the funny thing is, Doug's just as much a member of this little community as anyone else here, and he doesn't even own an Empeg yet.

What's your queue number again, Doug?

___________
Tony Fabris

What's your queue number again, Doug?

8741

:-(

Damn. I was all prepared to get cute and write it out in Roman Numerals... but to do so I need to type an M with a bar over it. I think it would be something like mmMcccmxli (where the upper case M represents an m with a bar over it).

Sigh. Once again my brilliant wit must go unappreciated.

tanstaafl.

"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch"

It's almost like overparenting on our behalf!
in Monty Pythons John Cleese's woman voice
OOoo how's the nee Empeg comin on then? I'd like them coloured buttons on mine! Have you upgraded the latest patch then? Just like the mark one it was only different. MMm Yeas. No I think the front panel should have been in norwegian blue.

you only have to look at the activity of the posts just be fore the mk2 shipped!


Murray 06000047
____________________

> and probably janitor by night!

What a brilliant suggestion - this could slash our cleaning costs! :-)

Rob

Isn't it extraordinary that the president, CEO, chief hardware wizard, sometime programmer, (and probably janitor by night!)

Hmm, he's currently vacuuming the floor around me, and its nearly night. :)


--
Mike Crowe
I may not be speaking on behalf of empeg above :-)

Yes, and I would really like some silver ones for a mk1. Do they sell the same bits in RS? I dont have a farnell book.

Thanks.

president, CEO, chief hardware wizard, sometime programmer, (and probably janitor by night!)

And secret super-hero, you forgot that part! Many's the time I've gone to speak to Hugo, only to find a faint glow from the batphone, and his cape-peg empty.



Roger - not necessarily speaking for empeg

Are super-heroes allowed to be that short?

___________
Tony Fabris

Ouch! Tony you're a meanie.

Calvin

Sorry, no idea. I don't have an RS book!

Hugo

Or as in one of Monty Python schetches where all are super men he is a
Bycikel Repair Man


Mark
wait for mk III with a USB Host/slave
(USB->GPS)(USB->Bluetooth)(USB->You name it)

Hello All

Hate to resurrect this ancient post but I still think it's a great idea. Black buttons would really go with my particular car interior and I'm sure that there are a number of newer members (since this post archived) out there who would benefit from the availability of other colors as well.

Any thoughts, is there anyone who has already done this? I am aware of Brian's clear buttons but I have never seen a thread on solid colored ones.....

Actually, his smoke buttons without any backlighting look dark enough where they might match. I have not seen them in person (yet), but from the photos on his site, they might work for you.

Thanks Paul

I'll check them out...

Yeah, so far, all of Brian's buttons that I've tried all look nearly black when they're not backlit.

Black paint is very cheap and easy to apply..

Greetings!

Wouldn't that chip? What kind of paint would you use on plastic like this?

>Wouldn't that chip?

It should not chip if applied correctly (very thin layer(s)).

>What kind of paint would you use on plastic like this?

Well, personally I wouldn't! I think black buttons would be even harder to find/use at night. But were I to do it, I'd start with whatever scrap paint I have around the house -- way too wasteful to buy a new can just for four itty bitty buttons, unless I had none.

So, I'd pop out the buttons, scuff lightly with 240 grit sandpaper, and wipe on some acrylic primer. A few hours later, I'd wipe on a very thin layer of black acrylic, and tidy up any bald spots with a second coat the next day. Finally, I'd give it a thin spray of acrylic sealer (either matte or glossy) if I could find my can of the stuff.

Cheers

Note: I mainly use small 2oz tubes of artist's acrylics for stuff like this, leftovers from D&D figurine painting sessions.

-ml

Greetings!

I am not thinking of doing it myself, but I never tried the painting on plastic. With the constant use, I would think you would need to seal them, or have special paint. Just curious...

I know what you mean about leftover paint and D&D figures, though...

I can make solid black and most any other color. I have one set of black buttons right now, I just don't remember if I have both types of knobs cast.

Hi Brian

Well, I would certainly be interested in your black buttons if you're willing to sell them...I have an Empeg Mk 2 with the original style knob (rubber washer).

Thanks -