Hi all - this ad just came across my FB, wondering if any of you have tried it. Does it amplify enough to make the investment worthwhile, or are you just better off with a real amp ? +1 for innovative tech though.


https://www.tonewoodamp.com/

Hi Joe,

I have one. My son got it for me as a birthday gift. In my opinion they're kind of expensive for a one trick pony... I probably wouldn't have laid out that much cash for myself, but as a gift I like it a lot.

If amplification is what you're after, that's probably not what you want. What it does best is make effects like reverb available to an acoustic-electric instrument. The effects come out of the guitar's sound hole along with the unamplified acoustic sound. It basically sounds like an acoustic guitar but sweeter.

Pat,

I read some reviews that mentioned damage to guitars when installing the braces required for this device. Can you comment on how hard that installation was for you?

the part that goes inside the guitar is a magnet with 3 or 4 legs (don't recall exactly)... double backed mounting tape on the legs holds the inside piece from moving around. You can locate it wherever you have room. Easy install, you don't even have to take the strings off if you can loosen them enough to squeeze the inside part past them.

The outside piece (the interface) is held in place by the magnet inside the guitar. It is a very strong magnet that has no problem holding the outer piece thru the wood of the guitar. Sliding the interface while the magnet is pulling it could easily scratch the finish, so they recommend prying one edge up to break the magnetic bond before repositioning anything.

I think the magnet is so strong that if the wood is brittle it could crack the wood or the finish. I kind of wish the magnet was a bit LESS strong.

What a great thing to get as a present from your son! I need to raise mine to be like that too. Any tips lol? Kidding aside, I've heard from a couple of people now that Tonewood amp is awesome. Not had the pleasure of trying one myself yet though.

the best thing any music store could do to sell these things would be to have a guitar set up on a stand beside a stool. If you play it, you'll want it.

But as already stated.. it's kind of a one trick pony. Chances are you already have an amp with reverb, which is basically what the Tonewood delivers in a smaller package. How much are you willing to spend to have reverb magically emanate from your acoustic guitar?

Why not use some sort of spacer? Maybe a thin piece of felt....assuming that the TW works that way with a spacer..... OR.... put the spacer on the inside and then the TW can still be in direct contact with the wooden back.

good idea! I'll try a couple of variations on that idea to see what works best. Thanks for chiming in, Herb... I appreciate it!