Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF

Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Topic started by: MB on May 19, 2016, 10:38:28 AM

Title: Tonewood Amp
Post by: MB on May 19, 2016, 10:38:28 AM
Have any of you tried this with a Taylor guitar? Looks interesting....

http://www.tonewoodamp.com/
Title: Re: Tonewood Amp
Post by: PaulWood on May 23, 2016, 06:13:18 AM
I agree that this piece of kit looks interesting and I've enjoyed watching the videos. Its really tempting but I'm not sure about the fixing mechanism, which appears to be double-sided adhesive tape. They say it's totally reversible but I'm not sure I would want to risk ruining the finish on my guitars. Any thoughts on that?
Title: Re: Tonewood Amp
Post by: Jersey tuning on May 23, 2016, 09:01:07 AM
The inside of  the guitar, which is unfinished,  would be the recipient of the tape. Nevertheless,  I would be cautious about using this device on a multi-$G guitar
Title: Re: Tonewood Amp
Post by: MB on May 23, 2016, 03:16:45 PM
Makes me nervous too! I think I'll wait a bit until they work out the bugs and come up with a more advanced unit that will not harm the guitar in any way. It does sound pretty cool tho!
Title: Re: Tonewood Amp
Post by: PaulWood on May 24, 2016, 06:19:56 AM
Thanks for putting me straight on the 'double-sided tape' issue - I've just looked at a Tonewood amp installation video, which has dealt with most of my misgivings. The magnetic X-Brace (which, I assume, is held in place by double-sided tape) looks solid enough, but my thoughts have moved on to wonder about whether or not there might be a proximity problem with the Expression system. Looks like you would need a short cable from the guitar jack socket to the Tonewood amp input but would this be a regular guitar lead? I'm guessing there's no opinion from Taylor, so is there anyone out there who has fitted a Tonewood amp to a Taylor acoustic?
Title: Re: Tonewood Amp
Post by: logansrun on August 09, 2017, 08:59:27 PM
Hi, I'm a new user here and saw this older thread. I have a 514ce and I bought a Tonewood Amp about 18 months ago. I have really enjoyed it. I too had a little concern with taping the X brace inside of my guitar's back side, but I've not noticed any ill harm.

I did a short Youtube video with my Taylor in it and the Tonewood amp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1hYoGSBl8c (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1hYoGSBl8c)
Title: Re: Tonewood Amp
Post by: Frettingflyer on August 13, 2017, 08:10:30 PM
Welcome Logan, and thank you for the review. This looks interesting to me as well, but not quite ready to purchase yet...
Title: Re: Tonewood Amp
Post by: donlyn on August 13, 2017, 11:31:13 PM
logansrun and MB,

Thanks for posting this. Watched a lot of video on this, and am very intrigued. While not an insta-buy, it's definitely on my radar now.

By the way, according to their installation video, the blue tape is a temporary thing while you center the x-brace with the actual ToneWood Amp. Part of a pre-installation checklist if you will.

And about compatible systems, I found this on their site:
"Generally, we have had a very good experience with most under-saddle piezo pickups, Expression II systems (Taylor)* . . . " (No, I am not affiliated with this company, just a messenger; don't shoot.)

Don

Title: Re: Tonewood Amp
Post by: Jersey tuning on August 14, 2017, 06:32:33 PM
Installed one of these on a 2005 614-CE.  Blue tape was no problem.  Lowest back brace position on the 614 forced me to put the magnetic crossarm a bit lower than ideal.  So far results are mixed, possibly because of issues with my ES1.  Will continue to post as I have time to resolve my issues