Installing the Tonewood Amp and a Pickup on My Acoustic Guitar

Turn your acoustic guitar into an electric! I got the @ToneWoodAmpMagic as a gift, but to install it on my guitar, I needed an acoustic pickup. I wanted to share the build with you so you could see the pitfalls and troubles I encountered on the way. The pickup is passive, meaning it doesn't need power. The passive acoustic pick up connects to the sound hole, and leads to the Tone Wood Amp through a patch cable. I installed the 1/4" jack as the guitar strap button instead of connecting it outside of the soundhole. I wanted it to be a permanent install.
Primarily I'm a drummer, but I'm glad my dad hooked me on playing the guitar while I was young. This ToneWood Amp install makes it even more fun!
Awesome Gear I used in this project (Amazon Affiliate Links):
ToneWoodAmp Acoustic-Electric Guitar Amplifier
amzn.to/3jPGZDD
Rango RG-S3 Passive Acoustic Pickup
amzn.to/3HZ5vKq
Replacement Pick Guard (color: Black Pearl)
amzn.to/3XxwYIR
24 Assorted Picks
amzn.to/3YQ88Fe
3M ScotchBlue Painters Tape
amzn.to/3lxZHQs
1080p HDMI Recorder
amzn.to/3K29AQF
Comica Wireless Mics
amzn.to/3YwE8hL
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini (needs external device to stream/record)
amzn.to/3E6B0kK
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro (onboard streaming/recording)
amzn.to/3XuAhQY
Chair Mounted Portable Green Screen
amzn.to/3lzrRuu
#tonewoodamp #acousticguitar #guitar

[@killmaster2004]

My friend, your installation of the Amp has shown me more in depth how to do it, I was a bit confused before. That definitely earns you another subscriber. AKA me

[@KirkHMiller]

You’re the best! Thanks!

[@killmaster2004]

​@@KirkHMiller Your welcome, my friend!

[@troyduong]

Enjoy playing with your Tonewood Amp, I got mine today ... Cheers

[@KirkHMiller]

Awesome! I love the Chorus sound…

[@troyduong]

@@KirkHMiller I got mine installed it and tried out the sound. I did not hear a crispy tone like I heard from other owners. How does your guitar sound?

[@KirkHMiller]

I had to have someone else play it and I stood across the room to get what other people hear. It also matters how far up or down inside the body it is. You may need to reseat the magnet.

[@stephen25uk]

If the Tonewood vibrates the guitar and the sound comes out through the sound hole, why do you need a pickup and cables? I don't get it. My Martin has no pickup, can I use a Tonewood amp with it?

[@KirkHMiller]

Think of it like a repeater. It needs a pickup because it takes the sound and creates vibrations that sound like chorus, tremolo, etc. It does this through a rubber cup making contact with the wood and vibrating the body. Your Martin would need an external pickup like I installed.

[@stephen25uk]

@@KirkHMiller Thanks, good explanation. I will probably get an external pickup as you did. 👍

[@fotheringportconvect]

@@stephen25uk You do NOT need to install a pickup, the unit fits any acoustic instrument that can allow internal access of the magnetic X-piece and a near flat back. Yes, it will also be usable with a magnetic or piezo pickup, but it's not a necessity. These are the manufacturers words.... They know! ▫️Works With Any Acoustic Guitar "You can install the ToneWoodAmp on any flat or (slightly) arched-back acoustic guitar. Electric and non-electric*, steel and nylon strings, all can work with the ToneWoodAmp. Compatible pickups: magnetic pickup for steel string acoustic guitars and under saddle piezo pickup for both nylon and steel string guitars".

[@fotheringportconvect]

That is the worst installation guide I've ever seen. Ignored ALL of the instructions of both the manufacturers. Ignore 😮

[@KirkHMiller]

What did I skip? I followed the directions for the ToneWood Amp and the Pickup. The only modification I needed to make was to make the hole for the jack wider.

[@fotheringportconvect]

@@KirkHMiller You cut out the 'dry run' completely allowing you to position the amp for the best sound & tone, you then taped over the controls which would allow you set up the sweet spot, you took a shot in the dark re lining up magnets accurately. I'm amazed if it works at its best. Just watch the 'ToneWoodAmp' manufacturer's instruction videos rather than this attempt. Sorry, I know it was done with good intent, but it was totally misleading the viewer. Ken

[@fotheringportconvect]

@@KirkHMiller it doesn't require a pickup btw, just an acoustic will do but you can obviously add one and you can DI the output.... 🙄

[@KirkHMiller]

@@fotheringportconvect Do you have a ToneWood Amp installed in a guitar without a pickup? I can't see how it would work without... It takes the signal from the pickup and amplifies it.

[@fotheringportconvect]

@@KirkHMiller "The ToneWoodAmp provides the newest and most unique acoustic guitar playing experience without the need for an amplifier! It enhances the natural sound of virtually any acoustic guitar, adds depth, texture and effects, and creates a unique surround sound feel never experienced by acoustic guitar players before". It does NOT make the acoustic guitar louder btw, which is the part you're struggling over. It simply "enhances the natural sound".... You CAN make it 'louder' by plugging the unit in to an external amplifier or PA system, or by using a mic via a PA. This strap-on processes the natural sounds, nothing more, and beautifully 👍👍