Level Up Your Acoustic Guitar | ToneWoodAmp Demo

This gadget changed my world so it's nice to have time to talk about it. Thanks ToneWoodAmp, and to my patrons...
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Hi I'm Mike Dawes, solo fingerstyle guitarist, session musician with Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues and more. I've spent the past 8 years touring the planet and I'm excited to share some gear insights now that I have time off the road!
DISCLAIMER: I will only promote the use of a product I actually use!
00:00 Intro
00:45 Discovering the ToneWoodAmp
02:06 What is the ToneWoodAmp?
04:08 Rechargeable Power
04:53 Features Overview
05:38 Effects
09.26 Parameters
10:53 Amplitude & Gain Staging
11:51 Notch Filters & Saving
13:08 Overview
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[@mikedawesofficial]

Thanks for enjoying the vids folks. It's been nice to combine music videos, podcasts and gear demos recently. Please do subscribe/comment/like etc as it helps Al Gore's rhythm so I can make more

[@narasimhaswamy3849]

Hey Mike your cool

[@CasperEsmann]

Witchcraft and wizardry❤️

[@msmartin4]

Such a great piece of gear! I wanted it since I first heard about it from you a few years back. Got one a year and a half ago and now unicorns are always in great abundance! Thanks!

[@alexheslop2917]

Video edit and quality is unbelievable, great work Mike!

[@robertcornwell9510]

Hi Mike; I bought one last year at your recommendation. Best piece of kit I’ve bought in 30 years. Really brought life back to my playing.

[@parthrastogi6929]

10:34 Freestyler!!!

[@jamierawls1918]

I've seen these repeatedly thru ads, usually with Mike's name attached, but this is the first time I've watched a break down of it. As a live looping guitarist, I'm definitely more interested than ever now in getting a Tonewood. Specifically for those Hall/Reverb effects.

[@mikedawesofficial]

Oh sweet that’s nice to hear

[@DianeLee999]

Love your video edits, Mike! Your quirky humor on display…and too many hours of late night TV. 🤣 Great job making sense of this little pkg of wizardry. Thanks 💜😷

[@elizafluorine2001]

You have such a profound impact on my carrier that even the biggest thank you text would fall shot to express my gratitude. Thanks for your support ❤️❤️❤️

[@janrandles8683]

Thank you Mike!! Just got my Tonewood and you went through the effects better than any other video I could find. Plus, I have to admit a big fan of yours and just love your accent. Taking your lessons on Truefire, but it is a slow process. I often just sit and listen to you play 😉 . Perhaps that is why my progress is slow? Nah, just learning too late. Thanks again!!

[@roberthaugen9117]

WOW! Intonation of that guitar is soo clean.

[@garretlarkin8039]

I still listen to your One video 2 or 3 times a week.. it helps me smile in the shit times we live in. Big fan from Kansas. 👍🌻

[@DocRockBaby]

Mike dude you're a savage player anytime I watch your videos it just makes me want to practise more, peace and love to you from Ireland brother man ✌️❤️🇮🇪

[@neildesperandum6114]

What a lovely chap. I’ll check out the ToneWood.

[@rohandisley]

Ok I think I want this for Christmas, plus a little of your crazy skills 😉 mad respect Mike, been a fan for years btw and your music pulled me out of a motivation rut and got me inspured to play and create after a taxing few years!

[@traviscurlutu7723]

This vid has helped me greatly!!

[@masqacordes]

Thanks for the video, greetings from Spain

[@EmilioLanzaMusic]

I got my ToneWooDawes inspired by your videos, Legend!

[@biratdatta]

Would love to use Tonewood Amp in person someday 😌!

[@acoustic_emotion]

Thank you so much Mike 😊 ✌🏻 well needed review 😌🙏🏻

[@trippiebutters]

just found you today and i love you so much bro

[@limeband]

Thank you, that was very interesting and informative. ❤️

[@rebuiltbyusn]

I really liked the first video I saw you do on the effects the Tonewood Amp can allow a player to achieve. So, I purchased one. That was in 2019 for me. This video was also well done and provided much more information I will be using. I was not able to find on the Tonewood Amp web site the videos on the effects that you were trying to steer us to. Nice job.

[@jasong546]

Finally got it recently and I still enjoy my guitar but I am glad I got the tonewood amp, it’s just great.

[@getrealaudio]

Damnit Mike - You're going to make me mend my long-neglected guitar pickup!!

[@KDubs107]

I think you can buy them with a pickup for a little more money

[@CB-68-westcreations]

He's causing me to cut holes in my guitar to put in a new pick up system. Lol

[@peterdunne612]

Love it. Great piece of kit . Peave n Love brother.

[@RobertEMuir]

That is soo super rock man. Absolutely amazing

[@AstroSoundscape]

This looks tooooo cool, definitely on my future wish list.

[@simonhebar]

I use it 🤩🤩 and my Yamaha AC3R sound mindblowed. I bought TWA, because I see you use it some time ago and I decided i most try it 🤩

[@bsbrooks455]

Great video. Bought my first ToneWood about 18 Months ago after seeing one of your other videos and never had a single regret. I told the folks at ToneWood that you were the reason I was making the purchase. They spoke very highly of you. Thanks so much for your inspiration. I have learned quite a bit from watching your videos. I especially like the ones with Tommy Emmanuel as the two of you are my favorite acoustic guitarists. One question, could you post a link to the magical spell to make my fingers grow long like yours so I can make some of those incredible stretches.

[@ixvit]

Thanks Mike - I bought one recently (based off your demos, using your code). While there are great things in it, I find it works well with a piezo, but doesn’t work well for me for an internal mic (using a maton pickup system). I’d love tips if you do use it with your internal mic. I also appreciate they updated the firmware to replace the Overdrive with a far more useful Chorus. It’s a fun gadget that I am using on stage in DI mode for the first time tomorrow night.

[@sylvain6cordes]

love the edit and all the puns

[@dudeplaythat5103]

That thing is cooler than the other side of the pillow. I just ordered one based on your review. BTW, I took my 9 year old daughter to see you and Tommy Emmanuel at the Soiled Dove in Denver. Outstanding show!

[@justinmwhitaker]

I’m going to have to get one of these.

[@okayboomernyc]

You were born to play guitar - so amazng.

[@scubasteve29388]

Theory of a Deadman?! Nice... That takes me back.

[@mikedawesofficial]

Damn good spot! I just remember that riff from an old PS2 game. Can’t remember what though.

[@nero_shadows]

@@mikedawesofficial The game was Indigo Prophecy (in Europe it was dubbed as "Fahrenheit") - one of my favorite games of all time! We now need a full cover of that song, please Mike pleaseee!!

[@arthurbelleville9977]

mike your the man.

[@stevec2392]

Ordered. Thanks for the demo. Used the code to support you extra.

[@mikedawesofficial]

Thanks Steve

[@Califokie12]

Fascinating.

[@Deepphoenix]

Tonewood amp since 2017, changed everything.

[@diatonica]

Loop function will blow your mind and now you can intall it on your guitar.

[@sadie376]

I bought an electric guitar off a guy who had one of these... He showed it off. It was unbelievable! An informative video, but unless you've heard one IRL, you can't really appreciate how the sounds project out of the guitar... Kinda surreal. I'll probably buy one at some point, they're great.

[@pablojara90]

Great stuff Mike! Been using TWA for years and it is definitely inspiring! Would be nice if you could share your settings for the effects you use the most 😉

[@mikedawesofficial]

The Hall setting here and delay setting on ‘Slow Dancing…’ are my most used :)

[@bashermus9975]

I fully agree that the ToneWood amp is a great device. It even makes me sound passable. One remark though, regarding using rechargeable batteries. Most rechargeable batteries are slightly thicker than regular batteries and will get stuck inside the device (I had to get them out using pliers). The ones that Mikes shows briefly in the video work perfectly though.

[@Philrc]

I've never found that and I've used rechargeable AA batteries in all kinds of different devices

[@colinjackson3662]

My only addition that might help people, is it can be a bit painstaking to get the x-brace (the thing that sits inside the guitar body) to sit in the right place for the best contact with the TWA - by that I mean that I had it on a guitar with a fairly curved back and the best contact position was no where near the most resonant place to project the effects, but on flat backs no problem finding the sweetspot! Long winded, but hope it's useful to someone.

[@DocRockBaby]

Thanks for the heads-up dude that's something I didn't think of, it's a very interesting piece of kit 👍😎

[@pinballrobbie]

I had the same problem with a curved back Guitar Luckily I have one with a flat back also.

[@normandodson5079]

So I assume an Ovation would not be a good choice?

[@hilla42]

I searched for a loop-pedal and ended up with a TWA :-) I now sound like I had a lot more talent than I do (ok, not more than I THINK I have...). Hope they will have a loop (and a tuner) integrated with the next generation. Thank you for showing your gear with so much enthusiasm. This thing is so damn nerdy! Do you use it on stage as well? I guess not! Cheers, Lars

[@mikekim1219]

I bought this after I saw your video about Tonewoodamp. Now I just need to learn how to play

[@mattmoo1007]

Great playing as always. Mike, what is the name of that short piece you play at 3:30? It sounds great.

[@bitsiphon]

I wish they would make a bluetooth interface so I could change the setting through the ipad I use to control the mix live. As the room fills I find I have to make some changes to the EQ/notch to get the sound I like.

[@susanscovill6817]

This amp is why we have wet gear dreams. Best review of the Tonewood IMHO. Cheers from Canader eh!

[@InfamouslyCantankerous]

Been needing to buy an acoustic for a while this makes me want one even more. Although I can't play even close to Mike like not even a little bit. I can smack the shit out of a guitar if just doesn't sound good.

[@yungsolopath2603]

I wonder how compatible the tone wood amp is with the acpad device? I imagine it would be an amazing trois.💯%🤘

[@glauciomotta8600]

Congratulations for your job, I love it! What do you reckon Tonewood amp or Hyvibe?

[@CB-68-westcreations]

OK. I've been following your music for a while. If you like this thing , there must be something to it. I'll check one out.

[@lucienlaurent4289]

You are amazing guitar player. Would you make cover of 'the last of the mohicans' especially it would be great when played in your style of playing guitar

[@RoninTWanderer]

best guitarist in the world

[@trippiebutters]

sub and notifications on instantly no cap

[@peterpedersen1641]

Hi Mike... It's Nov 7. Just grabbed front table at the Muzikfest cafe show in Bethlehem.! so see you there! I have been checking out this Tonewood amp... Do you use it onstage too? You can show us on Feb 2nd!! I may have grabbed my Tonewood by then...

[@demofactory]

Hi mike. Thanks for sharing this with us!!!!! I would love to try the TWA, but I have a pacemaker installed in my chest, so I can't have my chest be too close to magnetic sources. I'm new to the pacemaker, so I'm not confident with safety distances between magnetic fields and my p.m.. Is there an alternate system for mounting the TWA without magnets? I can't be near a PA speaker, guitar amp, or stage monitor, so being able to sit in a room playing acoustic guitar with effects would be amazing!!!!! Take care, and stay well friend!!!

[@zoddsonofthor5576]

I kind of prefer the LS-TA but only because I can't be arsed with amps if I did I would have probably gone the toneWood route.

[@GMec78]

Could you demo a tonewood with a looper pedal with no amp please? Their website says it will work but I just don’t see how. Thanks

[@GBgames946]

I've had this unit for many years now, almost since the launch of the unit. Still works to this day, but I have only one major issue with it. Since I started playing with this thing attached to my guitar I cant separate it from my guitar ^^. Its like a leech feeding from my guitar and vice versa. This thing must be stopped

[@user-ec9yl2ze3y]

I have a question. Most fingerstyle players use a mixture of two or more passive pickups (like mike dawes or calum graham), but I wonder how they recognize the two channels and sound out. If you watch the video, most of them use passive magnetic pickups, but I won't use them alone.

[@zorbageekman2761]

My son has been learning classical but really loves fingerstyle guitar and is getting into some percussive guitar too now, as I have put him into people like yourself and Aleksander Misko. He wants to perform a percussive piece at his school at end of year, I am wondering if there is some simple setup to use for his classical guitar to pickup the percussive hits. From some research I have tried doing, it looks like you have multiple pickups and an internal mic to do that? but is there something simpler, or is just even getting a pickup put into the guitar the best option?

[@StarDarkAshes]

I’m sure you get this all the time Mr. Mike. But you probably get people asking you to cover different things all the time like they want to hear you play their favorite song in your unique way. I don’t care I’m going to ask anyways. I am a Grateful Dead fanatic and I would love to hear your take on a Grateful Dead song if you should ever feel so inclined. Thanks so much I love your stuff!

[@kenevans457]

wish there were more suppliers in Canada for them.

[@mile27ultracoach]

fantastic review - you mentioned there was a link to replace the overdrive with a chorus effect as a download - cant see it anywhere

[@hilla42]

If you download the normal software update and install it, there is an option within the installer to get overdriver OR chorus. Cheers, Lars

[@mile27ultracoach]

@@hilla42 thankyou

[@mandofrog]

Very cool unit, and a great review. I'm curious to know if the TWA can actually increase the volume of the guitar. Once you've got the gain calibrated for a particular guitar, can you turn up the volume to be louder than the guitar would normally be in the room?

[@mandofrog]

In other words, if you put a sound meter about, say 10 feet in front, note the sound level difference between the TWA off and at full (25?) volume. What volume setting would give you parity volume?

[@bidyutdatta5042]

5:50 Reverie without a Pick is an Offense 😂.

[@mikedawesofficial]

I don't think I've ever played it with a pick since the music video ha

[@bidyutdatta5042]

@@mikedawesofficial Reverie was the first Guitar composition you played for Acoustic Guitar. Tell me it's not the last?😂

[@dereksmallsuk]

Hey Mike. Would you have any idea what the stock string gauge is for the Sire R7 acoustics? I got one a while back after watching your demos on Andertons KZbin page. I've tried asking Sire and Andertons, but no joy.....

[@traviscurlutu7723]

I have a Seagull with a B band pickup system that has partially failed (lots of hiss and low volume) what do recommend to replace it with that works well with this tonewood amp? My son has one of these and I was really impressed with it.

[@Jaden48108]

I can go with 'wet dream box' that works for me.

[@PeterAgpalasin]

💯💯

[@xipishi]

genius

[@elizafluorine2001]

You have such a profound impact on my carrier that even the biggest thank you text would fall shot to express my gratitude. Thanks for your support ❤️❤️❤️

[@JohnA000]

just wondering it that can be used with a classical guitar or is there a special model for that. also if I already have a pickup system (anthem) can that be used with it. that is a different guitar from my classical.

[@flamecrew9atroblox958]

Mike youre playing both pisses me off and inspired the shit out of me. Thank you dude... I'd love to get one of these, do they work on only acoustic?

[@honestnewsnet]

Gimmick sent back.

[@einarabelc5]

Thanks for the add Mike, I hope they paid you well. I see you missed your physics class.

[@Mars-1995]

Is it easily detachable? I usually have my taylor in the case

[@pacolopez5637]

Its a really very interesting tool, its a cool unit thanks for the review, I have a small doubt... If i want to connect the unit at the p.a, where does it have to be connected?, (i mean, to a jack, or xlr plug), and... Does it needs a d.i box or a hiZ channel?. Thanks Mike.

[@pacolopez5637]

Oh, another question (3 now... 😅). Can the tonewoodamp be connected in a passive magnetic pickup?. Thanks again.

[@mikedawesofficial]

Hey, it has an output that can run straight to a PA or Amp. It can act as a DI box with customisable levels. Passive magnetic will work but turn the gain up 👍

[@pacolopez5637]

Cool!, thanks for the quick response!. 😉

[@jamespagdon2998]

so, by deep dive you meantalking not showing the parameters, i wish you could show the range of some of these.

[@livergen]

I Love My "ToneWood" Iv'e had it now for about 2yrs ,, If you don't have one you are stealing from yourself ,,

[@mikeskeins1981]

is there a pickup used with this box

[@bigmike1015]

Do you need an electric acoustic to plug it in??

[@DrMuseclectic]

Super duper presentation as ever! Great (and informative) introduction to the device. BUT (in a very small voice) you are one of the world’s greatest acoustic guitar players so what advantage, realistically, would a double left thumb player like me get from this amazing device?! (By saying ‘double left thumb’ I don’t mean this as an advantage - I am a rubbish player on the good ol’acoustic!).

[@mikedawesofficial]

Haha well it’s all about inspiration for me. It makes me want to play, and that’s true of any ability I guess!

[@hilla42]

It adds talent to your play just by being plugged in :-)

[@portuguesepossum3165]

Noob question: What is that wooden pad below the neck near the sound hole? I see Gomm use it also. Does it have a name?

[@portuguesepossum3165]

@@j8hnlawler Thanks John!

[@KDubs107]

Anyone tried using one on a round back Ovation?

[@martintaylor1701]

Have you seen the hyvibe guitar? Similar idea - would be interesting to see how it compares.

[@mikedawesofficial]

I know a player who owns it and it sounds cool! Bit annoying that the effect can’t go onto any guitar you already own. Hence the TWA love.

[@martintaylor1701]

@@mikedawesofficial There is a kit, but it's a cutting-holes-in-your-guitar kind of kit, and it's expensive in comparison...

[@MicroRCFiend]

Would this still be viable on a classical?

[@darylabowman]

How would this work on a PRS acoustic that has the back and sides locked up?

[@mikedawesofficial]

Works on any acoustic with a pickup

[@jerryday832]

Where do I place an order ?

[@jerryday832]

where do I place an order ?

[@dennisburke6735]

Top of my Wish List when I can come up with the $300

[@GregoryPantin]

what if you attach it to the back of your head

[@EricdaRED95]

How important is having the rubber (vibrator?) Seated flat? My Taylor 314ce has a mostly flat back but the rubber piece always has a bit of a tilt with one end off the wood. That said I get better fitment with the whole unit perpendicular rather than parallel on the guitar back though the UI isn't as accessible. Any thoughts?

[@hilla42]

I have the same problem. I cklicked the TWA more to the middle of the guitar where it is flat. Cheers, Lars

[@hehted]

Fitting instructions recommend that you use sticky tape to strap the box to the guitar, play through it, and move the box around until you are happy with its output etc. Then you loosen the strings and place the X brace so it will hold the amp where you have decided is the best place.

[@rayyanmobarak40]

Won't be able to listen to Belle Insomnie anymore without expecting a warehouse explosion.

[@mikedawesofficial]

Me neither 😅

[@folkenbluzer]

So I can use the pickup from my acoustic and run into there. But I do not need an acoustic guitar with a pickup in order for this to work?

[@mikedawesofficial]

Yeah it needs to receive signal from a pickup. Any pickup will work but I'd recommend a piezo, or a magnetic soundhole pickup for effects like overdrive. Piezo is best though :)

[@folkenbluzer]

@@mikedawesofficial right on man! Thanks for the advice! Piezo is something I will be looking into. Overdrive sounds cool on the acoustic but I also have lots of electric guitars for stuff like that.

[@Tristan-mv6lc]

Does this work with the k&k pure transducer pickup?

[@mikedawesofficial]

That’s what I use on some guitars. So…yes!

[@bookon999]

I'd really like to have seen what Michael Hedges would have done with this thing...

[@umeyrmuhammad]

I would actually like to buy one but does it work with any non electro-acoustic guitar? I have a Yamaha FG830 Will it work with this guitar?

[@simonhebar]

You need plug in 😉 for accoustic (nonelectric) have you exterial piezzo. One of them: m.banggood.com/buy/acoustic-guitar-pickup-piezo.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw87SHBhBiEiwAukSeUf6Cs6VKMOTjqcdNREQB6mddWG5ANMChMBAiiKds7kGVfdofVEtjFxoCUmgQAvD_BwE Giutar would sound like transacoustic, but you have much more effects. TWA would work on flat or slightly round back.. how much I do not know.. I use TWA on my yamaha AC3R.

[@umeyrmuhammad]

@@simonhebar thanks i’ll check it out

[@rickyius8682]

Will it work on my Ovation