Tone Traveler: Does it really work?

Have you heard about the Tone Traveler? Maybe you wanted to know what it did?
Today I'm testing it on my Collings D2HA to see what all the hype is about. Stick around to see the test!

[@RandySchartiger]

I reviewed one of these and really believe it has helped every instrument I used it on!

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

I couldn't agree more! Great little product. It is always running on something of mine.

[@jasper_north]

It works for 45minutes. Put your guitar back and the next day guitar back to were it was. Martin said it in the MaurysMusic podcast. Thank me later.

[@drherringbone7305]

Thank you so much for the kind words Jacob! We really appreciate it as a grass roots company.

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

Such a great tool! Have kept it on for a month now and it is even better.

[@jasper_north]

It works for 45minutes. Put your guitar back and the next day guitar back to were it was. Martin said it in the MaurysMusic podcast. Thank me later.

[@dougpoulton3633]

After the tone traveler it sounds a tad brighter, but it’s hard to tell if that might just be the difference in angle to the mic.

[@calvinnapier9977]

I don't have one but this is what I did 23 yrs ago. I bought a brand new Larrivee D10 never been played. When I got it I was greatly disappointed and called the dealer wanting to send it back and he ok'd me to do so. I remembered hearing about the stereo thing. So I put the D10 in a stand and put one speaker in front and one behind up close. I turned the music up loud and left it for about a day. When I got back and played the guitar and it greatly opened up to my suprise. I kept the D10 for 23 yrs until I just traded it for a Bourgeois Touchstone Signature D.

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

What a great story! I have yet to play the Touchstone series, but I have heard great things about them. Wonder how it would sound after one of these?

[@ericprintz6836]

Just bought one and have it running on my Breedlove. Thanks for a great review, noticeable difference for sure!

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

Thank you! I hesitated for so long to get one, but I am glad I finally did.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

How is the Tone Traveler working out for you, Eric?

[@ericprintz6836]

@@rosewoodsteel6656 I originally ran it on the Breedlove Premier Concert (Rosewood with European Spruce top) for a week. Noticeable difference especially in sustain being longer. A bit more low end. My wife a non-player said it sounded "ringier." I put it on for another week, and although not as dramatic, still noticeable improvement in sustain and volume. I currently have my Taylor GS Mini Mahogany hooked up to the machine, so will see. I figure being laminate sides and back and with only the top being solid it may not be as much difference but will see. Also Mahogany is denser so might take longer to see improvement, not sure. All in all: No, it's not going to make your instrument in to a new one, but a definite improvement on what was already a high end guitar, and worth the investment for me.

[@davidbrock6025]

Yes it definitely works I’ve bought 2 gave my son one

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

What a great gift for your son! I have an Eastman that it has been on for a couple of months now. Loving the results I'm getting!

[@jasper_north]

It works for 45minutes. Put your guitar back and the next day guitar back to were it was. Martin said it in the MaurysMusic podcast. Thank me later.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Your Colling's sounded brighter in the "after" sound clips. Perhaps leaving the guitar out for a week changed the humidity level of the wood? By the way, the D2HA sounds great! I was really leaning towards getting one, but it was a little out of my reach. I ended up buying a Boucher SG-51 M, which is an OM made by a small luthier in Québec. I'm very impressed and pleased with it.

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

It is certainly possible. It would have been during the colder winter months so I'm sure it could play a part. I have played a couple of those at the Acoustic Shoppe in Springfield, MO. Great guitars!

[@ratcliffek]

Thanks, nice review! Looking forward to trying this on my new-ish OM-18 Gruhn spec. For your week-long test, did you set it up to play standard tuning on all six the whole time? Or a specific chord? Other?

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

I just did the standard tuning the whole time for my test. I'd love to try individual/paired strings or chords as well!

[@phish1]

Just got one for my blueridge 160 and I’m running it for the first time overnight.

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

You won't be sorry. I had to fight the urge to want to check on it all the time. But it was worth the patience.

[@mebaugh1]

Critical listening testing done with audiophile HIFIMAN ARYA Stealth V3 headphones into MOJO 2 dac/amp. This allows me to hear the extremely accurate before / after comparison. Laptop speakers are garbage for doing this comparison. So is a phone. YES, the Tone Traveler does make a palpable difference. It works. As a live sound engineer for large worship bands featuring acoustic guitars, I would describe the before as- full bodied, slightly boomy in bass region, warm,, full bodied and excellent acoustic sound, but leaning heavily toward bottom end, low frequencies with some muddiness apparent covering over some of the harmonics in mid and high frequencies. In short, great acoustic sound, but not balanced at all. I would describe AFTER as very noticeable better tonal balance across strings. Its about a 50%+ improvement, which is quite huge actually. Boominess of the bottom end is GONE! String balance emerges from the mud into a MUCH BETTER overall balanced tonality. After listening to before / after about 5x, I had to turn down the volume because the volume boost is definitely there. From a critical listening perspective, I am sensing about a 3db volume boost, which is significant. Highly recommended, though a note for Dr. Herringbone -$289 is above mass market appeal. At $199 you would sell 20% more units in a year. Highly recommended.

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

@@mebaugh1 wow! I appreciate the feedback. You definitely were able to convey the difference much better than myself.

[@JedClark]

man - what I noticed in both clips was that I wish I hadn't sold that guitar

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

I can understand. If I ever let this one go, I know I'll feel the same.

[@Christ-is-King-]

It sounds louder and more crisp on the after.

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

I agree!

[@jasper_north]

It works for 45minutes. Put your guitar back and the next day guitar back to were it was. Martin said it in the MaurysMusic podcast. Thank me later.

[@ronniewilcox3976]

They used better wood back then

[@JacobShulerGuitar]

Yeah, I've played a couple newer ones that didn't do it for me.

[@sixgunslingin]

I have had several Collings and santa cruz even have a video of them on my channel. I switched back to Martin's I currently play an HD 28. I listened critically with Bose headphones and through Bose speakers and I honestly think this is snake oil. It did not improve the sound of the guitar. People are always looking for some magic tone button and it is in your fingers. I listened critically and I think it's bullshit. If somebody wants to plunk down hard earned money for this thing so be it.