ToneWood Amp Review! - The Magic of Effects Straight From Your Guitar!

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Finally playing the ToneWood Amp! This thing is a ton of fun! Enjoy the demo :)

[@davidornberg]

Playing without it became boring. I have a Levin model 31 and this guitar is tricky 'couse it doesn't have the "treblesoundarea" that a normal guitar have.

[@jingmanalaysay1049]

your thumbnail face looks less fun

[@alexanderhepburn2158]

Hi Darrell nice video

[@LuisLondonG]

Thanks Darrel, great info in your videos. I wonder what kind of microphone you use to record your videos, sounds well balanced in high and low notes.

[@davidzimmerly7354]

Weren't these things like 30 bucks when they 1st came out now they're like 250-300

[@steveeckert8396]

I really wanted to like this thing. In fact, I almost bought it a couple of weeks ago. I thought the sound was horrible. Thanks for the video. You saved me $350

[@nicolamontoro]

Darrell all your videos are informative, entertaining, and just honestly fun to watch. Whether it’s a review or a mod or a build you just have it down on how to present in a fun informative way. It’s like having a best friend that really knows a lot about guitar stuff!

[@SkyFire2112]

Day 358 of waiting for a Flying V review. I’ve set up base camp at 3000 feet, I don’t know how much longer I can last. It’s been 2 weeks since I got separated from Jimmy and Colin. I have to assume they’re dead. The snow hasn’t stopped since then. The lab has probably been snowed under by now. I do not know how I’ll be able to find it... if I ever get there. Each night it feels so close yet so far from my grasp. The wind blows harshly outside. It howls through the mountains as if it was quietly saying “come in man flying Vs are super fun to play”.

[@LuisCastro-rb3mq]

hang in there bud

[@russellzauner]

@@LuisCastro-rb3mq good thing you're not waiting for an acoustic V review then

[@realtruenorth]

@@russellzauner you mean skyfire

[@michaelflagulant]

flying V being the last girl who got away!?!? 😜

[@johnhefter3815]

what are you doing for food?

[@aolsonlenon3685]

I've been using tonewood amp for 4 years now, and really love it in my acoustic guitar. Great review!

[@natejordan513]

Is the tone wood amp worth getting if I have an acoustic with no amp?

[@aolsonlenon3685]

@@natejordan513 definitely it's worth it, it also amazes people how the verb sound comes out of the sound hole of the guitar.

[@Ledbellyjr]

I’m curious how long does the battery last before needing to be changed? /what kind of battery does it use? Thanks!

[@Tristan-mv6lc]

Is it worth putting on a very expensive guitar?

[@aolsonlenon3685]

@@Ledbellyjr it only uses 3 AA Battery. It usually lasts for a month of constant use (2-3hours a day).

[@denismguitar1552]

I’ve had one for a year. I play it in small groups, prayer breakfast, duo’s etc. Really rich. I get a lot of compliments.

[@WilliamRossi-h6i]

Darrel, I really enjoyed your presentation. Thank you brother. Very professional and I really felt like I was right there getting all the info I needed in a perfectly balanced amount of time for each element. If I was looking for someone to demonstrate just about anything, I would want to hire you to do it. 😊

[@donindri]

Good review, but you could have mentioned how you can use apps like midi and sample tank to turn your guitar into virtually any instrument. You can plug your phone or iPad into it and hear your voice/loops/iTunes or whatever coming out of the sound hole. I have had mine for a while and I have 3 guitars with the X brace installed. Lots of fun. Thanks for posting

[@rickfisher3995]

I've had mine for about a year. Taking the time to eq the notch filters is worth it, only have to do it once. After that use the effects sparingly and it has an amazing sound. One caution, the guitar should have a relatively flat back. I can use it on my Taylor, but had to place it quite off center. It's perfect on my Gibson J35.

[@adventureawaits3646]

I bought one in 2019, love it. Easy way to add some tasty fx without an amp.

[@joshfeatherstone8546]

Yamaha has the Transacoustic series which is similar. Difference is it’s built into the guitar and you have three options, chorus, hall, reverb. You can blend the chorus with the verbs. There’s a steel string version and a nylon string version. I have the nylon string version and I’ve made lots of videos with it. Great demo. Subscribed!

[@keef7224]

I tried an earlier version a few years ago for our beach jams. Be aware that outdoors, especially in wind, the effects are greatly diminished. It still gives a little volume boost, but otherwise I wouldn’t recommend it so much for outdoors. Ended up getting a battery-powered Roland Cube instead, and that was the right call for my needs.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Yeah, this is just for FX and not increased volume 👍

[@kevinmccann2294]

Of course it diminishes outdoors. It isn't anything that gives a big powerful volume boost to it's strictly about the effects.

[@RC32Smiths01]

Looks very authentic and clean! Also sounds Heavenly!

[@rickflippin1]

Had mine for a while really works for me

[@lessamuelson]

I've had it for a couple years and it's really nice. the reverb on a nylon string guitar sounds great. I would highly recommend it.

[@billpilling5725]

The Bon Jovi Dead or Alive reference was a nice touch

[@brianb.5661]

Thanks for the review, it looks fun! One of my favorite channels for honest feedback.

[@jasong546]

I’ve been wondering about this and so this is a great explanation of it thanks!

[@chrisphobia]

Wow you're coming in very hot there man, and you've a bit of EQing to do but yeah. Cheers for the vid. I soldered a usb cable to the bat terminals and stuck a little power bank to the back, but you're right, if that power bank goes dead I'm screwed.

[@vazzydazzy]

early gang love you dude, keep up the awesome content, and very relaxing voice :)))

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks Wyatt!

[@Heimerize]

The Tonewood-Amp is revolutionary. So happy I picked one up, but it kinda ruined me. I only want to play acoustic with it!

[@jimmyjames2022]

Hmm, that sweet acoustic reverb reminds me of "Take A Pebble" (ELP).

[@cowboy7x]

I've had this for just over a year. I rarely use it as I'm not all that fond of the sound of the reverb. While you can dial it in MUCH better than Darrell did and it's actually useable, I'm not a fan of the effects decay, (fall off or sound "after taste"). There's too much "dirty resonance" (noisy decay that is too much or doesn't fit) at the end of most of the effects. Doesn't sound natural IMO. I'm hoping against hope that they can do an upgrade to address these issues without having to have a whole new unit that does the job better. While it IS a breakthrough concept, I feel like it's not ready for prime time. Again, it's usable (especially with the upgrade trading chorus for the ridiculous overdrive) but I'm not thrilled with my purchase and would not do it over again unless they DO come up with some more natural sounding reverb and delay. (Delay and chorus is better.) Having said that, many people disagree with me. But I didn't get the feeling that Darrell was bouncing off the wall with joy either.

[@cosmikrelic4815]

yeah, no direct experience but what you say gels with what i got from the video.

[@cosmikrelic4815]

it seems from other comments we are way off the mark. :-)

[@LuisCastro-rb3mq]

Those verbs sounded awefull. Its honestly a good idea though and a good first attempt, I'll be waiting for v.2.

[@marcelfok2561]

I agree with you. I am sure it will improve too.

[@albuck8891]

I'm having the same issue. Not only is it hard to dial out all the feedback but all the reverse dont sound natural. Has a high pitch ring that I cant get rid of.

[@TheVineyardFarmhouse]

I have been watching your channel for sometime now. You have inspired me to start my own. it’s been slow moving but I am enjoying the journey. Thank you very much.

[@klashy47]

That sounded amazing! Thanks for always putting out quality vids Darrell! You're always an encouraging guy bro! God Bless!!

[@colinjackson3662]

Just for info: I've had one of these for a couple of years now and overall it works great, especially for small acoustic gigs or busking. You can deep dive into the set up and fine tune it to different guitars to counter feedback etc. The only thing I found is that you should play fairly gently to get the best out of the effects - my girlfriend hammers the hell out the guitar when she plays and you can only note tails etc when she pauses But overall I found it really fun and useful before Covid!!

[@PeterAcrat]

Thanks Darrell. I've been using one of these since their Kickstarter years ago. 👍 The _Freedom_ and portability of amazing acoustic sounds is such a high for me. 👎 AA Battery life SUCKS ... you might get 3hrs... maybe. Should be swappable 18650 lithium instead. 👎 I _Fully_ get why you didn't bother with the "Overdrive/Distortion" setting.

[@calbrockocat8728]

Looks like a fun add on for small rooms and to make practicing a little more varied. I think it's something est used in moderation to add some ambience. Fun look at the acoustic side of effects.

[@MrWumbologist]

Am I the only one who really didn't care for the Hall and Plate reverb? It sounded very overpowering and muddy to me

[@denismguitar1552]

He had it too high. I don’t play mine like that. You can adjust it to your taste easily. I love it.

[@BlueCollarLogic]

Yeah, I hated it. Just too much unattractive noise accumulating.

[@carlbaumeister3439]

You’re not the only one. I didn’t care for any of the sounds.

[@MrStradia]

@@carlbaumeister3439 Dialed up too high maybe?

[@carlbaumeister3439]

@@MrStradia That’s possible :-)

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you- tone wood vs Lag high vibe smart guitar? Love you replaying and reviews too.

[@kenmasters007]

If you like this, you should check out LAG guitars.... That's gen 2.0 of this tech 😉

[@jeekyboi9564]

Do you have a link or video?

[@keef7224]

LAG’s are a whole lot of guitar for the money!

[@ADaviDTR]

He already did a demo around half a year ago

[@x63]

I have one installed on my semi hollow. It sounds pretty friggin awesome.

[@ADHD_Samurai]

I pre-ordered my Tonewood 2 and can't wait for Jan to get it.

[@kieferrush6818]

That's some slick kit. I now want one. Thanks lol

[@justpassinthru1191]

I really like the Tonewood Amp! It looks and sounds great! Darrell I check every day and I have not received your Strat yet? Could it be lost in the mail? Just let me know cause I'm lookin for it!

[@Open_Eyes_Open_Heart]

I felt like it was still a prototype. Batteries were destroyed fast. The fit on my guitar was never perfect and I was always adjusting it to fit and perform correctly. I returned it. I hope they improve it because the idea is awesome and I think they are close.

[@johnrau2265]

I saw this advertised about a year ago. One of the warnings was that folks with an AICD/CRT (AKA pacemaker) should avoid using the ToneWood Amp. This is strictly due to those powerful magnets. Apparently the risk of reprogramming the box in my chest is not worth the fun of effects and some amplification sans amplifier. I wonder if it could be attached firmly enough to work with "velcro" (no ©/tm violation intended😉). Sounds great. I'm a little envious. 😎

[@loubadabin420]

Blown away how authentic it sounds..... As always, great presentation of the ToneWood.....

[@Fuaarrkk]

Dude that thing is awsome!

[@allyncrabtree1645]

I have one and LOVE it... as a songwriting tool. My only gripes are; the back of my acoustic isn't flat, so the sweet spot was tough to find, and the effects aren't easily switchable for live use. I'd buy a 2.0 if it had footswitch options, and fit contoured back acoustics a bit better. Mine tends to buzz out before getting as sweet and wet as the effects here.

[@robertisrael338]

Ovation? They will be working on this in future releases.

[@allyncrabtree1645]

@@robertisrael338 nothing that curvy. Just a bit of contour and the best spot for my unit is on a tiny bit of a curve, so going too high with the effect intensity can be rough. Nothing unusable.

[@humanbeing2420]

Wow - FINALLY. The world's been on pins and needles waiting for this.

[@danluther1741]

Awesome concept & I'm sure future generations of it will have improvements. I'm just wondering if it get's in the way or slides around while playing??

[@Ujeb08]

cool! You did a great demo Darrell

[@jamesdiehl8690]

That plate sounds like you're in a cave and the Leslie sounds like the early British rock groups.

[@jasonlucas8740]

I love mine. I got it on a prs a50e. Its sounds amazing!

[@austenreid1257]

thanks for the review, very insightful 👍 wonderful as always

[@vanshankguitars]

AA batteries make sense in the fact that it's more difficult to ship units with lithium ion battery packs.

[@Lemmy30294]

I would of loved to hear it not plugged in - for those of us who don’t have an electric acoustic. But a great demo- Thanks 🙏

[@denismguitar1552]

I play mine acoustic in small duo all the time. I love it. Especially when the other guitar is totally dry.

[@Frank_inSA]

? It wasn't plugged in. But of course you need an electric acoustic, you need any sort of pickup otherwise it won't work

[@jiznak2000]

Yikes those resonant frequencies! 😮

[@PeterAcrat]

Thankfully they can be adjusted via Gain/Volume/Output controls in the unit so you can find your sweet spot.

[@HBSuccess]

Sounded awful IMO. Verge of feedback and If you were close miccing live I have no doubt that would be a nightmare. But then you’d plug in via the device (he did not demonstrate but it also sounds awful). Thumbs down for me.

[@DisabilityExams]

Sounds terrible

[@jaypeterson7637]

@@HBSuccess I made it half way through the video and my ears couldn't take any more...😜😬

[@BILLY-px3hw]

sounds like a bunch of ghosts dying.....again. What's wrong with the sound of a regular acoustic anyway?

[@josephbrewer7026]

There seems to be a constant monotone background note with each effect. It overwhelms the melody being played.

[@frankdemariany]

Please please please review Seagull Guitars.

[@mahto54]

Your guitar is beautiful! Great review and demo.

[@lorenrelks4090]

You have to take the paper off on the X brace feet. Yeah, I bought one for my Alvarez and one for the magic Taylor. Oh yeah! Looking forward to busking with these! 🙂

[@joshkroll5001]

Love mine. I'd love it even more though if I could get the damn thing to update and install chorus.....

[@ricandes]

I had no problem updating mine, although it wouldn't up date with my computer so i used my daughters laptop and it worked fine. The chorus effect is great, much better than the distortion it replaces.

[@Frenchmelodymaker]

You should do a guitar tour !

[@roadglide]

Love it. Battery life is pretty quick. Approximately how quick?

[@ricandes]

Mine will run about 8 hours on a good set of batteries.

[@roadglide]

Rick Erickson Thanks Rich. Not too bad. A rechargeable unit while on the guitar stand would be awesome.

[@luckyfamilyman]

I have one of these and I have to say it makes one playing the guitar so much more fun

[@smartmammal9926]

Wait, what about the plug on the guitar? Can you put on a non-electric or does it already have to be an electric?

[@latheofheaven1017]

Your reviews are always well thought out and informative Darrell. In this case, it's helped me make up my mind. I don't want something that howls out an A note over everything I play, so I can save my cash for something else!

[@musicadikto]

I remember I think LAG guitars was the first to introduce this technology in NAMM years ago?

[@JamesJamesMusician]

Thankyou for the great demo 🤗🤗🤗

[@Charles75N]

Thanks for the in depth look at this unit.

[@teknomanning]

I was under the impression it picked up sound vibrations waves, whatever,but plugged in?😢

[@zacharykim295]

Sounds good, but I dont quite understand the point of these gizmos. I'd rather hear those effects coming out of a good pa speaker, rather than from the guitar itself.

[@cowboy7x]

It's not so much for preforming as it is for creativity. You wouldn't be playing "dry" as usual. Pulling this out of your case for some "bedroom" practice is a lot easier than practicing or creating and dragging around a PA in your room or the house.

[@airgliderz]

@@cowboy7x exactly correct.

[@denismguitar1552]

It also has a 1/4 out to go to an amp or direct box.

[@conorgross2216]

3:35 Where the Streets Have no Name? I'm sold.

[@dukeofearl4117]

Try using Sample Tank and MIDI Guitar apps together on your iPad or iPhone to and other instruments while you play. I like the cellos. There KZbin videos on how to set them up. You’ll really like this!!

[@chasingfretsmusic]

Thanks for this, Darrell.

[@mwpv11]

Great piece of equipment. My son Daniel and I did a demonstration for the people at Tonewood during the NAMM show about two years ago. My son Daniel played with Michael Dawes because Michaels partner was sick and couldn't play, so Michael asked if anyone wanted to play his partners parts with him and my son volunteered. He has a great experience and Michael and he became good friends. Nice NAMM story. LOL

[@haroldprice1030]

Being that you said you are using a microphone. Does it really "amplify" the sound or is it exclusively an effects tool? I would had loved that you compared the naked volume without the microphone. Thanks for the Demo.

[@recoilrob4765]

Re: batteries, they could market it with USB rechargeable batteries that can be removed and replaced with regular AA's in an emergency, I have that on a few devices.

[@douglaswarden2584]

Cool....GREAT video.....thank you.....I REALLY appreciate the information from your channel.

[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Thanks DW!

[@Yelliwj]

It seems to give you a background chorus sound like you hear in Jeff Beck's Amazing Grace.

[@copernicus808]

Whoooa that sounds huge!

[@Jasonsg1210]

Do you need a Piezo pickup on the guitar ?

[@lardoparado6931]

I like the whole idea about this amp Is there alternative to it though? Maybe cheaper with just some reverb and more power to the sound without all the effects

[@MikeEehl]

I have one. The main complaint I have is, no foot controllers. Switching patches must be performed by lifting the guitar away from the body and looking at the buttons while navigating through the patches. Not something you can easily do mid song.

[@ahmedmadkour]

Nice my brother 😍

[@shauncarter924]

Good work DB

[@dc258]

Hey Darrell! Great video! Quick question - when you play using the “Hall Reverb” setting, what is the song that you’re playing? It’s hauntingly beautiful - have probably watched it like 100 times! Is it from a piece of music? Thanks so much! Best wishes, Damian

[@glenngardin3561]

Very cool, but how do you put the guitar in a case with it on?

[@tres913]

Just unplug and remove it if your X brace is mounted with the sticky stuff. If not the brace falls when you remove the "amp".

[@sequichie92]

Worked like a dream until 2 weeks after the warranty ran out. Then I lost about an effect a week, only to get an email saying your device is out of warranty. I’d definitely buy another if the warranty was longer than 2 years.

[@Spencie_C]

Great rundown, thanks! Super cool product but for cover song gigs, aside from some light reverb, I feel like I wouldn't use a lot of these effects. Still want it though lol

[@marcokrollmann8340]

Hey...that’ was a variation of Scuttle Buttin on the Room reverb..wasn’t it? :). (love your channel btw.)

[@efgdf]

8:33 you show a connection with a cable, but you don't say anything about that. Where is that cable connected and what is it for?

[@imdaroger]

Plugging it into your guitar. You need a pickup in your guitar for the tonewood amp to work

[@wyfreak1]

you have to have an accoustic electric Right?. also does a transaccoustic guitar also plug into amp

[@aimefabriceofficial]

So, fast I can't miss!

[@philipdoyle7638]

Great video! For a second, I thought you had named one of your settings “Ottawa”, and thought, “Wow, that’s pretty patriotic.”

[@Madchris8828]

😂😂

[@worldwyn]

Me too.

[@helenewebman8182]

there is an auto-wah setting as one of the effects as there is overdrive ;-)

[@elclubdewallace3770]

Does the guitar need to be an electric acoustic guitar o does it work with acoustic guitars?

[@quaidace]

Great video. Quick question: What type of guitar are you using (make and model)?

[@4711Baron]

Is there anything to consider about the built-in pickup system? Volume and piezo on off? Is overdriving possible.

[@unpersonableme1805]

2:35 what is this song?

[@yanicube4806]

Scratch my back - by the fabulous thunderbird's

[@Sportdog1000]

Darrell hoping you can offer me some help I've got a sweet Ibanez acoustic electric from the 80's that plays great except the pickups don't work I had it looked at at a shop. They advised me to put a new set of electronics in it, I know you do mods on some of your guitars. Before I spend a bunch of money on that would this Tonewood work in my case or is there another system you could recomend? Thanks for any advice on this, I know I could buy another electric acoustic but this guitar plays so darn good.

[@JasminaFun]

Does it come with a foot pedal? Great for busking....

[@kennysmoky1976]

No foot pedal

[@randyheath8566]

I like it all except for it eating batteries 🔋's. Great CHANNEL 👍

[@helenewebman8182]

try Tenavolt AA rechargeable batteries, it lasts double the time and charges in two hours. highly recommend

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

For a moment I thought about installing it on my archtop but theb I imagined fishing the xbrace through the f holes

[@bobleonard9358]

Thanks for reviewing this product. Did you unplug the amp from the input jack while not in use?

[@tres913]

It's not like pedals with batteries. The power switch conserves the battery when its off and it also has an option that shuts it off when its set upright if you configure it that way. However, I could be wrong about this, but I think your pickup will continue to drain its battery if it remains plugged in. I always unplug mine if I stop using it for a long time.

[@tball5677]

That thing is so cool it might even make my playing sound good!

[@joshkroll5001]

Also sounds like you have quite a bit of clipping, try turning the master gain down more. (hold both amplitude and effects down to get to master gain level if you haven't gotten that far yet)

[@denismguitar1552]

Thank you!

[@svdk1506]

Do vs an LLTA! I have Yamaha’s transacoustic system in my LLTA and I find it is a bit more subtle and realistic, especially with it dialled back some. While many peoples first instinct is that it is a bit gimmicky, it can add a lot to normal everyday players. My LLTA is an LL16 plus the TA system, so it’s far from lacking just acoustically, and I typically play it turned off. But when you want a bit of extra oomph, it’s amazing. Also when playing plugged in, I can make live adjustments to my own reverb/chorus settings on the fly as it pipes the effects thru the output also. Great for us mortals who don’t have pro audio engineers 😁

[@jamesparker1063]

what's an "LLTA?"

[@svdk1506]

@@jamesparker1063 as I said in the comment, it’s a Yamaha LL16 with their transacoustic technology added. Basically a nice higher end all solid wood guitar, with their version of a tone wood amp built in. Google “Yamaha LLTA” for further info

[@cristiansallai]

Did you have any chance of A/B Testing this against the TA? I am in a bit of a quarell since I want toi get a Yamahha. For first I was very for the LL-TA ... but than I saw the FGX5 (wich sound like top be a better guitar than the LL-TA... and I love the looks of the FGX5- Satin finish). So I have to choose between LL-TA or FGX5 plus the tonewood (since Yamaha does not provide a FGX%-TA version :( )

[@svdk1506]

@@cristiansallai I have moved on from the LLTA since getting an FSX-3! I absolutely love it. Does seem like superior build quality. I like the Fs size more than FG size. It doesn’t sound as good plugged in as the LLTA which puts reverb and chorus on line out though. Sounds much better unplugged though

[@cristiansallai]

@@svdk1506 so. If I understood you correctly, you would say that, if money is no issue than the version FGX5 + tonewood amp would be better than LLTA by itself. (At least you seem to think that even the FS3x is better than LLTA… so FG5X should be even better I guess)

[@plaga9vive344]

So.. where does the end of cable plug into.. my guitar just has a small plastic knob held with a screw..?