Tonerite- Experience and perceived results?

Originally Posted by vindibona1

My real question is, if I borrowed the tonerite and used it on the 814 is there a possibility that it will make the sound any worse in any way?

I've read the Tonerite threads in the past and a few people have not liked the sound of their guitars after using it. Most do, others notice no difference. I refuse to use it myself, preferring to enjoy the guitar au natural. In each case I spent weeks or months picking it out for the sound so I already like the guitar and find no point in messing with how it sounds. My best advice is that if you like how the 814 sounds, don't fool with it.

[tomiv9]

I've never heard of it having a negative effect. People either say it improved the sound, or made no change. I have one and thought it made a very slight improvement on both my guitars, but it could just be in my head

[Wade Hampton]

SLG made an important point when he wrote:

Originally Posted by SLG

If you decide to use a Tonerite on your guitar, I would recommend using it with an existing or older set of strings. Don't install a new set of strings for the Tonerite process. The vibration of the unit will deaden your string set. Plan on installing a new set of strings when your done so you can properly evaluate the results.

I agree. The one unarguable effect of ToneRites is that they will about halfway kill a set of strings. The strings don't become godawful, but they're noticeably diminished by the process, whether they're uncoated or coated. It appears to be a matter of metal fatigue, so having a coating on them doesn't help.

Originally Posted by SLG

My experience with the Tonerite has shown an improvement in volume and tone when used with new, solid top guitars. The results were less noticeable on instruments with significant playing time.

I'd also interject is that my own experiences with them have been that some brands of guitars work well with the ToneRite, such as Martins, but others like Larrivée guitars seem totally unaffected by the process.

Which was a drag for me, because one of the guitars I wanted to try opening up with the ToneRite was a Larrivée. But all it did on that guitar was kill the strings.

So the ToneRite seems to work quite well with some brands, but not at all with others.

Hope that makes sense.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Authentic]

Basically the replies you are going to get will be:

1. From people who have tried ToneRite - it works.

2. From people who have not tried ToneRite - "I haven't tried it, but it's [insert negative connotations here]."

[vindibona1]

Thanks for your replies guys.

I know this thread sounds kind of stupid, but (forgive me if I'm repeating myself) but I had a trumpet some years ago and cryogenics were the big new thing back then. It was supposed to "open up" the horn by "relaxing the molecules". I'm sure the cryogenics did something. It played easier for sure. But this trumpet had a little bit of a strident personality and the cryo treatment brought out the natural stridency in the instrument and it became a bit snarly sounding. Metaphorically, imagine a Taylor going through a process and then becoming much brighter yet. Same idea. That's my concern and the reason why I posted this thread in the first place.

After reading the reviews and replies I don't think anything so drastic will happen to my guitar. Hopefully it will help make the sound a bit more transparent because it does sound a bit "tight".

BTW... I can borrow an actual tonerite, but that aquarium water pump sounds like a great idea.... $150 for the Tonerite???? Seriously? I had not idea. I was thinking $30-40.

And Wade.... Thanks for the heads up about deadening strings. I'll make sure I don't change em up until after the process. I appreciate that.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by Authentic

Basically the replies you are going to get will be:

1. From people who have tried ToneRite - it works.

2. From people who have not tried ToneRite - "I haven't tried it, but it's [insert negative connotations here]."

No, actually, if you go slogging through all the many, many ToneRite threads from this and previous years on this forum, you'll find some posts from folks who've tried it and didn't think it had any discernible effect on their guitars.

Not that I necessarily recommend subjecting yourself to sifting through all of those threads. But there have been posts along those lines.


whm

[sutherland]

Remember when guys would direct a speaker playing classical music at their guitar to expose the wood to various frequencies?

[Tico]

Originally Posted by sutherland

Remember when guys would direct a speaker playing classical music at their guitar to expose the wood to various frequencies?

If played at full blast 24 hours a day for one week, recordings of Yoko Ono's singing work well.

After she shuts up ANYTHING else sounds wonderful.

[6L6]

Mine gave no perceivable sonic results. Sold it on.

YMMV

[AndrewG]

Is there anything technically specific about the Tonerite which sets it apart from a cheap vibrating water pump, in order to justify the increased cost? Has anyone tried both? That would be an interesting comparison.
One thing I don't understand; Tonerite make a point of stating that it is the 'sub sonic' vibrations of the device which are responsible for speeding up the 'opening up' process (or whatever), but as a guitar never experiences these frequencies when played normally, but will open up eventually anyway, why is this relevant?
Something else which excites my scepticism about these magical products is the company's titaniumum (sic) 'end pin humidor', (only $199.99 folks reduced, mysteriously(!), from $299.99), which humidifies the guitar 'from the inside' and is thus, apparently, superior...because, as we of course know, that large hole in the top of your guitar makes it impervious to changes in humidity or the effect of a regular $10 soundhole humidifier...

[colins]

PM sent to you.

[lt20dbl]

From everything I have read on this forum over several years, I wouldn't waste my time, let alone the money. One can sense the doubt, even in the words of the most optimistic.

[gfspencer]

I have two Tonerites. I use them on old and new guitars. Both Tonerites are always in use.

[Wolfram]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

Something else which excites my scepticism about these magical products is the company's titaniumum (sic) 'end pin humidor', (only $199.99 folks reduced, mysteriously(!), from $299.99), which humidifies the guitar 'from the inside' and is thus, apparently, superior...because, as we of course know, that large hole in the top of your guitar makes it impervious to changes in humidity or the effect of a regular $10 soundhole humidifier...

...You understand that this is an endpin for a 'cello - the extensible metal prong that supports the weight of the cello on the floor - nothing whatsoever to do with a guitar?

Back to the tonerite, I have not personally used one, though from all the evidence it seems like it does result in a noticeable improvement on some guitars from some manufacturers. The main reason I've not been enticed to use one is that, a bit like with children, I actually enjoy the 'growing up' process with my guitars and don't want them to be immediately presented to me as adults.

Cheers,
David

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by Wolfram Slides

...You understand that this is an endpin for a 'cello - the extensible metal prong that supports the weight of the cello on the floor - nothing whatsoever to do with a guitar?

Back to the tonerite, I have not personally used one, though from all the evidence it seems like it does result in a noticeable improvement on some guitars from some manufacturers. The main reason I've not been enticed to use one is that, a bit like with children, I actually enjoy the 'growing up' process with my guitars and don't want them to be immediately presented to me as adults.

Cheers,
David

Yes, I understand that. A 'Paganini' brand cello humidifier is less than $15 and also humidifies internally. But naturally 'titaniamum' (sic) must be vastly superior in producing water vapour in order to justify its original $300 cost...
Forgive me if I remain a sceptic and continue to be allergic to snake oil and slick advertising copy.