Tone-rite on a new Guild

[bluepen]

Hey folks-

I've done a search and found some previous discussions/debates on using a Tone-Rite (the artificial aging device to accelerate the break in period). I'm set to get one of these buggers on loan and intend to try it on my one year old Tacoma D-50BS.

Anyone tried this on an adirondack topped Guild or other guitar? Mine seems really stiff, and I'm interested in seeing what happens.

I do NOT want to open up the "general debate" on these (or similar) devices, which I've seen can be quite heated.

Thanks

 

[jazzmang]

I've used a ToneRite on my new 2010 Guilds, but neither of them have Adirondack spruce, just Sitka and Carpathian tops only.

Regardless, it definitely has affected my guitars for the better, especially the D-55 and F-50R. The GSR F-40 was relatively unaffected, even after several treatments. That guitar sounded broken in, loud, and vibrant from day one.

The D-55 and especially the F-50R were as stiff as a board when I got them. The F-50R went from brittle and tight to open and booming in just 2 72-hour treatments.

 

[cjd-player]

The F-50R went from brittle and tight to open and booming in just 2 72-hour treatments.

Glad that worked for you Jazzman.

There has been some concern over on the Acoustic Guitar Forum that the effects are only temporary. Has the "change" remained the same for you after you stopped the treatment; or do you continue to use the ToneRite on the guitar?

 

[Ian]

Hi Guys,

I dont really know what this stuff is or how it is supposed to work, but my Breedlove was really tight sounding for a startoff (it's the only guitar I've ever bought new). A luthier friend of mine said to leave it out on it's guitar stand in the sun for a few days, playing regularly. After about a week or so it sounded a lot more open and vibrant. I'm guessing that the heat in the sun together with the playing loosens up the bonds between the fibres allowing the top to move and resonate more freely ?

Hey it doesn't cost anything and it worked !! (woops, am I forgeting that you northern hemisphere types are a bit short on the sunshine and heat departments :lol: )

Cheers, Ian

 

[jazzmang]

The F-50R went from brittle and tight to open and booming in just 2 72-hour treatments.

Glad that worked for you Jazzman.

There has been some concern over on the Acoustic Guitar Forum that the effects are only temporary. Has the "change" remained the same for you after you stopped the treatment; or do you continue to use the ToneRite on the guitar?

So far the effects have been long-lasting.

Logically, I would assume that if you went from using the tonerite regularly to not touching the guitar for a long time, the effects would reverse somewhat, but not completely.

Translation: a guitar that remains untouched for a long period of time will definitely stiffen up a bit, regardless of if tonerite was used or not.

 

[onewilyfool]

Look, if it doesn't work, you can always give it to your girlfriend.....

 

[dogberry]

Look, if it doesn't work, you can always give it to your girlfriend.....

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[bluepen]

The D-50 is buzzing in the basement right now. Will report back in a few days.

 

[chazmo]

Hi Guys,

I dont really know what this stuff is or how it is supposed to work, but my Breedlove was really tight sounding for a startoff (it's the only guitar I've ever bought new). A luthier friend of mine said to leave it out on it's guitar stand in the sun for a few days, playing regularly. After about a week or so it sounded a lot more open and vibrant. I'm guessing that the heat in the sun together with the playing loosens up the bonds between the fibres allowing the top to move and resonate more freely ?

Hey it doesn't cost anything and it worked !! (woops, am I forgeting that you northern hemisphere types are a bit short on the sunshine and heat departments :lol: )

Cheers, Ian

Ian, wow... I'm not sure about that advice. I've heard that leaving a guitar in the bright sunshine will dull your finish. Maybe it requires more extensive time than you used. I suppose the humidity in NZ is fine, but heat *and* dryness are definitely a dangerous combination for a solid wood guitar. That said, there are luthiers who are "baking" their soundboards (prior to finishing) these days. Basically the attempt is to crystallize the resins in the wood and basically make an aged guitar out of a new one. Not a bad idea!

Anyway, I'm glad it worked out for you. Breedlove makes some awesome guitars! The built-in bridge doctor is probably very helpful in mitigating potential dryness/warpage issues.

 

[Brad Little]

I used a Tonerite on three guitars, none of them new, but two new to me and seemingly unplayed for a longtime. My Artist Award, which literally looked new when I got it, not even any fret wear and no dings at all, and the D-50 that had very little wear and probably sat for a long time. There was only a minimal difference with the AA, but the D-50 was noticeably better, or at least different. My F-50, played regularly in the 30+ years I've had it, showed no real difference. Since then, the D-50 has opened up even more as it is my main go-to guitar these days. The AA has opened up as well, again from playing. My opinion is that the Tonerite is a neat gadget if you are a gadget freak (I am), and can help somewhat to open up a tight guitar. Is it worth the money? I thought so, but to me it was not a big deal, if you are on a tighter budget than I am, it might be.
Brad

 

[adorshki]

I've heard that leaving a guitar in the bright sunshine will dull your finish. Maybe it requires more extensive time than you used. I suppose the humidity in NZ is fine, but heat *and* dryness are definitely a dangerous combination for a solid wood guitar. That said, there are luthiers who are "baking" their soundboards (prior to finishing) these days. Basically the attempt is to crystallize the resins in the wood and basically make an aged guitar out of a new one.

My D25 has LOTS of sun exposure, like literally probably over 800 hours. It still polishes up nice but has gone very amber in color (which I like). About "baking" soundboards, that reminds of something I read about Stradivarius, that one of his "secrets" was soaking the tops in salt water for years to achieve a similar result: the cellulose tubes would become somewhat "petrified".