Official Luthiers Forum!

Not too long ago a discussion was brought up about the Tonerite. It seemed to be determined that a simple $7 aquarium pump would perform the same function. Some said they were going to build their own version. Anyway, I had to know if it would work, so I built one.

I tried it on two guitars (obviously not enough to be conclusive), both OM's. One, just strung up for the first time, and the other about 1 yr. old.

On the one strung up for the first time, I played it for about an hour and was pleased with the way it sounded, but could sense that it would open up more. I put the pump on it for 72 hours and played it again without changing the strings. The guitar did open up, in fact it sounded like a guitar that had been played in. The bass seemed stronger and overall tone improved and increased sustain. Pretty much what I would expect when a guitar "opens up".

The second guitar (in the picture) was already played in. I was pleased with the tone of this guitar and would not change it,,,but I had to know if the pump would enhance the tone, or maybe even make it worse. 72 hrs later with the same strings, the change was subtle. It did slightly improve the clarity of the midrange and sustain.

Anyway, I am not the best at putting into words how a guitar sounds, but the pump seemed to improve the quality of the sound. Below are some pics of my pump, I'd be interested in how you built your pump and how you think it performed?


Chuck

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Are the strings being pushed or pulled by the jig there? I don't mean how the unit works, I mean is the jig putting tension on the strings before plugging it in?

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Chansen, right, the tapered and beveled base is built so that it spreads the strings just enough to keep the pump secure.

Chuck

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I was making six of them this afternoon! Gotta take some pics later.

And when your not using it for that you can attach it to the dremel router base when doing your inlays to help keep the dust away helps keep the lines visible

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes

I suggest attaching a dimmer to your aquarium pump. Not all pumps can be regulated smoothly enough by a dimmer but these $1.5 clearance pumps will do. Vibrating at maximum setting would make the guitar louder(especially when it's relatively new), more resonante, and a bit boomier perhaps. After the guitar opens up, use lowest setting for a sweeter and delicate tone.

To clarify, what are we (ie Tonerites) trying to vibrate, the strings or the bridge?

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Dave
Milton, ON

I read through the UMGF thread (long) and the strings are the intended recipient of the vibration but some felt that putting the unit in contact with the bridge was important. It didn't sound like they knew why though except for the fact that the Tonerite was placed at that location.

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Why not just attach something to the top and vibrate that? Leave strings off and clip device at the sound hole. Makes more sense that the tonerite is trying to vibrate the top like picking the strings do. How about the device from an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner? You wouldn't want to vibrate it to much since you might just vibrate some braces off. Back in the day there was those that believed putting a guitar next to a loud speaker and pumping the music help age/break in the instrument faster. I'm sure others have heard of this. There also is a uke maker who has a special case like device machine that has a pick and it automatically strums the uke 10,000 times to get a broke in effect that the guy claims improves his ukes sound. Can't remember the guys name....Mike

It was secured by the strings and supposed to contact with the bridge. It will sound noisier if there's no contact, but there will be less energy transferred into the top.


Hmmm I'm sorry... Those six were sent away today as gifts for guitar players.

I think the whole idea is to vibrate the guitar at tuned up string tension, this would best simulate the actual playing in of the guitar. I was wondering how much noise this makes, one does not want to drive the family crazy.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Fred - we have a ToneRite and I have it running right now in the same room with me. The sound is much like an aquarium pump. I can hear it - but I don't really notice it much.

I'm VERY interested in this thread as I would LOVE to make an aquarium pump version - or get one from one of you who are building them and compare it - if there's a way to actually do this.

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

Fred, like Paul said, it is not loud enough to be noticeable unless you are listening for it.

Paul, I hope you build one, I'd sure like to know how it compares to the real thing.

Chansen, I did not have mine contacting the bridge, just secured by the strings. Probably about 1/16" above bridge.

CWLiu, looks like you must be happy with the performance of your pumps! Glad to hear that someone else thinks they have a positive effect. Do you think it is neccesary to change strings after?

Chuck

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Chuck, the guitarist who borrowed my real ToneRite also didn't have it contacted to the bridge, and he said a set of new strings takes only three days to be worn out. I didn't experience that, tho. Stringrs do get older faster but nowhere near the decay rate of being played seriously a couple of hours a day.

Thanks CWLiu, and everyone else for all the responses.

Chuck

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