Has anyone had any experience with the Tonewood Amp? When playing in a gig say in a nursing home with the band, the banjo and mandolin rule. The instruments aren’t mic’s. I tried a small amp, mic and a speaker, but was a lot of equipment to handle. Was thinking of the Tonewood Amp since it was standalone. I’m not necessarily looking for the very best one, but when mixed with other instruments, want to be heard.
I have a D60 Dobro.
Thanks in advance.
I just looked it up, doesn?t look like it increases volume, just add effects.
Does ToneWoodAmp increase volume?
Remember that the ToneWoodAmp adds effects to your guitar, not just more volume. If the fit or sound isn't quite right, try adjusting the ToneWoodAmp a little closer to the bottom of the guitar rather than the center. Once attached you'll be able to plug in and set levels for the first time.Sep 23, 2022
Getting Started wtih the ToneWoodAmp Solo for Electro ...
If I’m not mistaken Jerry D did a YouTube video on one these amps your talking about.
Also, from what I can remember about them. They do increase the the volume of your Reso. But I don’t think it would be enough for live playing with other instruments.
Here is a link to the short video Jerry did a number of years ago and I'm guessing from his comments at the end Tonewood probably sent him one - but I have a feeling it likely never made it out of the studio/man cave above his garage he refers to as the Squirrel Nest. He has said over the years he is often a "guinea pig" for new gear, but I would imagine there are a lot of items either sitting in boxes that don't get used and other stuff he gives away.
By coincidence a week ago buddy and I went to the traveling Amigos Guitar Show in Marin County - a lot of overpriced guitars - and he was telling me his Tonewood he uses for his flattop has stopped working and he was having a difficult time getting assistance from the company, for whatever that's worth.
Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 01/23/2023 18:14:39
It can add volume and sustain, but not a lot. Just enough to let you stound out against other acoustics. It can also add some nice reverb.
Here is the video I made about using a Tonewood with a dobro youtube.com/watch?v=OuG2N-lnBw...athanZiac
It is fun. I got mine used. I mostly picture using it for campfire jamming. The Tonewood is not very small and has some weight to it.. 2-3 pounds? I think that you could get one of those tiny clip on mics (thus eliminating the tneed for a stand) that sound great. I'm sorry I don't remember what they are called. These days there are very small lightweight amps/ speakers that sound great that folks use to amplify the music from their phones. Maybe those small mics are now bluetooth compatible? I would bet so. Good luck. Now I have a fun research project for today.
Edited by - lakeview on 01/24/2023 04:49:04
You may be thinking of the Myers pickup. I have one along with a tiny Orange amp that I used occasionally. I only used it with the Orange amp a couple times. What I like about the Myers is that it can be used on other instruments.
Edited by - Dobrojan on 01/24/2023 09:37:19
I understand where Jim is coming from in the original post, who wants to lug stuff around?
From the school of "necessity is the mother of invention" when I started playing dobro around 1976-77, a guy I knew who played guitar in a bluegrass band turned me on to a big monthly jam held at a middle school in San Jose. Dobro trivia: a young Rob Ickes would later occasionally attend this jam.
I started out like everyone else by playing sitting down. This jam was one of those with multiple circles of players in the cafeteria or outdoors in the quad. I would lug around a folding chair when joining different circles. After three or four months of this I decided it was time to get a strap like I had seen on the back covers of albums or the occasional magazine with the likes of Oswald, Uncle Josh, and Mike Auldridge playing standing. Lugging a chair around was getting to be a pain in the a$$. So I bought a skinny strap like you would see Oswald using (a far cry from our Bobby Poff straps!). I eventually got comfortable with playing standing.
If my reso lacked the volume to hang in there at this particular jam these days and I had to haul around a small amp, with a clip-on mic, etc. to join in the different circles - I wouldn't bother to attend.
We have all been around banjo players lacking a sense of dynamics. It makes for a tough gig unplugged.
If budget allows Jim, I would seriously consider a large body modern reso that can hold its own in volume against other instruments. I have played plenty of OMI Dobros and they're all over the map in terms of volume projection. Some have had good volume and others have been kind of weak.
I once had an OMI D60. It benefited significantly from a cone upgrade.
I'd suggest a Beard Legend cone. Should be a pretty easy installation if you're at all handy with tools.
You might also have a chat with the banjo and mandolin player about dynamics and the value of listening to one another.
I feel your pain. We've all been there.
Kelly
