ToneRite

What is the ToneRite®?

ToneRiteCello

The ToneRite® is the world's premier automatic play-in device for acoustic instruments, such as the guitar, violin, mandolin, viola, cello and double bass.

The play-in process is the scientific phenomenon in which the quality and volume of sound from an acoustic instrument increases with constant stimulation. The ToneRite® efficiently and safely transfers energy into the instrument, which allows the instrument to resonate freely and increase its volume, tone, balance, and playability. The secret behind the ToneRite® is a small high-g vibration that can silently excite the body of an instrument for long periods at a time. Through this process of de-dampening, the instrument can freely resonate as a whole.

The ToneRite® is a convenient portable device that is completely removed before playing. It is not a permanent addition to your instrument.

How does the ToneRite® attach to an instrument?

For the Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass the ToneRite^® attaches directly to the bridge of the instrument. With the safety of your instrument in mind, the ToneRite^® has been designed not to come into contact with any of the varnish. The ToneRite®'s external body is comprised of a soft material that will cause no damage to the bridge of the instrument. Instead, the device will allow for maximum energy transfer. The attachment procedure is shown in the following illustration.

ViolinInstallatioinIllustration

Attachment procedure for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass ToneRite^®

For the guitar and mandolin the ToneRite^® attaches to the strings of the instrument. It is placed to come into contact with the bridge without touching any of the instrument's varnish. Again, the ToneRite^® is completely safe to use for long periods of time.

GuitarInstallationIllustration

Attachment procedure for the Guitar and Mandolin ToneRite^®

How does the ToneRite® work?

In a general sense, the ToneRite^® works by releasing the inherent stress in the instrument by de-dampening. Fine acoustic instruments are crafted from many pieces of wood and material glued and bound together. This system naturally has tension built into it. Over time, the tension natrually gets worse due to entropy. Luckily, by playing the instrument, we naturally relieve some of this tension and our instruments start to resonate more causing increased volume, tone, balance and playability.

Our research and development is based on two questions that govern the play-in process.

First: what energy needs to be transferred to an instrument to successfully played-in? The ToneRite^® uses a specific set of frequencies that we have found to be successful in acoustic instruments. To generate this energy, the ToneRite^® simply needs to be plugged into the wall. There are no buttons or fuss; it's simple.

Second: how can that energy be efficiently transferred, such that the smallest amount off loss occurs via sound and heat? From the ground up, the ToneRite® has been specifically designed with efficiency and safety in mind. The material used is extremely capable of transferring energy and insulating heat. By using proper advanced mechanical engineering, the ToneRite® feet have been designed for maximum efficiency. The result is safe, quiet, and efficient vibrational energy transfer.

How long should the ToneRite be used initially?

Our research shows that at a minimum, the ToneRite^® should be used for at least 72 hours on full power for an initial treatment.

Most users have found that two or three treatments of 72 hours provides the optimal results for attaining their instrument's top potential. After these initial treatments, using the ToneRite^® a few times a week and for about an hour before you play will provide excellent results—as far as maintaining your instrument's tone. The ToneRite^® is completely safe to use whenever you are not playing your instrument. For the best results, many players choose to leave the ToneRite^® on whenever they are not playing their instrument.

How loud is the ToneRite®?

The ToneRite^® is nearly silent. Many of our users are surprised at how quiet the ToneRite^® is. You can easily sit a few feet from your instrument and not hear the ToneRite® at all. Sound and heat, signs of inefficiencies in the system, should be avoided. Naturally, the ToneRite® is significantly more effective than sound producing systems.

What is the Power Control Slider?

The Power Control Slider is used to adjust the intensity of the vibrations created by the ToneRite^®. By adjusting the slider, the intensities and range of the frequencies created by the ToneRite are changed. This is useful for quite a few reasons.

The change in amplitude of the Power Control Slider changes the results of the ToneRite^®. Based on our customer and luthier reviews, the lower settings on the ToneRite® bring out a sweeter tone while the higher powers bring out a more powerful tone.
By lowering the Power Control Slider you can achieve a completely silent play-in solution. Even when the ToneRite^® is at its highest power setting, it is barely audible. If you lower the power control slider, the ToneRite^® becomes completely inaudible.
Different power levels are ideal for different situations. For breaking in a new instrument or an initial treatment with the ToneRite^®, a high power setting for 72-144 hours is desirable. This setting allows the instrument to become very near to completely de-damped. After this period, the lower power settings are very convienient and effective for maintenance. By using these two powers correctly, your instrument can be in its best state and ready to play at a moment's notice.

PowerSwitch

Using the Power Control Slider

Is there a difference between the 'play-in' and 'aging' process in instruments?

Absolutely. One of the biggest misconceptions we run across is that the ToneRite is artificially 'aging' the wood in an instrument. It is not.

The play-in process and the aging process are two distinct processes that both involve their own physical systems. To put this clearly...

The Play-In Process: The Play-In process involves the individual components of an instrument learning to resonate as a whole instead of against one another destructively. This process occurs due to vibrational energy that effectively transfers into the instrument to de-dampen it. The result of this process is added volume, resonance, dynamic range, playability, etc.
The Aging Process: While not very well understood, the hypothesized aging process in acoustic instruments involves the structure and materials of the individual components of an instrument. Whether it is the crystalline structure of wood, the loss of glue material, or anything else—the aging process is separate from the play-in process. Also, aging on its own will not produce a good sounding instrument. An instrument left fallow for a period of time without being played will produce a closed and stiff sounding instrument.

I live outside the U.S.A. and do not use 110V/60Hz power, can I still use the ToneRite®?

Yes. For customers that live outside of the United States, we offer a worldwide power adapter for $15USD. We provide these as a service to our customers. This power transformer converts from 220V/50Hz and includes 5 adaptors that can be used in a variety of countries around the world.

The converter is a Seven Star SS-1650. These are the same model that can be found elsewhere. ToneRite® does not manufacture these, but we do have excellent experience with the power transformers. If you already have an international power converter, the chances are that you can use it without purchasing the adaptor from us. The ToneRite® draws only about three watts of power, so please verify your converter works at this wattage.

To order the power transformer from us, please just select the 'Power Adaptor' option upon your product selection. This process is fairly straightforward, but if you have any issues, please do not hesitate to contact us to help you place your order.