The TonewoodAmp is a portable, battery-powered acoustic guitar effect processor and amplifier manufactured by Tonewood, an Israeli audio technology company. Designed to be temporarily mounted on the back of an acoustic guitar using a suction cup system, the device uses the guitar's soundboard as a speaker to project effects and amplify the instrument's natural sound without requiring an external amplifier or PA system.
Technology and Operation The unit employs a proprietary transducer (termed an "exciter" or "actuator") that vibrates the guitar's back panel, turning the instrument's body into a resonant speaker cabinet. It processes the signal from the guitar's piezo or magnetic pickup, applies digital signal processing (DSP), and drives the transducer to create sound pressure waves inside and radiating from the guitar body.
Features Standard features across product generations typically include:
- Effects Processing: Reverb (Hall, Plate, Room), Delay, Chorus, Overdrive, and Auto-Wah.
- Looping: A built-in looper with varying recording time depending on the model.
- Connectivity: 1/4" input for guitar pickup, 1/4" output for line-level signal to PA or recorder, AUX input for backing tracks, and headphone output for silent practice.
- Power: Internal rechargeable lithium-ion battery (USB-C charging on newer models) or AA batteries on the original model.
- Mounting: A proprietary magnetic mounting system (X-Brace) or suction cups allowing tool-free attachment and removal without permanent modification to the instrument.
Product Lineage
- TonewoodAmp (Original/Gen 1): Released circa 2016 via crowdfunding. Utilized 3 x AA batteries. Featured a monochrome LCD screen and physical knob interface.
- TonewoodAmp 2 (Gen 2): Released circa 2023. Introduced internal rechargeable battery, USB-C charging and data transfer, Bluetooth connectivity for app control and firmware updates, a color TFT display, increased DSP power, and expanded effect parameters.
Intended Use Cases The device is marketed primarily toward acoustic guitarists seeking:
- Amplified practice with effects in non-amplified settings (e.g., living room, outdoors).
- Busking or street performance without carrying an amplifier.
- Stage monitoring via the guitar body itself, reducing reliance on floor wedges.
- Recording direct signals with "amp-in-the-room" style reverb/ambience baked in.
Reception Reviews from music technology publications (such as Guitar World, Premier Guitar, Sound on Sound) have generally praised the novelty and effectiveness of the "guitar-as-speaker" concept for practice and intimate performance, while noting limitations in maximum volume output compared to dedicated acoustic amplifiers and a learning curve regarding placement and feedback management at higher gain settings.
