Violinman - Acoustic Enhancer for Guitar

Comments ..

" .. I didn't think I'd be in a position to 'review' the enhancer so soon, but its effect is surprisingly clear and in the case of the four lovely acoustics Russ Wootton has made for me, very positive indeed.

They are all significantly more responsive, particularly in the lower midrange after only a few hours with the enhancer at setting 3.

I am now moving on to my other acoustics to see what the results are like before borrowing a couple of old Gibson mandolins to see what happens there! .."

" .. I put the 'Enhancer' on my Picado classical, which was finished in July, for three days. I must say both the Sobell and Picado are the same beasts, but are more open, with more sustain and more resonance, basically more oomph!!

This is the best gadget you could buy - I could not put my Sobell down yesterday evening and found I was falling in love with it again (even though we never fell out). As most of us are striving for that ultimate guitar and acoustic sound, this Enhancer could help you on your way."

Unsolicited comment from the Acoustic Magazine forum - thanks to editor Ben Cooper.

Acoustic Enhancer Mk2 for Guitar

The Mk2 version is more powerful than the Mk1, runs at lower frequency and produces less noise.

The Enhancer has a detachable base so it will work on violins, violas, cellos and double basses by simply adding the appropriate base.

It's based on the same principle as the Mk1 of gentle vibration to develop resonance in a new, budget or rested acoustic or folk guitar. It works particularly well where the wood used is not of great merit. It won't help with electric guitars which do not rely on the resonance of the wood in the production of tone.

If you regularly play your guitars the Acoustic Enhancer may not be of much interest, but otherwise it will help. It does not age or mature the wood, but it does improve the acoustic response. I have noticed a marked increase in the harmonic content of the open strings in violins and in guitars. They are much more readily excited sympathetically by stopped notes.

Just as the human body or a car engine benefits from exercise, so does a stringed instrument.

The theory behind the Acoustic Enhancer is gentle vibration through the bridge for 3-7 days (or longer).

Background

I first read about this vibration theory in A Treatise on the Structure and Preservation of the Violin by Jacob Augustus Otto 1848 (published by William Reeves, London) where he writes about having bought a well-used but very ordinary violin …

which, although every judge knew it to be a trade instrument, was not inferior in tone to an Italian one … This led me to imagine that constant vibration shakes the resinous particles out of the wood, whereby rendering it more porous and better adapted for producing a good tone, than it otherwise is.

There are two connected units. The power unit plugs in to the mains (90-230v 50/60Hz) and produces a selectable and safe DC voltage of between 3 and 12 (<300mA). The other unit – the vibration head - has a special pad on the base which grips the strings near the bridge.. The unit is secured by a Velcro strap under the bridge and over the unit.

To allow the guitar to vibrate as freely as possible, it’s best not left in its case. Laying the guitar on a hard surface is ideal. With the Enhancer secured by a strap it is also possible to suspend the guitar by the scroll (vertically) so it is completely free to vibrate. The instrument should be strung, tuned and therefore under normal playing tension.

Results of measurements on violins can be read in this file

Operation

Sit the vibration head to the bridge with the connecting lead on the 6th string side. Place the loose pad beneath the strings and secure with the strap. Set the voltage by the slider on the front of the power unit (or the yellow dial on the inside, depending on the power unit) to minimum and plug in to the mains. Increase the voltage until you feel vibration throughout the instrument. Settings between 4.5 and 7.5 seem to work well. If the vibration sounds raucous, back off until a steady hum is resumed. The settings will differ between instruments and even on the same instrument may change over a period of time. The unit is quite safe up to the maximum setting but is working most efficiently before it starts to sound lumpy. If you hear an unusual vibration check that the lead connecting the two units is not touching the body of the instrument.

Just as a car battery will discharge if not used, the violin will revert to its previous state unless it’s played or exercised occasionally by the VAE.

If you have a number of instruments, the Acoustic Enhancer could be used on them in rotation. Play the instrument after 3 days and again after 7 days and note any changes.

Ordering information

Order by e-mail or post.
Payment via
a) Credit/Debit card (see below). PayPal account NOT required. Prices include Air Mail outside UK.
b) PayPal to david@violinman.co.uk.
c) sterling cheque payable to David Andrews and posted to the address on the Contact page.
d) BACS transfer to Sort Code 07-01-16 Account 40552891 with your name as reference (otherwise I won't know where the money has come from!)
Outside UK you will need a mains adapter to convert the UK three pin power supply (90-230v 50/60Hz) to your system.

Feedback

I am always pleased to know how the unit performs. Reports so far have been very encouraging with much tonal improvement noted.

Please e-mail your findings, for example:

What tonal changes have you noticed?
Is it easy to use?
How long did you use it for?
If the instrument 'reverted', how long before it did so?
Any improvements you can suggest.

The Acoustic Enhancer for Guitar needs the vibrator and base.

Bases for bowed strings are available here.

Pricing	Within UK, including 1st Class post	Outside UK, including Air Mail Small Packet from 3 days
Vibrator	£50.00	£58.00
Base for Acoustic Guitar	£20.00	£25.00