Build Your Own Clone Message Board

So many of you may know about this gadget - a vibrator for guitar My younger brother loaned me his, and I've put it on to cook my new J12-GT16 Martin 12 string. Tonight will be 72 hours, the minimum recommended, and I am anxious to hear the difference, if any.

The device mounts on the strings next to the bridge and has a variable control for the amount of vibration. It is supposed simulate play-in, but in accelerated fashion. I've heard mostly good things about it, but some say it's fake juju. I will try it on my mid-70's D-28 next, and then on my custom seven string. Should give me a good idea of it's effect...I'll report back periodically.

I read about this. It's an interesting idea.

Maybe like speaker break-in for a guitar concept wise?

Something like that. The idea is that the longer you play a guitar, the more it opens up and develops its tone. This device claims to accelerate that process. We'll see!

There is no doubt, I think, that as a guitar ages it sort of gets a "flavor" to it. But, I was thinking a lot of that is the wood itself aging as part of the total tonal equation. I guess the argument is whether this device can mimic that or at least part it. Interesting nonetheless.

Thanks John - I was going to say exactly this but really hadn't figured out how to put it to words. Well said!

Yep, I agree that wood aging certainly lends a lot of character to the tone of the guitar. But do does playing it a lot. I've played vintage guitars from the 30s - one essentially unplayed and the other gigged continuously. Guess which one sounded WAY better? The playing in effect is real, the question is can tone rite accelerate this?

So what were the results?

I'm considering buying one of these for my dad as a fathers day gift. He is in the process of building a dreadnought kit right now so thought this might be useful to loosen it up once it is finished.

Well, the results after 72 hours (roughly) were really very good. The twelve string now is slightly louder, has a very even frequency response and a sweetness that wasn't previously there. It is somehow a little easier to play as well.

Are these changes extreme? No, I would say they are noticeable but subtle. Right now I have my 70's D-28 cooking. I will report back on that one too.

Worth it? An unqualified yes so far.

Read up on "vibratory stress relief" if you want to get some info on where this technology likely came from. Seems legit to me provided it's done properly, which is a big "if" going by the few conversations I've had with guys who have worked with it. Something tells me the devil is in the details on this one.