Tone Magnet

ToneControl

Has anyone seem the Tone magnet?
They had a demo set up at the Haydock guitar show
https://tonemagnet.com/products/preorder-the-tone-magnet
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1582/8715/products/Render_227c1c07-4ef9-4c09-851b-2cbb7e04211f_1024x1024@2x.JPG?v=1492957449

It's for a strat, it attaches itself (temporarily) to the back of the trem block (on the front of the guitar), aims to thicken the sound
I assume this is by adding mass?

I could hear a difference, the demo strat had 3 springs, and the trem springs were not set as tight as I would have them
I think the cost could be an obstacle, but I have no idea how much they cost to make

TheMarlin

A powerful magnet so close to the pickups can't be a good thing

olafgarten

TheMarlin said:

A powerful magnet so close to the pickups can't be a good thing

This will probably degauss the magnets in your pickups. 

I also can't see how it would reduce string tension. 

Also if the trem is magnetic, wouldn't this make it harder to use? 

RandallFlagg

Inventing things for the sake of it? A TC Spark Boost Mini is £40 and can thicken the tone of a Strat.

Sporky

olafgarten said:

TheMarlin said:

A powerful magnet so close to the pickups can't be a good thing

This will probably degauss the magnets in your pickups.

Probably not - it's a fair way away from them.

Though if it affects string tension it'll put the guitar out of tune.

Gassage

Also,  anyone who wants to dramatically thicken up a Strat tone isn't getting what Strats are about.

It's rather like saying a Twin Reverb needs a high gain channel.

equalsql

Gassage said:

Also,  anyone who wants to dramatically thicken up a Strat tone isn't getting what Strats are about.

It's rather like saying a Twin Reverb needs a high gain channel.

But of course a Twin Reverb needs a high gain channel. I don't know.. tut.. these amateurs eh!

Corvus

Pretty funny stuff. Trying to be restrained here.
If it's so great why not show us on the demo. I shall be investing my Primary Tone cash elsewhere.

OilCityPickups

TheMarlin said:

A powerful magnet so close to the pickups can't be a good thing

I use neodymium magnets to strip the charge out of alnico for re-gaussing and polarity change. It has a marginal effect on ceramic magnets, but alnico can be seriously screwed up by the proximity of neos. Personally I wouldn't get a neo with any significant mass within inches of my pickups ... not worth the risk. You can weaken mags and simply notice a tone shift or lack of output. True most of the time you can get someone like me to re magnetise your pickups in the correct orientation, but it is less easy with alnico 5 than other alnicos, and it costs money!
In the Oil City workshop our huge 'charging neos' have their own area, and no healthy pickups are allowed within feet of them.  

Funkfingers

ToneMagnet.com said:
"causing a subtle but unmistakable tonal improvement."

Sounds like a job for a high mass sustain block.

TheMarlin

Funkfingers said:

ToneMagnet.com said:
"causing a subtle but unmistakable tonal improvement."

Sounds like a job for a high mass sustain block.

It would be a wiser choice. 

usedtobe

I'm dubious.

Sassafras

FFS!
If you want a thicker, more compressed, muddy and inferior sound don't get a Strat.
Why are people always trying to change what is an excellent sounding guitar?
Grrrrrr, it makes me so mad!

Sassafras

It's all so unnecessary anyway. When I want to add mass to my Strat to increase sustain, thickness and "tone", I use 4 of these clamped unobtrusively to the body and neck.

 

guitars4you

Who remembers the Fathead - from the USA a 'resonant brass plate' that fitted under your tuners, to add mass and more 'sustain' - designed by Aspen Pittman of Groove Tubes fame - similar idea to a degree - So who tried one

richardhomer

I heard the demo - it certainly added a (subtle) low-end lift. Whether it sounded 'better' is debatable - it unquestably sounded 'different'.

There is of course a very significant issue with it - its bloody ugly....

WezV

guitars4you said:

Who remembers the Fathead - from the USA a 'resonant brass plate' that fitted under your tuners, to add mass and more 'sustain' - designed by Aspen Pittman of Groove Tubes fame - similar idea to a degree - So who tried one

it can change the resonant frequency of the neck.   Potentially useful if you had dead spots.

But you can test the idea really easily and make up your own mind

like this

Sassafras said:

It's all so unnecessary anyway. When I want to add mass to my Strat to increase sustain, thickness and "tone", I use 4 of these clamped unobtrusively to the body and neck.

 

darthed1981

ToneControl said:

Has anyone seem the Tone magnet?
They had a demo set up at the Haydock guitar show
https://tonemagnet.com/products/preorder-the-tone-magnet
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1582/8715/products/Render_227c1c07-4ef9-4c09-851b-2cbb7e04211f_1024x1024@2x.JPG?v=1492957449

It's for a strat, it attaches itself (temporarily) to the back of the trem block (on the front of the guitar), aims to thicken the sound
I assume this is by adding mass?

I could hear a difference, the demo strat had 3 springs, and the trem springs were not set as tight as I would have them
I think the cost could be an obstacle, but I have no idea how much they cost to make

But can I dissolve it in my coffee like the other sugar pills they give me??!!

OilCityPickups

Lock and block the trem ... similar tonal shift ... 
If the magnets are strong enough to allow you to use the trem vigorously ... to my mind they are too strong to be allowed near me pickups. 

OilCityPickups

A quick and dirty test ... adding the mass of a couple of neos behind the bridge ... yep ... it changes the sound a bit. Cost ... around four quid ... 

ToneControl

TheGuitarWeasel said:

A quick and dirty test ... adding the mass of a couple of neos behind the bridge ... yep ... it changes the sound a bit. Cost ... around four quid ... 

can you clamp the same weight on the bridge to compare?

I'm wondering if it changes the shape of the magnetic fields around the coils???