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The ToneDexter makes microphone tone possible through pickups in a way we’ve never seen before. The process of creating a WaveMap for each of your instruments is straightforward: one training session and you’re all set!

After you’ve plugged the microphone and pickup in to the ToneDexter and you’ve entered training mode for one of the 11 preset slots, it’s a simple matter of playing your guitar (or mandolin, or violin, or cello, to name a few) for a few minutes. In that time the ToneDexter will analyze the individual signals from the mic and pickup and proceed through nine stages of learning. As it progresses, you’ll first hear a dramatic change for the better! As it gets close to finishing, the changes will become increasingly subtle, but if you have headphones on it’s easier to pick up on them. Throughout this process the ToneDexter identifies the gaps in the pickup’s signal and offsets them with the acoustic color and tone from the microphone. Once you’ve completed the ninth learning stage, you can review the sound of the pickup, microphone, and WaveMap separately to make sure it’s a great fit before saving it to one of 11 presets.

The end result is a WaveMap for that particular instrument, mic, and pickup combination which sounds like it’s just the guitar and mic–but without the hassles which plague a microphone setup. We have a video demonstration in the works to show an in-depth look at the training process, so stay tuned!

Paul: “There are tons of new electronic gadgets on the market for guitars these days, but only a few are really pushing the envelope like Audio Sprockets’ ToneDexter. I immediately got one for myself, and couldn’t be happier!

Get yours here: https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/amplification/preamps-and-di-boxes/audio-sprockets/audio-sprockets-tonedexter.html

Here’s a demonstration and general how-to by fingerstyle virtuoso Doug Young: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH9Qs3FZLYc.

Folks, there’s a hot new item on the market for gigging and traveling musicians. One which eliminates the stress of microphone feedback, sidesteps navigating mic stands, yet offers the kind of tone you can only find with your favorite microphone– in fact, the exact tone of your favorite microphones! This lovely tool analyzes the tonal differences between your chosen microphone and your instrument’s pickup, then creates a WaveMap preset which will replicate the tone of your favorite mic with only the ToneDexter preamp and your instrument’s pickup. No more mic stand clutter, no more feedback woes from a hot microphone!

When you first get your ToneDexter, you do a one-time training session with both a mic and the pickup plugged into ToneDexter. This way, ToneDexter can listen to both signals simultaneously and learn the difference between the two. By playing for about a minute, ToneDexter figures out how to simultaneously correct for the pickup’s deficiencies and restore the missing body tone to the pickup signal, and creates the WaveMap. With a simple press of a button, ToneDexter stores that WaveMap in one of the eleven available preset locations. You can then put the microphone away and enjoy beautiful, lifelike sounds from your guitar, violin, mandolin, or other acoustic instrument.

Impressed? You’re not the only one–we can hardly keep these ToneDexters in stock! You can see our full listing here and snag one for yourself: https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/amplification/preamps-and-di-boxes/audio-sprockets/audio-sprockets-tonedexter.html

Here’s a demonstration and general how-to by fingerstyle virtuoso Doug Young: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH9Qs3FZLYc.

We had a lovely visit with E.J. Henderson just the other day and an incredible 45-style 0 guitar hot off her bench. We couldn’t resist the temptation to snag a few photos (or a few more than a few) while this beauty was in the shop! Its proud new owner will be taking delivery of this 0-45 any day now, and we’d be lying if we weren’t a tiny bit jealous. Especially considering it’s only a few days old, the voice was crisp with great projection.

Adirondack Spruce top, Pink & Paua Abalone Shell

Adirondack Spruce top

Black Walnut back and sides

Black Walnut back and sides

Ebony belly bridge, inlaid wings

Adirondack Spruce top

E.J.’s namesake on the headstock

Adirondack Spruce top, Pink & Paua Abalone Shell

Pink & Paua Abalone Shell

Ebony belly bridge, inlaid wings

Top-of-the-line Waverlies

E.J.’s namesake on the headstock

Adirondack Spruce top, Pink & Paua Abalone Shell

Pink & Paua Abalone Shell

Pink & Paua Abalone Shell

To everyone who’s bid on a charity guitar, everyone who’s gotten the word out to lend a hand, everyone who’s just donated straight to the cause—Dream Guitars thanks you from the bottom of our hearts. We’ve been able to raise thousands of dollars for Puerto Rico hurricane relief, to support hurrican soup kitchens in Houston, Texas, and to help fight the forest fires plaguing California. But the fight is far from over! We want to wrap up 2017 with a strong display of solidarity for these and other causes. This time we’re auctioning three guitars at once! Help us help those in need, and get a great deal on a unique instrument in the process. These auctions are open until 12pm EST December 17th in order to make sure everyone has a chance to bid.

A Brand New Ribbecke Halfling to support the Santa Barbara Acoustic Instrument Celebration (SBAIC) & Celebration Lutherie Education Fund (CLEF) in its efforts to support music education and provide instruments for disadvantaged and disabled youth. This guitar was originally $14,995, but bidding starts at only $8,995. 100% of the net proceeds from this sale are fully tax deductible and will be used entirely for non-profit benefits. https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/brand-new-ribbecke-halfling-indian-rosewood-cedar-1191.html

A 1997 Linda Manzer 12-String for the California Fire Foundation in their unflagging work to support the brave people risking their lives to contain the fires raging in California. This guitar was originally $12,495, but bidding starts at only $8,495. https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/manzer-12-string.html

A 2011 Mario Beauregard OMC to continue to support the United For Puerto Rico Fund providing food, water, and more to an island still struggling to survive. This guitar was originally $9,995, but bidding starts at only $4,995. https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/2011-beauregard-om-african-blackwood-cedar.html

25% of each winning bid will go to the corresponding organization as a tax deductible offering for you. Please email bids to [email protected], and we will keep you informed as to the current bid during the auction. This auction is scheduled to close on 12pm EST, December 17th. Domestic bidders only, thanks.

We don’t often take on new Classical builders, but we’re more than happy to start a relationship with Mendocino-based luthier Steve Porter! Engineering fiercely resonant and dynamic guitars with a technical nod to Gil Carnal’s own techniques, Porter’s builds with “clarity and maximum string efficiency” at the forefront. Our first guitar from Steve is a French Polished beauty in Indian Rosewood and Carpathian Spruce and an elevated fingerboard. We had a few minutes to chat with Steve about his building philosophy, and more. Check out a transcript of that conversation below!

Here’s a link to our just-listed Porter Quantum Classical #36: https://www.dreamguitars.com/shop/2017-porter-classical-indian-rosewood-carpathian-spruce-36.html

Brand New Steve Porter Quantum Classical, Indian Rosewood & Carpathian Spruce

1. Who are some of your favorite guitar players? Have you built instruments for any of them?

Segovia and Steve Hackett. Gabriel Balough. Yes, Gabriel has one of my instruments.

Steve’s mosaic rosette before installation.

2. What builders inspire you today?

I had a table next to Gil Carnal at La Gutarra California about ten years ago and was amazed at the sound of the guitars he had made and was showing. He has been a mentor to me ever since and has inspired me to make the Quantum model guitar I make today. Jeff Elliott and Cyndi Burton have been an inspiration to me–Jeff through his building techniques and Cyndi through her French Polish methods which I use exclusively on my guitars.

3. Please describe your goals in voicing an instrument. How did you first find your voice, and how do you continue to experiment?

I strive for clarity and maximum string efficiency. My goal is to create a guitar with a beautiful silky tone, that has a strong voice in solo concert, as well as in ensemble playing.

Note Steve’s use of Balsa wood and Carbon Fiber to support his braces

4. Where do you think your building style will take you in the next five years?

I will always strive to refine the guitar I am making. I don’t want to rest on my laurels because I believe my craft can always improve.

5. Any interesting facts about your technique or shop arrangement that you’d like to share?

I brace my soundboard with balsa wood and carbon fiber. In my shop I work on a Scandinavian workbench that I built myself. I also have created many of my own machines, jigs, and fixtures for guitar building.

A view of Steve’s solid-kerfed rim assembly.

6. What do you enjoy doing outside of building instruments?

Reading, camping, spending time with my grandkids and walking along the Headlands of the beautiful coast where I live.

7. If you had not become a guitar maker, where do you think life would have led you?

Building fine furniture and cabinets.

 

Lattice-braced top plate after shaping.

8. What music are you listening to right now?

Kurt Rodimer: the Goldberg Variations.

9. If you could choose only one tool to work on guitars, what tool would that be?

A Paracho knife.