The ToneWoodAmp is a revolutionary device that creates different sound enhancement effects, without actually requiring you to plug it into an amp. The working mechanism of ToneWoodAmp is similar to that of the strings in vibrating the guitar and producing sound waves. It generates effects without requiring any connection with an amplifier.
The effects include reverb, delay, echo, overdrive, and tremolo. With a ToneWoodAmp, you are one step away from getting the tunes you have always been looking for! However, just like any other device, the ToneWoodAmp, too, is not free of issues. It may stop working because of a multitude of reasons.
However, this isn’t something that should cause panic. In most cases, you can easily fix your ToneWoodAmp by trying out the following fixes.
Solutions For A ToneWood Amp Not Working
- Restart
If your ToneWoodAmp is not working properly, you should consider running a new power cycle. Essentially, you can just plug it in. All you need to do is to remove the rechargeable batteries from within your ToneWoodAmp and leave it be for a couple of minutes.
Then, simply plug the batteries in and power your ToneWoodAmp again. To turn the ToneWoodAmp off, press the blue button on the side for two seconds. You will notice the unit turning off along with the current battery level as soon as the button is released. Now press the blue button again for one second.
It will lead to the display showing a short startup cycle and it should display the current effect active on the ToneWoodAmp.
- Reset It
Sometimes resetting your amp can also fix the issue and get your device working again. However, the ToneWoodAmp doesn’t really have a factory reset feature, since almost any setting can be reverted quickly to its default settings.
However, what do you do if the firmware gets corrupted? Ideally, the best thing to do would be to use the update utility built into the ToneWoodAmp. First, connect it to your computer, and then execute a USB Reprogram. That should fix the issue.
The update utility runs on its own and will reinstall or update the firmware on your device. Once that’s done, you can then use it again.
- Replace The Batteries
Any issue with the batteries can prevent the ToneWoodAmp from working properly. Therefore, you have to replace them with new ones. You can either use rechargeable batteries or use conventional AA cells. There are three AA batteries required to make the ToneWoodAmp work properly.
The first step is to remove the old batteries, which is preceded by removing the battery door. The battery bay is located near the input jack. Slide it upwards and take it off. Look carefully for the + and – polarity indicators on the door before you insert the batteries. The left side stacks two of the AA batteries.
You will hear a satisfying click once the batteries fall into place. Then, once the batteries are in place, place the battery bay cover, and power on the ToneWoodAmp.
- Properly Position The ToneWoodAmp On The Back Of The Guitar
The place for the ToneWoodAmp on your guitar is at the back of the guitar. It connects with the guitar through a patch cable and can be neatly stored at the back, out of the way of your hands. Take your acoustic guitar and place it on some sturdy and safe surface with its face down.
On one of the suction rails on the back of the ToneWoodAmp, you will find a transparent protective liner. Remove it. The other suction rail will have a yellow label on it. Leave it on for now. Guitars vary on the basis of their body types, so you have to be careful while placing the ToneWoodAmp in the right position.
For example, if your guitar has a slight arch on the back, you need to place the ToneWoodAmp in the flattest position possible. You have to make sure that the device is secured to the guitar. Use double-sided tape to ensure solid contact. Buy the tape that does not leave any residue on your acoustic guitar.
- Replace Your Acoustic Guitar’s Batteries
If you recently got a ToneWoodAmp that worked well for a few days before completely giving up, it’s probable that the issue lies with the batteries in your acoustic guitar. Semi-acoustic guitars have a low-power equalizer and a pickup inside that outputs sound.
There’s also a battery that powers up the whole thing, and over time, these batteries die out. The process generally accelerates when you have a preamp connected. Most people leave their ToneWoodAmp connected to their guitar when it’s not in use.
However, you should know that it’ll continue to draw power from the guitar even when it’s not powered on. The battery will obviously get strained over time since it’s going to be regularly in use. Even TWO officially recommends that you unplug active preamps as long as you don’t disconnect the ¼” plug from the guitar directly.
The best way to solve this problem is to make sure that you unplug the patch cable from the ToneWoodAmp and your guitar when it’s not in use. This usually happens because the amp starts consuming phantom power.
If your acoustic guitar’s batteries are working fine, then you may want to remove any dust or corrosion from the connectors in the guitar. Clean the connectors, and the main sound output port before plugging in it.
- Check the Output Audio Module
If you’ve plugged your ToneWoodAmp into a PA or an amp, you may also want to check whether that’s working fine or not. Most people generally plug their ToneWoodAmp into an external amp or a sound module, and it’s imperative that you check it first.
When checking the amp, try plugging the cable directly from the amp into your guitar, and bypass the ToneWoodAmp first. That’ll help you isolate the issue, and will allow you to determine if the problem is caused by a bad cable, or if the TWA is causing the problem. Once you identify the cause of the problem, you can easily fix it.
This means either switching to another amp, replacing the patch cable, or Furthermore, you should also check whether you haven’t accidentally muted output from the DI menu. Ideally, you should keep it on TWA or DI, or both. Once you’ve run all of these checks, you can then replug the TWA and see if it starts outputting audio.
- Contact Support
It is possible that you might be unable to figure out the problems yourself even after trying all the troubleshooting methods. In that case, you should get in touch with the support department from ToneWoodAmp and ask for their help. They can walk you through a series of reliable fixes.
TWA also has a fantastic community section with a lot of actionable advice and tips that you can follow. If the problem still persists, the best thing to do would be to open a support ticket and have your TWA checked.
If your ToneWoodAmp is still covered under warranty, you may want to consider sending it in for a replacement. They have an excellent warranty program and you could get a replacement right away.
The Display on my TWA is no longer bright making it very difficult to read.
I tried to reset the dim feature to 10 seconds but the initial screen is still very dim
Any suggestions?
Ps – the batteries are fresh
Every effect works except the chorus. Any thoughts? I’m putting fresh batteries in every other day (I play a lot). I’ve had the unit 3 years now and it’s never worked to my knowledge.
When I install the batteries i pushed the blue switch and the twa comes on as faint not bright at all. I have to take the twa into a dark room to read the display screen. I tried to lock the twa and I can read the the screen “Locked”
The I can faintly see it respond to the command “unlocked”
I bought new batteries same thing, faint screen
Batteries: IKEA 23076 NI-MH LADDA AA 2450 RECHARABLE
Here’s a simple problem that drove me a little nuts until I figured it out: if your acoustic guitar is one of those with the electronic tuner in the guitar body, make sure that the tuner is switched OFF when you try to use the Tonewood Amp. (I guess the tuner circuit is shunted off from the main circuit…and activating the tuner interrupts or attentuates the signal that should be going to the Tonewood Amp.)
No power on TWA. Changed batteries and adjusted clips?