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Phiton Resonator

#2
As a matter of fact I did out of sheer curiosity. I've contacted Corrado Faccioni to ask what his philosophy on sound and harmonics really involves because I was somewhat sceptical at first. I have a decent T&G Martin bass with solid hardware on it, but nevertheless couldn't resist trying out. Just the mere endpin screw as it is such a smallish item in the 'signal chain' alone had a clearly audible positive impact. I now have his screw, endpin + bass platform with anti slip which comes in handy on slippery church floors etc. The latter serves as a mini-wooden stage floor so to speak. Away with muting rubber endpin protector stops! The result: my bass is different sounding, louder and with more harmonic content. The instrument behaves differently vibration-wise, even optically I can see a difference. Less rosin needed, strings react better to every bow stroke, pizz notes ring out better with more sustain. So yes, on my bass it really has a considerable impact! It may not be the same on every bass, but I'm a newbie believer.
 
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#3
Interesting! I'd really like to try some of these stuff, but my communication with Corrado seems to have gone cold. we were talking over FB messenger but I havent heard back from him. Maybe he'll come back around, or I'll try to hit him up again. Just out of curiosity, what did your setup for upright end up costing, altogether? thx
 
#5
Frits said:
Yes, hit him up, he'll get back to you. For reference purposes on sound on a gorgeous lefty acoustic bass:
Click to expand...



yes, I originally reached out to him after I saw Yves post about the Phiton on his JD 13 string. So I know it has some effect on electric basses as well, perhaps less than acoustic instruments. I'll reach out again and see if he responds.
 
#8
J.Wolf said:
Hey Corrado! We had talked on Facebook for a while in the spring, I would love to pick that conversation back up again!
Click to expand...
Hi Jake, yes I am obviously interested that my research gets covered correctly.
As already explained,I can send you the necessary parts to improve your instrument and rig.
But as Iam not a big gun business-wise,I need to get paid for my products to be able to continue my developments.
How can we solve this ,at least to me, embarrassing issue and make everyone (especially those from within the Bass-Community) happy?
 
#9
phiTon said:
Hi Jake, yes I am obviously interested that my research gets covered correctly.
As already explained,I can send you the necessary parts to improve your instrument and rig.
But as Iam not a big gun business-wise,I need to get paid for my products to be able to continue my developments.
How can we solve this ,at least to me, embarrassing issue and make everyone (especially those from within the Bass-Community) happy?
Click to expand...

Messaged you on FB, thanks!
 
#11
I have to admit that things like this intrigue me, yet simultaneously arouse a degree of skepticism. I've seen stuff out there recently (for double bass in particular) like a brass rod which you put in your pocket or somewhere on your body, but not even in contact with the bass, and supposedly it enhanced the sound of the instrument. But the proof is (usually) in the pudding, and Chick Corea (RIP) apparently used the PhiTon resonators, as did some of the bassists who worked with him, and from what I heard, they did/do affect the sound. And I like to experiment, so here are my questions so far:

1) What do they cost (ballpark)?

2) Can you use the same resonator for multiple instruments, including double bass, electric bass, acoustic bass guitar, EUB or does each of these instruments need it's own resonator?
 
#12
1) roughly $250 I believe, for the headstock clip. not positive

2) depending on which product, the headstock clip is easily moved from bass to bass. Some of the technology is permanently installed, like the neck bolts, and the straplock buttons (Schaller).
 
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#13
I have a very first series and I use both on electric and acoustic basses. Really hard to believe but the resonators really improves and boost up harmonics, sustain and volume.
I also use it on acoustic guitars with the very same result. The only complain I have to say is that you must be careful when apply and remove from the headstock because it may slightly scratch and scuff it.
Maybe the newsest ones fixed this problem.
However it is an amazing tool and it is worthy 100%!
 
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#14
resonators are like a tuning fork, they only energise with one frequency.They are used in car exhausts to make one sound or note louder. Doing A/B demonstrations with no change to equipment has been shown to improve perception with the second listening even though the two experiences should be identical.
So resonators are not good for music as they modify one note only and increase it's volume disproportionally.
 
#15
Well, Dave Holland, Carlos Santana, Wayne Shorter, Christian McBride, Lionel Loueke and Carlitos Del Puerto seemed to like using it enough to say so. Im guessing it wasnt because it energized one note only.
 
#16
Basic physics, a resonator can only boost one frequency.
The placebo effect, if you intently concentrate on the instrument or Audio equipment, you will perceive a difference on an A/B audition even if nothing has changed. Your mind is focussed on improvement.Keeping fixtures tight on a guitar screw or audio cartridge head shell do improve sound so these fixings may have this technical effect. In the world of audio, if PhiTon resonators made such a big difference to the sound they would be worldwide. There is one Audio shop Broker audio in Spain who sells these. None of the Swiss shops have these which would be easier logistically.
We can agree to differ!
 

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