My favourite piece of guitar gear released in 2025 is on sale today – try the ToneWoodAmp2 and transform your acoustic guitar sound into something glorious like I did

(Image credit: Olly Curtis / Future)

Working as a guitar reviews editor, this year has been filled with some very, very good gear to test. But my personal favourite of 2025 isn't a guitar, pedal or an amp – well, it's kind of all those things, actually. After I saw it reduced by $50 here at Sweetwater in the Cyber Monday sales, I honestly want to spread the word to more people about just how good the ToneWoodAmp 2 is for acoustic guitar players. This is a 5/5 piece of kit and it's inspired me to play my acoustic much more this year.

European and UK players can benefit too, because the ToneWoodAmp2 is reduced over at Thomann too.

It generates reverb, delay. tremolo and modulation effects through the guitar's soundhole, without a pedal or amp needed

If you own an acoustic guitar, I think this thing is the most inspiring thing you can ever put on it. I am confident you'll spend more time playing because of how good it sounds – as well as great usability.

The ToneWoodAmp magnetically fixes to the back of your acoustic via bracing fixed inside (it's easy to fit – I did it in minutes) and plugs into your guitar's preamp input. Then the magic starts; it gives you reverb, delay. tremolo and modulation (chorus, flanger, phaser) effects through your guitar's soundhole, with a pedal or amp needed.

The first ToneWoodAmp was good, but the sequel has improved upon it in every conceivable way for me; it's smaller, with a rechargeable internal battery (10 hours life) and now has its own app. But the highlight is still those glorious effects – of which you can run four simultaneously.

I'll be honest, I can be cynical about guitar gear that relies on apps but ToneWoodAmp's proves just how good the combo can be because it unlocks the device's other capabilities as a powerful preamp for live gigs – they've really designed this side of things to give you a great live sound. It's really an incredible piece of kit, and proves its worth at home or the stage. Check out acoustic maestro Mike Dawes above showing what the TonewoodAmp2 can be.

But the best thing is when using the effects you don't need to touch the app if you don't want to – the unit itself offers plenty of controls to shape your sounds. And I would absolutely concur with Mike Dawe's admission that he can't play his acoustic guitar without it now. No wonder he wrote his last album with it!