alchemy acoustic labs

These are frequently asked questions regarding the AO1 Process™. If you have a specific question that isn’t answered here, please email us.

Q. Do you change anything structural or cosmetic about the guitar?
A. No. There is no shaving or sanding.  There is no removal or addition of material in any way or modifications to the bracing, saddle or any other part of the instrument. The changes are undetectable to the eye.

Q. Why can’t you explain what the process actually is and how it works?
A. The process is one that Frank Sanns has worked on for some time.  We are in Patent-Applied-For status right now. Upon their issuance, more information will be shared with the public.

Q. Who else besides AAL can provide this process for my guitar?
A. The process uses sophisticated instrumentation and techniques. We are not opposed to the idea of  making the process available to guitar manufacturers in the future.  For right now – we are the only facility that is authorized to perform the process.

Q. I read online someone suggesting that the process involves ammonia fuming or microbes. Is that true?
A. No. There has been quite a lot of speculation from people as to what the process must be. Most of it is is very entertaining but none of it has any firsthand knowledge behind it. Most likely if it were anything as implicitly invasive as chemical fuming or microbes, we would not be able to offer it without some sort of license. It also isn’t shaving, cutting, sanding, pressurizing, shaking, plasticizing or space aliens. It is simply science applied in an extremely specific, controlled, tested, measurable way.

Q. You are making claims of +3db  and more volume gains. That’s more than doubling the output of a guitar. That’s outlandish.
A. No, it’s significant. Every guitar’s results are different. We don’t claim to be able to take a guitar and increase its amplitude by “Xdb”. It WILL get louder, achieve more sustain, have a more balanced sound, and feel easier to play. Those are the areas that we affect. But because every guitar is different, every guitar’s processed results are different and they’re impossible to predict accurately enough to make promises from. On average, we’ve been seeing about +3db increase on the guitars we’ve processed. Recently, we had a guitar that achieved a +6db gain.

Decibels are often used to describe the Power in a system. The decibel is not a linear unit so double the power is not double the number of decibels. Since the decibel is the logarithm of the ratio of one power to another it works out that every 3 db is a doubling of power. Increasing the power of an audio amplifier by 3 decibels increases the power by a factor of two. A 100 watt amplifier is 3 db more powerful than a 50 watt amplifier.

However, that power doubling is not perceived as twice as loud. This is because the human ear does not perceive a doubling of power as a doubling of volume. In this case, as it turns out, the human ear perceives a 10 db gain as “twice” as loud. The difference between total silence and a whisper is +15db. LINK Depending on your baseline measurement – you will experience volume changes much differently. To experience a difference of 3 dB, position yourself 20 feet from a constant volume sound source like a guitar or speaker. Move up to 14.1 feet and that is a 3 db increase in power density but it will be only moderately detectable as far as perceived loudness. Move up to 10 feet from the source and you’re now experiencing a +6db in perceived loudness.

100% of the guitars we have processed have come up in volume. Across the board. Some more than others.
For many players, ANY volume gain is welcome.

Q. Will the process work on a composite material  instrument?
A. No. The process was designed around the natural polymer properties of  wooden instruments.

Q. Will the process work on other stringed instruments like a violin?
A. Yes. The process is specially optimized for each instrument type. It was initially conceived for guitars but came out of research that was carried out on multiple types of stringed instruments. The violins we have processed have improved dramatically.

Q. Will my instrument be subjected to any harsh temperature or humidity changes.
A. No. Your instrument will be kept at controlled, normal ambient environmental conditions during its stay at our labs.

Q. Will it work with nylon string classical guitars?
A. Yes. The classical guitars we have processed have had some of the most dramatic improvements of any instruments that we have recorded thus far.

Q. I have a small crack in my guitar. Can it still get the process?
A. The process is intended for instruments in good structural condition. We would prefer that you have it professionally repaired before sending it to us.

Q. How long does the process take?
A. We will have your guitar for about  3-4 weeks and make every effort to get your instrument back to you quickly.

Q. Is the process permanent or is it lost over time or when I change strings?
A. The process is permanent. Due to the physical nature of the process, your instrument will actually continue to improve for 4-6 weeks after it is returned to you.

Q. Why do you put new strings on the guitar?
A. Many people do not change their strings for extended periods of time and this will adversely affect the sound of any quality instrument. New strings are our way of making sure your instrument sounds the very best when you receive it. After much research, we’ve chosen to offer John Pearse or Elixr medium gauge strings because they give great resonance and in the case of the Elixrs – extended string life. If you prefer another brand or gauge of string, send them along with your instrument and we’ll be happy to put them on for you.

Q. I’ve got some trepidation about sending off my guitar.  Where is it going?  Who will receive it?
A. We have made arrangements with Hollowood Music to receive and send back the guitars through their shipping & receiving facility. Hollowood Music is a 45 year-old Pittsburgh based music store with a  sterling reputation. Your instrument will be professionally repacked, insured and sent back to you via overnight delivery service.

Q. How can I be sure the process will work on my guitar?
A. The process has worked on every single instrument we have applied it to. That’s a 100% success rate across many instruments over a significant time period. Because every instrument is different, we cannot tell you exactly how much your guitar’s sound will improve before we do the process. We do inspect and analyze each instrument that comes to us and we are able to predict some of the areas that the guitar will improve in. The AO1 Process™ will work on any fine wooden stringed instrument but it will not be nearly as effective on low quality tone woods or poorly designed instruments for many reasons. If you own a well-made instrument, we can make it sound nearly priceless.

Feel free to call or email us and ask us about your instrument.