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I had seen this kind of product before, but always thought the beads were too bulky, so I opted not to try such a contraption. I came across these newer ones however that have a much smaller profile. In fact, I had ordered these from Amazon along with something else, and they all came together in the same box. The beads and their packaging were hidden in the paper receipt that was in the box, and being so tiny and inconspicuous, I actually did NOT see them being wrapped in the paper receipt! I was pretty disappointed (I've been tired lately with lots of work), so I fired an email to Kent, the company representative from Rosette, and within an hour or two he had already sent me another two sets of beads (I had gotten two sets since I have two guitars). I then finally went through the box contents more carefully few days later, and lo and behold I found the beads that were originally shipped. I immediately contacted Kent to have him halt the shipping, but the two extra sets of beads were already shipped. He kindly said that I keep them for my own purposes, so I figured since I have only two guitars, I would give away the two extra sets once they arrive to me so y'all can try them.
I then FINALLY changed the strings on my Cordoba GK Studio Negra (after about 1.5 years of not changing them) and used the beads instead of the traditional tie-block of the guitar. They were very easy to use and made the bridge area of my guitar look much sleeker. See the attached photo, and I have more photos on DropBox that you can see via the provided link (higher quality images).
If anyone would like to get a free set (black beads, 7 in number, $15 value), please contact me and we'll figure out how to get them to you. However, I ask that you post a review with photos if you get one of the free sets from me (through Kent's generosity and amazing customer support).
Cheers!
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RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to Morante)
quote:
Why pay so much for marketing???
Because these look like diamonds, man. Come on!
I have never seen or tried plastic / steel washers. Do they work just as well? Show us some photos of the appearance of the washers implemented as string ties. Vamos!
RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to rombsix)
hey ramzi, would be great if you would tell us about your experiences with this product. ive seen such a few times from oscar herrero and thought it would be a great thing for guitars 6-hole bridges, but otherwise would probably not be a good idea to add so much weight at a flamenco bridge (even if they weigh under 1 gram per piece, its still some 5 grams plus, which is a lot). did they alter the sound? greetings ben
RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to benros)
Just my experience with these for the topic. ( the current ones are a different brand as i gave the others away, but they all do the same thing ) They solved and fixed the break angle issue/problem on my 86 media luna. [it actually has one now} For this purpose they changed the volume, projection and tone, almost drastically but certainly very noticeable.. to what it may have sounding like back a few decades. i really love this guitar...it now has the right sound amd response.
My Action is about 7mm or so ( or however thick a cigarette is ) to the soundboard at the bridge so the only other option i imagine was filling the holes or some other work. It became a much more expressive and powerful instrument. I suggested these to some friends who had older guitars and they seemed quite surprised with the results. I think for a few dollars they saved a major repair without any risk.
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Posts: 1770
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands
RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to rombsix)
Last week, bought a set diamond secure from Rosette Guitar products. Took a little week to cross the ocean and today I put them on my 1967 Gerundino. Works perfect! Could not play much yet, but it seems pretty louder. Here some "Before and after" pictures. Same guitar, different photo angle. They are very light, firm, and a lot smaller than it looks on the pictures,
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RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to rombsix)
I wasn´t giving much when I saw this thread on beads thingies and wondered why anyone other than with worn out tieblock could be interested. Today, seeing Alval mention effects on break angle, I wondered in how far. In following posts then enlightened by the nice pictures. Realizing how these little things some day could actually be doing good to the bridge of an old Ramirez.
Muchas gracias for the lesson! :O)
PS: Another advantage to the 12-whole invention. As far as I can see now, apart from those making fastening much easier and more elegant, leaving mere 6-whole bridges entirely to practical disadvantage. Looks as if the latter were simply lacking 6 more wholes.
RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to rombsix)
Tieblocks saved my first and now very old classical guitar, which had developed a belly and a high action because of that. After sanding down the saddle, the action was ok but now there was almost no break angle at all over the bridge when tying in the strings. After using tieblocks it can again be played. I thought of drilling new holes in the bridge, but couldn't see how it could be done, as they had to be very close to the deck.
Posts: 1770
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands
RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to pbekkerh)
Is it possible the strings on the right hand feel a bit more tight? As if you play a bit stiffer soundboard? Or you play with higher tension strings? What are your thoughts on this?
RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to rombsix)
I've been using these on one of my guitars (a 90s Sanchis Carpio with a poor break angle) since they came out, I got a free sample from Kent to try out when he launched them. I tried several other products before that do the same thing, but IMO these are the best, they're very neat, feather light and basically do the job. This is my main gigging guitar and they have never given me any problems.
Good reviews for these also over on Delcamp.
I also use his fret marker dots on all my guitars too..
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Posts: 1770
Joined: Jul. 11 2003
From: The Netherlands
RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to Morante)
Your right about that, make sure the ivory little balls are big enough, otherwice you damage your tieblock. Also a strip of bone with 6 holes will do the trick. Also converse a 6 hole tieblock into a 12 hole tieblock.
Just what you prefer, some will prefer this, some will prefere that. Anybody can and may choose as they prefer.
Note: ivory is heavier than bone, bone is twice the weight of plastic.
Posts: 294
Joined: May 3 2017
From: Iraq, living in Germany
RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to rombsix)
Sooo. Today is a cloudy day, so I thought I'd change the strings on my precious (-ssssss) and try out these lil helpers. Thanks a lot ramzi! ♡ First of all, here's my tie block as it is right now. I don't think it will change the break angle, but it will definitely relieve the tie block since it has no bone reinforcement whatsoever. we'll see how it's gonna look.
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Posts: 294
Joined: May 3 2017
From: Iraq, living in Germany
RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to rombsix)
Again, I don't expect the break angle to change, but still for the record: that's my string height. It's quite high (for flamenco standards) but since this is supposed to be a classical guitar the complete setup isn't made for low action, so that's as far as it can get.
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Posts: 294
Joined: May 3 2017
From: Iraq, living in Germany
RE: DiamondSecure Tieblock System (in reply to rombsix)
so, my strings settled and had a good stretch, which is a good sign for how well these beads fixate the strings (especially visible at the 4th string). one thing i've noticed right away: they're frickin tiny !!! i never thought they'd be that small i do think they increase the tension ever so slightly compared to a 12 hole bridge, though I don't think i'll notice. i'll have to check the next weeks. they do make the tie block look very tidy and looking at the way the strings have eaten their way through the wood (they're munching their way through the string hole as well) i think these beads will do good to the longevity of this particular guitar.
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