DingGo Acoustic Guitar Top Protector
- reviewed by Todd Stuart Phillips 
Anyone who has ever suffered a scratch or ding in the top of their guitar during string changes, basic maintenance or when the instrument was sitting innocently in a stand will instantly recognize the advantage to owning the new DingGo acoustic guitar top protector. It is an uncomplicated yet ingenious device that belongs in the "Why didn't someone think of this before!" Hall of Fame.
The DingGo hails from England, a land known for its inventors and a heritage of simple comforts and common sense. The device couldn't be simpler to use but its potential benefits in protection and piece of mind are uncountable. Its chief purpose is to protect the top of a fine guitar when it is time to change the strings. This it accomplishes quite well. Its clever design allows it to slip under the strings and into position so that each string may be replaced and new ones brought to pitch without the DingGo getting in the way or dampening the tone. Yet it completely covers the top so there is no chance of scarring the finished wood or dropping pins, picks or tools into the sound hole.
The DingGo consists of a thin, spongy foam rubber pad shaped like a guitar top with two small straps that hold it in place. One simply slides half of the DingGo under the strings, turning it long ways over the soundboard. There is a slit part way up so that the two lower flaps fit around the bridge and come together at the top's center seam, leaving the bridge exposed through a perfectly proportioned hole. Once the DingGo is in place the straps fasten around the back of the neck via Velcro strips.
The pad and straps are constructed from a special fabric originally manufactured to protect antique furniture typically found in the manor houses and chateaux of England and France. Many of these tabletops, bureaux, dressers and the like have lacquer or varnished surfaces that can degrade when stored with most modern packing materials. But the backing on this fabric is an especially soft felt that will not harm finished wood and the top is vulcanized and waterproofed to allow wiping down. It is also heat resistant and was made to withstand the potentially negative effects of falling cutlery, candlesticks or the occasional drunken laird.
The only hard material used is found in two rivets that fasten the straps to the top of the pad. I did find that one of these rivets caught in the strings the first time I tried to put the DingGo on. But now that I know to look for this I have not experienced similar issues.
There is even the addition of a small strip of foam on the bass side, stitched to provide six slots to hold the bridge pins during the changing of the strings. Since the slots have no back one could also slide through loose strings to prevent them from ending up on the floor. There is even a small foam pocket nearby to hold a guitar pick. Overall it is a well thought out invention taking both form and function into serious consideration.
The DingGo is best used when the guitar is sitting face up, like on a luthier's bench or a portable work station such as the Martin Fretrest Guitar Care System. That way the slight angle allows gravity to keep the DingGo in place. When on one's knee in the playing position the DingGo has a tendency to slide down a bit, but nothing that gets in the way of tuning the strings. Still, if I would add anything to the design it might be a removable elastic strap that could attach with Velcro at the lower flaps and wrap around the back of the guitar, further securing the pad. As it is, the DingGo comes off easily but is attractive enough to leave on the instrument whenever it is sitting outside its case. It fits nicely on the guitar when it is on a stand. It may not protect the exposed guitar from major calamites but it certainly will help protect the soundboard from stray ricochets or the odd ding-producing bump. And it is clearly designed to look nice when it is doing its job.
The materials are all top notch and aesthetically pleasing. The pad is of a camel color with an attractive, geometric design. The straps, pin slots and pocket are dark brown which give them the appearance of leather. The fasteners that hold the straps to the DingGo have glassy, tortoise-colored buttons rimmed with brass; a very nice touch, that. To further maintain the appearance of a guitar, a black circle appears right over the sound hole with the stylized DingGo logo, which looks like a wavy musical staff with a Red G Clef over the G in Go.
So go, with all haste and order your DingGo before they all go. I thought it a clever idea when I first laid eyes on it, but now I can't imagine not owning one.
Out of a possible 8 Notes on the T Spoon Scale of Guitaracity I give the DingGo acoustic guitar top protector a dingless 7 Notes.
Did you find Todd's Ding Go Acoustic Guitar Top Protector review helpful?
| |
|
|
|
|
| Reg. Price: | $49.99 |
| Sale Price: | $34.99
|
| Save: | $15.00 |
|
|
|
| |
DingoGo Top Protector
for Martin Acoustic Guitars
|
|
|
|
