ADDAC guitar clamps turn strings into an experimental sound source

ADDAC System has introduced two clamp-on accessories that put the guitar’s strings to work in different ways: the ADDAC006 Rotary Exciter and ADDAC007 Resonator. Rather than simply processing a signal after it leaves the instrument, these devices act on the strings themselves.

Two different routes into sustained textures

The ADDAC006 attaches to the guitar neck. Its brushless motor rotates magnets, creating a changing magnetic field that can excite the strings when the rotation matches their tuning or harmonics. A Speed control changes the motor’s rate. ADDAC specifies a 7,000-rpm motor, 9V DC power and a supplied five-metre extension cable for reaching a pedalboard power source.

The ADDAC007 takes a different approach. A transducer clamps to the headstock and connects to a separate amplifier box. Feed external audio into that box and the transducer transfers vibration into the instrument; the guitar’s pickups capture the strings’ response. ADDAC says tuning and selective string muting affect the resulting harmonics.

The guitar becomes part of the processing path

The Resonator manual shows routing ideas involving a DAW, effects and feedback loops. That makes the distinction useful for experimental players: the Rotary Exciter provides a controllable source of string excitation, while the Resonator lets an incoming sound interact with the strings. These are manufacturer-described possibilities, not our own listening-test results.

Setup matters. ADDAC lists the standard 007 for headstocks up to 20mm thick and a wider 007W version for surfaces up to 45mm. Its instructions warn against overtightening and stress careful level control. Check the current manual and your instrument before choosing a clamp.

Price and further reading

At the time of checking, ADDAC’s product pages list the Rotary Exciter at €120 and the Resonator at €200, excluding VAT. The company posted its announcement on November 10. Those figures are manufacturer list prices, not a promise of local stock or delivered cost.

Want to dig deeper into experimental guitar textures? Read our David Torn guitars and gear guide for related ambient-guitar reading. This is not a claim that Torn uses these ADDAC devices.

Featured image: ADDAC006 Rotary Exciter. Product photographs: ADDAC System / Hummingbird Media, supplied for launch coverage; cropped and resized.