The function of a feedback buster is not just to dampen the sound of an acoustic guitar but to prevent the piercing, ringing sound of feedback from interrupting the show and messing with your performance. If you want to play on stage feedback-free, you can get a feedback buster for a classical guitar as well as an acoustic guitar or electro-acoustic guitar.
Acoustic Guitar Feedback Busters
As soon as you amplify them or mike them up, acoustic instruments in general are pretty vulnerable to feedback. Feedback happens when the sound being amplified is picked up and re-amplified on a loop, causing a painfully piercing sound that no one wants to hear. Acoustic guitarists can avoid this issue altogether by using a feedback buster. This neat little
guitar accessory
is also referred to as a soundhole cover or soundhole damper and is an easy way to stop feedback from happening. If you're picking out your first feedback buster, just make sure that the diameter of the model you choose matches the soundhole diameter of your guitar, and if the soundhole of your guitar isn't round, you'll need to find one that matches the shape. Most classical/Spanish guitars and steel-string acoustic guitars will have a round soundhole so will be compatible with most feedback busters. Some feedback busters will also fit a standard acoustic or electro-acoustic bass guitar - just remember to check the size. Tip: If the air in the room where you store your acoustic guitar or bass is a little bit too dry and you're worried about the wood warping over time, then you can get a soundhole damper that also doubles as a humidifier so it can also help keep your instrument healthy.
