Thank you all for your thoughts and comments!
Tobin, JeffD, JFDilmando, & AMM: The ToneGard did not make a noticeable difference whatsoever in our experiment as far as the mandolin's tonal qualities were concerned. We didn't worry about the ToneGard staying on because, as Flatrock pointed out, it only prevents the lessening of volume/body to the tone and does NOT amplify the volume/body in any way. For my part, when I played the three mandolins I made certain to keep them away from my body so as to hear their truest qualities as much as possible and to stay in keeping with what the TGard was doing for the Collings.
KTB and Jeff D: The thinner frets did not produce a "weak" tone in the slightest; the Gibson had a power and a voice that was all its own. However, the thin frets did cause the notes to sound more "lean" in strength rather than "beefy" or "robust" in strength like the other two. In my opinion, those were the differences my ears were noticing. I know a recording would have helped explain this better than mere words, but we did not have access to recording equipment at the time.
Tobin: Regarding the range response of the Ellis, there was NO doubt in any of our minds that the Ellis had absolutely killer bass; it unmistakably "boomed" beyond the other two. Don't forget that the Ellis had not been played up to that point as much or as long as the Gibson or Collings. The Ellis may yet produce comparable mid-range and treble because Hallmark and I put it through its paces to wake it up which it definitely began doing during our experiment. Perhaps you are not familiar with a bass-heavy Ellis because you have not had anything to compare it to. Thank you for your Ellis-owner thoughts and personal experience. It is very helpful regarding our topic here.
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