Review of the Tone Gard

[Eric C.]

$75 seems cheap for something I bought 5 years ago, use 20+ hours a week and is still pretty much in "as-new" condition.

[Dave Greenspoon]

I think, like beauty, it's in the eye of the beholder. Someone who paid $1000 to $5000 for their mandolin probably wouldn't bat an eye at paying $70 plus shipping for an external cage that has no moving parts, and looks like it came from the garden center at Wal Mart. Someone who paid $250 or $300 for their instrument (like me) might be more hesitant to shell out nearly a 3rd of the price of their mandolin for something that, by nature, is there simply to take up space.

Clearly there are more of the former camp than there are of the latter. It's supply and demand, and it's all subjective. I have no problem, for example, paying $70 for a guitar pickup.....but that's an electronic device that becomes a part of, and resides within the instrument. I may even eventually buy a tone gard myself......but just for fun, let's look at it a different way:

Who here would pay $70 for a guitar stand/music stand with no legs? (either of which probably has more metal than the TG) Who would see that as a good value?

It depends on which aspect you're looking at... what it is, or what it does?

I also much as said "Value is subjective." In my experience, the TG is an investment in tone and volume (not unlike a pickup is for a cheap guitar) plus provides protection to the back of the instrument, that is absolutely worth it.

[AlanN]

The 'protection for the back of the instrument' argument is, I suppose, valid for some pickers who either wear shirts with sharp buttons or lend out the mandolin to other, less-careful pickers often. There is also 'buckle rash' that can occur, but one would have to either wear the mandolin way down low or hike the trousers way up high for that to happen on the back. I've had my main mandolin for 19 years now, play it most every day, let other pickers try it out on occasion. There is nary a nick on the back. The argument that it enhances tone by keeping the back off the body is clearly valid, for some pickers. I don't use a tone guard.

[Eric Platt]

Back in post #32 I stated that it the Tone Gard didn't seem to help the sound of my The Loar LM-220. Well, am now eating crow. Based on the urging of my wife ended up getting a Tone Guard for that mandolin. It does appear to make a difference. Maybe not as big of one as on my A Jr. but still a difference. My wife thinks the sound is a bit louder and fuller. From the playing position I hear slightly more bass and more "wood".

This purchase was a result of my having a little bit of right shoulder pain. Could be I'm just practicing more, but my wife felt that anything to make the mandolin sit further away from my body might help my mechanics. And I'm not going to argue when it comes to getting a new accessory (or mandolin).

FWIW, both of my mandolins now sport Tone Gards and CA arm rests. Would I have been better off just buying a more expensive instrument to start with than the LM-220? Possibly, but it still would have ended up with the TG, armrest and CA bridge eventually.

[wollewap]

I know you can buy one from Martins Musikkiste: https://www.martinsmusikkiste.eu/ A very nice one man (and wife, I think) company to do business with... (I bought my Weber Yellowstone from him. No toneGard yet, though).

[George R. Lane]

FWIW, both of my mandolins now sport Tone Gards and CA arm rests. Would I have been better off just buying a more expensive instrument to start with than the LM-220? Possibly, but it still would have ended up with the TG, armrest and CA bridge eventually.

Just remember they can go onto your next mandolin(s).

[John Soper]

I am a certified Tone Gard user. I have one on my #1 and #2 mandolins. I was unpacking the car after a trip several months ago... I had used an Eastman case, and had both arms tied up with luggage when I pulled the case out in order to consolidate trips. Somehow, all the latches had sprung opened and when I swung the case out of the car, my Duff F5 flipped out. Fortunately, it landed on the concrete drive with its back side down. Protected by the Tone Gard and the clip-on Snark tuner, it suffered absolutely no damage.

While this test is not recommended, it does emphasize the protective function of the Tone Gard. Lesson learned, I always move the mandolin first, check the latches before I lift a case, and make an extra trip to unload the car! And use a newer Calton case for any trips out of town.

[Billkwando]

Back in post #32 I stated that it the Tone Gard didn't seem to help the sound of my The Loar LM-220. Well, am now eating crow. Based on the urging of my wife ended up getting a Tone Guard for that mandolin. It does appear to make a difference. Maybe not as big of one as on my A Jr. but still a difference. My wife thinks the sound is a bit louder and fuller. From the playing position I hear slightly more bass and more "wood".

This purchase was a result of my having a little bit of right shoulder pain. Could be I'm just practicing more, but my wife felt that anything to make the mandolin sit further away from my body might help my mechanics. And I'm not going to argue when it comes to getting a new accessory (or mandolin).

FWIW, both of my mandolins now sport Tone Gards and CA arm rests. Would I have been better off just buying a more expensive instrument to start with than the LM-220? Possibly, but it still would have ended up with the TG, armrest and CA bridge eventually.

Yeah, I could certainly tell with my The Loar 310 that a TG would make a big difference.

In reference to my previous post, I was simply elaborating on why some folks feel that it's a pricey accessory. There's no question in my mind that it would make any mandolin sound better. I noticed a definite improvement in the bass output when I hold the mando away from my body, and a deeper "woodier" tone, closer to what I was going for when I installed the CA bridge (which actually made the mando brighter, prompting a change to a thicker, more traditional pick).

[MontanaMatt]

I am a certified Tone Gard user. I have one on my #1 and #2 mandolins. I was unpacking the car after a trip several months ago... I had used an Eastman case, and had both arms tied up with luggage when I pulled the case out in order to consolidate trips. Somehow, all the latches had sprung opened and when I swung the case out of the car, my Duff F5 flipped out. Fortunately, it landed on the concrete drive with its back side down. Protected by the Tone Gard and the clip-on Snark tuner, it suffered absolutely no damage.

Why would you have a Duff in an Eastman, that's like an Organic steak on Wonder Bread! Glad it survived!
I check my latches, I have a two year old son that loves my stuff!

Happy Pickin!

[LynnB]

I'm a DIY kind of guy. How high does the wire frame "tone guard " set above the middle of the instrument when it is installed?

[mandroid]

Original ones were mild steel wire welded at the intersections
15mm arch at highest point..

new ones seem lazer cut from steel sheet in one piece..
faster to make in large numbers after greater manufacturing set up investment.

powder coat rather than spray painted is how the look like new for a long time.

[Billy Packard]

They are as essential to the mandolin/mandola as a pick is.

I have one for each instrument!

Billy

[JeffD]

I have two, for each of the mandolins I have with arched backs. It kind of makes sense.

My flatties do not seem to be helped much by the ToneGard. In my experience, there is not much sound coming from the back that my belly is damping. Or at least that is my explanation.