View Full Version : Tone Gard
SGraham
Dec-27-2005, 5:33pm
I got a tone gard from my mother-in-law for Christmas to put on my Eastman 615. I of course ran to get my mando to try it out. When I picked a few notes there were wide eyes and open mouths all around the room. The difference in volume and sustain were shocking--pleasantly so, but still shocking. My Eastman was already a loud mandolin, but now it's a cannon. I can't wait for rehearsal tommorow night. I'm gonna stand across from the banjo player and make his Deering Golden Era rattle and buzz. Anyways, I know there have been many threads on the Tone Gard but I wanted to thank Antonio Pires in public for his fine product.
Steve
Mando Medic
Dec-27-2005, 8:28pm
And I thank you for the testimony too. I've been singing his praises for years. The one thing that you can do under a hundred bucks that really makes a difference. Kenc
freshlyplucked
Dec-27-2005, 11:09pm
Ummmm....ToneGard?
What is it and how does it work?
sunburst
Dec-27-2005, 11:18pm
Ummmm....ToneGard?
What is it and how does it work?
Hmmmm...5 posts. I guess you're forgiven. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I did a search and came up with This (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=Search&CODE=02&SID=43b22da5218aecc3).
It's sort of a wire basket that clips on to the mandolin and keeps the back from contacting your body. That leaves the back free to vibrate, and improves the sound of those mandolins that have a back constructed well enough to vibrate.
mandolooter
Dec-27-2005, 11:33pm
if I said...duh...would you be offended? Ya shouldn't be, it's a great product!!!!
It's one of the few products where there is 97% agreement on the board that it is a great product.
Michael Gowell
Dec-28-2005, 10:35am
I went to the ToneGard home page to check the price ($65) and saw that he has a new model called the 'DecoGard' for $75; its metal "ribs" all intersect at an angle rather than radiating from a central arc like the original, now called a 'SunriseGard'.
Surprisingly there was no description of the differences/advantages between the two models. #Does anyone here have advice?
Tom C
Dec-28-2005, 10:39am
I do not play with mando flat against my stomach so I am not sure how this would benefit.
sunburst
Dec-28-2005, 10:48am
I do not play with mando flat against my stomach so I am not sure how this would benefit.
The short answer is; it wouoldn't.
If you can hold and play the instrument with the back free from contact with your body, there is no benefit from a Tonegard.
I've even heard from at least one player that he uses the damping effect as one of his dynamic tools when playing. He normally plays with the mandolin back away from his body, but if he wants to mute the sound slightly, he holds it against himself.
Mando Medic
Dec-28-2005, 10:56am
There is no difference between any of the Gards. They are all designed to do the same exact thing. One is a little fancier than another, that's all. Kenc
If ANY part of the back of the mandolin touches you, you can benefit from the Tonegard,and unless you use the submachine gun hold something is touching you. John Reischman plays the best sounding mandolin in the world, and he uses a tonegard.
Get the $65 model. It's just as good as the higher priced one.
SternART
Dec-28-2005, 11:54am
The DecoGard isn't new.......I've had them for a few years on various mandos. Tony
is great guy, who came up with a good idea & makes them himself.
I personally introduced the ToneGard to several elite Bay Area pickers who now use them
on old Gibsons. I really like them...... Made every mando I've put them on sound better!
SGraham
Dec-28-2005, 12:05pm
GBG's comment reflects my own experience. Before I got my Tone Gard I tried to hold the mandolin away from my body as much as I possibly could--maybe 25% of the back toward the tailpiece would be damped. The Gard still made a huge difference.
Steve
Tom C
Dec-28-2005, 12:06pm
Well I may just have to do the $65 test and get one.
Dave Cowles
Dec-28-2005, 1:25pm
Do it. It makes my custom F5 rattle windows, and even makes my MK (which needs random hippie sanding) bark a little bit.
Dave
Gail Hester
Dec-28-2005, 1:45pm
I think Tone-Gards are simple, effective and an ingenious idea. I recently had the pleasure of working with Tony to build a Tone-Gard for my new H5 mandola. The mandola being a little larger is more difficult to hold away from your body and the Tone-Gard is makes a big difference. Here is a picture of an F5 and the H5 for comparison.
SternART
Dec-28-2005, 1:49pm
Gail,
If I'm not mistaken that spacer in the center of your DolaGard
is meant to be a spare, they only go around the perimeter. Tony
sends them out with a spare replacement part.
Gail Hester
Dec-28-2005, 1:58pm
Good eye. I should have removed it for the picture but it doesn't touch the back and it's a good way to keep track of it.
woodwiz
Dec-28-2005, 2:44pm
Pretty nice hunka tree-wood there, Gail..........
Doug Edwards
Dec-28-2005, 3:01pm
Best bang for my buck.
First off, I just like to thank all you wonderful folks who have supported the Tone-Gard all these years through the mud slinging and nay saying, you are the best and the only reason I keep making them. As to those who wonder about the effect, there is a simple test that you can do to get an idea if it's going to work for you and the way you hold your mando. It's the very first thing on the Tone-Gard webpage. The reason being, you don't have to buy one to see if it works. I'd rather you did the test first, and then if you like the results, then get one. I'm not aware of any other product you can do this with. Get about a foot away from a wall or some reflecting surface that will bounce the sound of your mando back to you. Play it the way you would normally play, then hold it by the neck to really get the back off of your front and chop and pick as best you can. Go back and forth and really listen. If you have a mando that the back is lively enough, it will make a difference. The next decision is whether it's the sound you want.
Happy New Years to you all and pic purty!
reGards
Antone Pires
sunburst
Dec-28-2005, 5:28pm
Or, get a friend to face you with the mandolin and play with the back damped and without. I did that once with a couple of the mandos that I built, and I was surprised how much difference there was. I couldn't hear that much difference playing the mandolin myself.
Paul847
Dec-28-2005, 5:41pm
Steve, my mother-in-law gave me blank video tapes.
Mike McCoy
Dec-28-2005, 6:13pm
The best addition I've ever gotten for any instrument! I have one on my mando and my guitar. Tony's a great guy and deserves "many" thanks from the mando community.
Lane Pryce
Dec-28-2005, 7:14pm
I have to jump on the wagon too. Tony's TG is the only piece of hardware I have ever purchased that made an immediate improvement in my Gibson and the new Kelley A5. Very simple and innovative. Two clicks and a snap. Lp
Doug Edwards
Dec-28-2005, 8:24pm
Hey Lane,
You get your MAS stickers yet?
Lane Pryce
Dec-29-2005, 6:37am
Yeah Doug they came yesterday and look really cool. Lp
Doug Edwards
Dec-29-2005, 6:55am
I was really pleased with the way they turned out. So far the ordering has been very light, so I have plenty left. Enjoy.
shawverscrossing
Jan-23-2006, 6:20pm
Just received mine. Fitment was fine, and still goes in my Calton case. Banged on it a few times, wife came in the room and said, "Is that a new mandolin?"
I'm afraid it might be too loud with it on there. Watch out banjer pickers.
Another testimonial for the ToneGard; I just bought one from 'Cafe classifieds seller Wayne Lawrence and tried it on my F-9. I've played friends' mandos with ToneGards installed and they typically sounded great, but they have also been fine mandolins anyway and I didn't get a chance to play them w/o the ToneGard.
I did the A/B test (off-on-off-on..) several times and it's amazing to me how much fuller the sound is. It's louder too, but the thing that really impressed me is that it seemed to improve the sustain and round out the sound more... maybe a little better bottom end. I'm curious to see what it will do to my wife's OldWave oval and my old A-40. I don't expect it to help the A-40 much with it's laminate back (not that it's a bad mando), but that OldWave already sings and I'm wondering if it will improve the loudness or projection.
Great add-on, and if you're reading this, Thanks Wayne!
Paul Doubek http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Nolan
Feb-06-2006, 11:12am
Another Tone-gard fan here.
One thing I really like is that they also protect the back of your instrument. My Tone-gard is scratched all to heck after only 3 years... makes me wonder how my mandolin would have faired without it.
Jim Hilburn
Feb-06-2006, 3:43pm
I just got to meet Tony in Bakersfield. Just like so many others in mandoland, just a great guy.
We talked to each other for about 10 minutes before we exchanged names and realized we already knew each other.
Likewise Jim, it was a real kick to meet you and so many other "names" that I'm familiar with over the years on the net. I just wished I would have had the guts to ask to play that beautiful A model you had on your back, but I was so crispy I just left you and went home. Next time http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
stevem
Feb-10-2006, 12:02am
After all the tonegard fanfare, I decided to try it out. My wife let me buy it on condition that I'd sell it if it didn't work. Well, her first comment when I put it on today was, "That thing sure makes your mandolin louder. Isn't that what it's supposed to do?" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I love it. My mando sounds like a million bucks. Thanks Tony P and Greg Boyd's!
david blair
Feb-10-2006, 11:28am
I like the effects of the tone guard for my mando, but I don't use it since I lost some weight. Also I now wear my strap over my head only (no shoulder) and this keeps the mando off of my belly when standing. I've also found that my Schertler pickup works better stuck onto the back of my instrument, allowing the top to vibrate the way it should. With volume levels in the right place for single notes holding the mando off the body works, but for a good chop it works to damp the back against my body. My two cents..
mandolin123
Feb-10-2006, 8:33pm
I have a custom one made by a guy here in town. I would have a hard time to do without it.
dwllal
Feb-12-2006, 6:41am
YES IT WORKS!!! I have a 88 Gibson F-5L that sounds great but I play with the strap over my neck and can’t seem to get it away from my body enough. When I put the Tone-Gard on my Mando “look out Banjo Darren is taking this break”…. I love it and it fits in my Calton case on the Mando with no problems.
PS. Does anyone know Mike Reno? He posted some pictures on Web Shot of an 88 Gibson F—5L Mandolin just like mine. I think he used to own it. I would love to get some history on this Mando. If so please email at dwllal@cfl.rr.com
Keep on down pickin hard!!! Darren
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Daniel Nestlerode
Feb-13-2006, 2:41pm
The bandwagon keeps a-rollin'
I bought one at SuperGrass and tested it immediately afterward in my hotel room. Yep. Makes a pretty noticeable difference. I like it!
It took a little time to get used to though. It changes the balance of your mando by adding significant weight to the body. I was taking a break and my hand just never went to the right places on the fret board! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif I guess I was expecting to have to hold up the neck with my left hand, and I don't anymore.
Also wondering if maybe the added mass increases the sustain a tiny bit. Seems to.
Daniel
Jackie Walters
Feb-13-2006, 5:03pm
Tony - I'm thinking about getting a Tone guard. I have an "A" style mandolin. Do I need one for an "A"? Or are they "generic". Thanks..
Angelfire
Doug Edwards
Feb-13-2006, 6:07pm
I'm surprised no none has jumped in there for Tony. #They are generic sized, one size fits all. I wouldn't call them Generic, they are quite unique.
TonyP
Feb-13-2006, 11:17pm
woa, miss a couple o' day on the Cafe and I'm outta it...Doug, you're right the SunriseGard tries to be the generic fit, but there's always a catch, right? 'Cuse ain't nothin' really generic I'm finding out in my old age. Turns out the standard F5, near as I can come up with is about 9 7/8" approx. at it's widest point across the back. This seems to hold for A5's too. Now some of the older A's were 10 3/16 approx. and the standard Gard doesn't fit like it should so I came up with their own model, the VintageGard. This holds for like the Weber Absaroka too. I hope this helps.
250sc
Feb-14-2006, 10:15am
DNestler,
I don't think the extra weight is adding any sustain.
If it were the extra mass and weight of the tonegard that added the sustain you could just put a C clamp on your mando and get the same results. I'd say the extra sustain is due the the fact that the back isn't being muffled by your body.