Tone Bars ?

[yankees1]

Can anyone explain purpose and how these tone bars in a mandolin work ? Also, I see that Northfield has developed a 5 tone bar mandolin which is different than the standard 2 bar. What difference should this new configuration result in ? If no tone bars were installed what sound would result ? Just curious about tone bars !

[fscotte]

I've used 2 and 3 tonebar configs for my tops, and have also used tonebars on the back for some. If you need a higher stiffness to weight ratio, tone bars are your answer.

I figure if you don't want to use tonebars, you'll need to reshape the arching a tad to keep its stiffness high while keeping weight down.

As you may have guessed, I consider tonebars to be mere braces and nothing more. I think the word itself was a great marketing scheme by Loar. Just like a floor and a roof use "tonebars" to keep the strength high and weight low. In fact, "tonebars" are used all throughout the world of construction, bridges, buildings, cars, umbrellas, ships, etc.. where higher stiffness to weight is needed.

[EdHanrahan]

Like a Martin guitar with its, ya know, X-joist!