Collings MT2 tone guard ?

[Werner Jaekel]

I am worried about the varnish when mounting my tone guard. Collings themselves would rather not. Because of the varnish.

But I am very fond of this gadget.

Another thing:

How do you fix a strap ? Tying between soundboard and fretboard might result in wear of the varnish at the joint. Collings pointed this out to me.

Thank you.

[Lord of the Badgers]

I've never had varnish wear from the toneguard. Only my own sweat maybe or general dings.
If you're not wanting to mount your strap you can either tie around the neck after the nut or have a strap mount fitted.
I don't think you appear to want the latter but I am glad I had them fitted.

[9lbShellhamer]

If Chris Thile and countless other 1924 Loar owners have guards on, I would feel OK about it... Is it brand new? Maybe wait a few extra months before placing it?

I really prefer straps looped under the fretboard extension, but I suppose you could have a button installed. I don't like the headstock strap situation... It impedes my hands, but that's just me, no right or wrong way!

There's plenty of strap wear on F styles and no one bats an eye... It's the same with straps on an A under the fretboard. If it rubs a little, it rubs. To me, they sit much better than using a button...buttons angle out for some reason.

[pops1]

I use the headstock, but not at the nut, I go up past the tuner so the strap is not in my way. Been doing this for a few decades now with no problems.

[Stevo75]

I mounted a strap button on my varnish mandolin. I like the way the mandolin hangs that way rather than strapping to the head stock or around the body beneath the fretboard extension. But that's personal preference.

I also use a Tone Gard and haven't noticed any problem with the varnish finish. Varnish shows wear much more than lacquer finish so it's going to get marked up eventually - probably more from play wear than from the Tone Gard.

[terzinator]

For a tone gard on a varnish finish, I agree with this:

Is it brand new? Maybe wait a few extra months before placing it?

And yeah, for an A-style, strap under the fretboard extension. It's the right thing to do. Wear, yeah, maybe a little. A little.

[billhay4]

Tie between the soundboard and fretboard with a rawhide strip. This won't wear the finish.
Bill

[Larry Simonson]

Pick a good strap. No metal, no hard leather.