Yet Another Tone-Gard Post

[Cliff Seruntine]

I just received my Tone-Gard today. I wanted to order it directly from the maker since I like to support small businesses and builders, but PayPal was being a jerk for whatever reason and his invoices wouldn't appear in my email. So I ordered it through Elderly. I used their less expensive FIMS shipping, which is only $15 USD, with tracking. It only took 2 weeks to get here.

The Kentucky 272 is a larger bodied mandolin, about 10.5 inches in diameter. It requires the vintage sized Tone-Gard.

Like about everyone else, I found the Tone-Gard to make an immediate improvement. The Kentucky 272's back really wants to resonate, and when I play, I could really feel it. Putting on the Tone-Gard lets it resonate freely. There is a bit more volume, I think, but the tone is definitely fuller and lusher. It makes me think of a violin without a sound post vs. with a sound post. Letting the maple back resonate really enriches the instrument's voice.

The Tone-Gard is a solid bit of hardware. It weighs several ounces, but, hey!, I have friends who play banjos that must be over 10 lbs at our Celtic sessions. If they can manage those monsters, I can manage a few more ounces on my mandolin.

It fit like a glove with no adjustments necessary.

It's never coming off, and I'm very happy with it.

[Don Grieser]

How can we be sure this isn't the placebo effect?

[lloving]

How can we be sure this isn't the placebo effect?

So??? All beauty is in the eye of the beholder. i like how my mandolin sounds with the Tone_Gard installed better than I do without. Placebo effect, possibly. If so, guilty as charged. If nothing else my mandolin has very few button scratches.

[Mike Snyder]

Don did offer a smirky emoji to end his post. Some true unbelievers may post. To be expected when discussing any add-on. My rack is stainless. Woo Hoo!

[JFDilmando]

placebo....sigh.... anyone who has tried one, and anyone who listens to someone with one and then without one simply knows that they will all the back to resonate more than if the back is pressed up against the body. I bud of mine set up a mike and played with one and with out one, and then displayed the spectrum recorded and you could easily see the difference.

only caveat is if you are a player that holds the instrument away from your body in "normal playing"... a tone thingy with do nothing for you.

[Zach Wilson]

How can we be sure this isn't the placebo effect?

Not that I know everything but I'm guessing Don said this all in fun due to this thread Cliff started. Once again, just a guess.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...Placebo-Effect

[Erok]

I dunno... What if at times you want a bit softer sound with more sustain? You hug the mando a bit closer to you to change the tone. Hold it away when you want more attack and bass.

I like having that option, so a tone guard ain't for me.

YMMV

[MikeEdgerton]

I'm going to hazard a guess that Don had his tongue planted firmly in his cheek and I only wish I'd beaten him to that line

[Jeff Mando]

I dunno... What if at times you want a bit softer sound with more sustain? You hug the mando a bit closer to you to change the tone. Hold it away when you want more attack and bass.

Good observation. In the day of Bill Monroe, he did exactly that. He wore his strap over his right shoulder, unlike most modern players, so he could "pivot" his mandolin into the best position for what the song required. For your solo, you just hold it straight out away from your body for "full volume!"

[MikeEdgerton]

I always thought he played it over one shoulder so he could change instruments without taking off his hat. The things you learn.

[jesserules]

I always thought he played it over one shoulder so he could change instruments without taking off his hat. The things you learn.

No, see, Mr Bill wore the hat so the notes from the mandolin could bounce off it and be redirected toward the audience instead of drifting up away into the wild blue yonder like they do when played hatless.

[Jeff Mando]

Not to mention those polyester sport coats reflecting sound back to the audience........

[colorado_al]

I love having the tone gard on my mandolins. It gives me a much larger dynamic range to work with. And if I really want to use my built in mandolin mute, I can remove the tone gard and rest the instrument on my 12 pack abs.

[MikeEdgerton]

...if I really want to use my built in mandolin mute, I can remove the tone gard and rest the instrument on my 12 pack abs.

Dude!

[fatt-dad]

they work great! Now who wants to hear more of my heavy hand?

I love the tone-gard. That said, for driving around the house, yard, sofa, etc. I don't keep them on.

f-d

[Russ Donahue]

They work.
'Nuff said.

[Cliff Seruntine]

The more I use it, the more I like it. I mean, I really like it. It sounds sweeter, richer, a smidgeon louder (maybe) but the voice is definitely richer. It's staying on permanently.

And regarding Don, I knew he was just joshin'.

[Brian Harris]

I wonder how much feeling the vibrations in my gut informs my playing? It's what keeps me from ordering one.

My guess is not much. I mean, many of the top players use them. I'm sure they wouldn't compromise feel just to get a bit of tone and projection.

[dhergert]

My mandolin is louder when I wear a certain hat. Really.

(This is one wide rim hat. I'm pretty sure it directs sound toward my ears. The audience notices no sound-related difference though.)

I am a ToneGard believer though.

[Steve Ostrander]

I wish somebody would invent the Tune-Gard to keep my mandolin in tune.

[sblock]

My mandolin always sounds louder in the bathroom. So, I am working on an ultralight, portable WC system that can fold up into the mandolin case. This would be especially useful to have at festivals, both during -- and between -- jams...

[MontanaMatt]

My mandolin always sounds louder in the bathroom. So, I am working on an ultralight, portable WC system that can fold up into the mandolin case. This would be especially useful to have at festivals, both during -- and between -- jams...

Will your system work in seated and standing positions?

[Dave Hanson]

I wish I could get one in the UK.

Dave H

[Johnny60]

Hi Dave,

4 of us (all from Yorkshire) clubbed together a few years back and put in a "bulk" order direct from the manufacturer. We're all impressed - a great piece of kit that increases timbre, depth, resonance and volume. And it protects the back of the mandolin too!

[Tom Sanderson]

No offense intended toward Tone Gard fans. I tried them (I have 2) but for me, they don't make enough difference. I prefer the minimalist approach, just a mandolin, a strap, and a pick, plus the smallest, lightest case,( not a gig bag). I have the new Collings vintage style case that I think is perfect. For a tuner, I use an Iphone app. To me, less is more.