Varnish and Lacquer

[big h]

I am having a tough time trying to decide what finish I want. I plant my little finger when I play and I have heard that a varnish finish will start to wear off if you plant. I don't want to kill tone and I don't want a hole on the top of my mando. Any advice?

[barry]

Varnish....and a pickguard.

[Rick Schmidlin]

I have a MF5 and don't have any Varnish MAS

[Fretbear]

Neither lacquer or varnish or a pickguard will kill tone, and you can wear a hole through lacquer as well;
I have. Get a small pickguard installed, that will protect the top the most effectively.