The Tone-Gard from The Stringman.
The Tone-Gard was designed to isolate the back of the instrument from the player and to protect it. Isolating the back allows the top produce more volume and deepens the tone. You can test the concept without a Tone-Gard: Face a wall about a foot or two away, to allow the sound to bounce back directly to you, and play your instrument normally. After you are used to the sound, hold the mandolin by the neck so that the back of the instrument is a couple of inches away from you. Now try playing a couple of “chops.” Go back and forth, against and away from your body, and you will notice a difference. You will hear a difference even in just hitting one chop and letting it ring while holding against you, then away.The Tone-Gard is made from mild steel and is welded, then sprayed with a durable high-gloss paint. All surfaces that come in contact with the instrument have rubber and leather where needed. The only maintenance is a little instrument wax or Pledge on the rubber-padded spring arms periodically to stop rubber deterioration. The rubber pads can also be easily replaced if necessary.Many of the most prominent mandolinists -- including David Grisman, Ricky Skaggs, Chris Hillman, Roland White, Radim Zenkl, Andy Statman, Mike Marshall, Dana Rath, Tom Rozum, Eric Thompson, Emory Lester, and many others -- use and recommend the Tone-Gard to get the best sound.

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