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The Tone-Gard from The Stringman - FAQs
| Will the Tone-Gard fit my [your mandolin
here]? The standard Gard will fit almost any mandolin based upon the classic Gibson carved-back mandolins, A style or F. These include Gilchrist, Stiver, Givens, Summit, Lewis, Woods, etc., including all the Japanese and Korean mandolins. If it fits in a standard mandolin case, the Gard will fit. Even Lyon&Healy! There is even a design that will fit the radiused Rigel and that design is priced the same as the standard Gard. The only mandolins that don't fall into the standard category would be the Martins and the flatback mandolins like the Trinity College and some of the new styles of Weber Do you think the Tone-Gard will help my mandolin? We have yet to hear a mandolin that can't benefit from the Gard. Plus the added benefits of quicker "wake-up" of the instrument and the protection of the back from zippers, buttons and belt buckles. Will the Tone-Gard mar the finish of my instrument? We don't "guarantee" the Gard for anything except workmanship, and that's why it's very affordable. It is the cheapest, quickest way to improve the sound, and the only way we know of currently to protect the back. As long as the pads are maintained you can expect your mandolin back to look like the day you bought it, with some very minor scuffing where the upper pads are, which is easily rubbed out. We cannot make claims for all finishes, for example, French-polished mandolins. A properly installed Gard will do more to minimize the damage to the back of the instrument from accidental rubbing against buttons, buckles, etc, however, there may be minor marks left by the Gard. Can the Tone-Gard stay on all the time, even in the case? Yes, in 99.9% of the cases. Even the owners of Calton cases have reported that theirs fit. It may stick in the case when the mando is removed sometimes, but that is no big deal, just pop it back on. For the rest of the mando-world, no problem, as the Gard only adds about 3/8" to 1/2" to the overall depth of the instrument. Is the Tone-Gard hard to install? It's pretty much a snap. Just lay the instrument on its top and bend the arms at the waist and tail of the gard until the arms hold the Gard in the center of the instrument snugly. I've got several mandolins, I can use one Tone-Gard
on all of them, right? |