I recently got one and have definitely noticed a difference. Some folks at bluegrass jams have been telling me to get one and I finally decided to do it. I live in an apartment and play my mandolin in a much softer tone not to make my neighbors angry. So when I go to open jams I have to get used to playing louder rather than acting like I'm in my bedroom. A tone guard cage really helped me. I noticed a difference right away. Love your videos by the way keep it up!
Especially appreciate this video, Baron. A fine demo, yet limitations in TH-cam playback gear likely obscures some of the difference. IMO, and the opinion of many pros and amateurs, telling the full difference in sound calls for using one, or having one demonstrated for you “live” … and you may not want to be without it. Another unheralded benefit of the Tone-Gard is that it allows ventilation between you and your axe. At a hot-n-muggy summer music festival, that could be the next best thing to an abdominal air conditioner. Highly recommended product!
Definitely an increase in fidelity with the tonegard. I play an oval A primarily, and I think this could be a good tool to adjust the timbre of the instrument. Thanks for putting up this video!
Bought one because of this video and definitely happy with it. Also bought The Loar Honey Creek to learn on. Only real complaints is that it sounded “Tinny” and had a lack of projection. The Tone-Gard solved both problems. Thanks for the video!
I like your mandolin. I had to get one with the f holes because others sold out. Also like your bowl backed in the back ground. Tone gard sounds good and without as well. Thanks for the video and demonstrating both ways. Great jig.
I have a tone guard that I used on a Rigel. I now have a Brentrupt with a spirit varnish finish and haven't risked the TG damaging the finish. The varnish finish damages easily but allows for great tone and projection.
The Tone-Gard changes a number of variables. Mass, vibration rate, body contact, and probably some others I haven't thought of. With that said, it is still a subjective decision whether it improves the sound. Science has proven it changes the sound, but you might not like the change. It's always a fun discussion and certainly sells a lot of Tone-Gards. I put one on every mando I own.
Yes they do....the argument can be made that you can play with a variable tone and timbre by not having one...but that trade off is silly...Tone guards allows your mando to sing, resonate freely.. if you want to mute it like before mash it into a pillow...lol... I will never be without one.
Interesting demonstration. I believe the Tonegard makes the sound slightly more nasally. Slightly more resonant. Is it worth the added hardware? Matter of taste. I have however subsequently tested different holding positions for my mandolin while playing and have achieved the same effect, with minimal added inconvenience. I may incorporate this into my playing when I want to change my instrument's projection "on the fly."
What about this ' what if I take a 10" guitar speaker and mount it to the back , would it kinda be the same concept ? And would it since it being a speaker ' would it amplify the sound ?
I play mostly sitting down and would think the tone-gard to be less effective. Don't have a belly and play in the typical position or on the right leg. Like the arm rest - on the Collings - don't like it. On the Aitken - it works for me. A personal thing.
Hard for me to hear the difference. I’m willing to try one . I would have liked to hear you play an F style. Your mandolin sounds great either way . I’m sure it is a far more expensive one than I play.Good video as are all of yours.
Thanks for this video. It is much appreciated. I am in Canada. This was a product that I was greatly interested in for my F Hole Eastman. I emailed the company to enquire about Canadian distributors. They never bothered to reply back to me. I guess that I will never know.
I'm sure you can order direct, and shoot them another email, I've corresponded successfully in the past. If that fails, ask on the Mandolin Cafe Forum, I'm sure someone there can help you out!
Tone guards would not improve my sound at all as I don't hold my mandolin flush against my stomach like this. I only let the strap hang on my right should and the mandolin barely touches my torso.
What is the tune you’re playing at the 4:30 mark? Thanks!
Shove That Pig's Foot A Little Further In The Fire :)
www.mandolessons.com/lessons/fiddle-tunes/pigs-foot
@@MandoLessons thanks!
I recently got one and have definitely noticed a difference. Some folks at bluegrass jams have been telling me to get one and I finally decided to do it.
I live in an apartment and play my mandolin in a much softer tone not to make my neighbors angry. So when I go to open jams I have to get used to playing louder rather than acting like I'm in my bedroom. A tone guard cage really helped me. I noticed a difference right away.
Love your videos by the way keep it up!
Especially appreciate this video, Baron.
A fine demo, yet limitations in TH-cam playback gear likely obscures some of the difference. IMO, and the opinion of many pros and amateurs, telling the full difference in sound calls for using one, or having one demonstrated for you “live” … and you may not want to be without it.
Another unheralded benefit of the Tone-Gard is that it allows ventilation between you and your axe. At a hot-n-muggy summer music festival, that could be the next best thing to an abdominal air conditioner.
Highly recommended product!
Just bought one and have two outdoor festivals to play in April and June, so an abdominal AC will be MOST appreciated 🤣
Can’t live without a tone-gard! I bought of my tone-gards 19 years ago and I still use it!
Thanks Nate, big fan of your music!
@@MandoLessons Thanks man! Right back atcha! You're one of the most well-versed mando players on the scene!
Great vid. When I actually tried one out, I was blown away by the massive increase in bottom end and mid range. Made a huge difference for me.
Definitely an increase in fidelity with the tonegard. I play an oval A primarily, and I think this could be a good tool to adjust the timbre of the instrument. Thanks for putting up this video!
Bought one because of this video and definitely happy with it. Also bought The Loar Honey Creek to learn on. Only real complaints is that it sounded “Tinny” and had a lack of projection.
The Tone-Gard solved both problems.
Thanks for the video!
I like your mandolin. I had to get one with the f holes because others sold out. Also like your bowl backed in the back ground. Tone gard sounds good and without as well. Thanks for the video and demonstrating both ways. Great jig.
I have a tone guard that I used on a Rigel. I now have a Brentrupt with a spirit varnish finish and haven't risked the TG damaging the finish. The varnish finish damages easily but allows for great tone and projection.
The Tone-Gard changes a number of variables. Mass, vibration rate, body contact, and probably some others I haven't thought of. With that said, it is still a subjective decision whether it improves the sound. Science has proven it changes the sound, but you might not like the change. It's always a fun discussion and certainly sells a lot of Tone-Gards. I put one on every mando I own.
Wow, I really liked how you explained thank you and I liked the mandolin too!🤩
I think the Tone-Gard makes the sound "brighter" if that makes sense. Thanks Baron, I will look into one.
Yes they do....the argument can be made that you can play with a variable tone and timbre by not having one...but that trade off is silly...Tone guards allows your mando to sing, resonate freely.. if you want to mute it like before mash it into a pillow...lol... I will never be without one.
Interesting demonstration. I believe the Tonegard makes the sound slightly more nasally. Slightly more resonant. Is it worth the added hardware? Matter of taste. I have however subsequently tested different holding positions for my mandolin while playing and have achieved the same effect, with minimal added inconvenience. I may incorporate this into my playing when I want to change my instrument's projection "on the fly."
I'd like to see a review on their guitar Tone Gard.
Thank you thank you😇😇
That's so curious, brighter and more open with the tone-gard, warmer, but duller and sharper, without it.
What about this ' what if I take a 10" guitar speaker and mount it to the back , would it kinda be the same concept ? And would it since it being a speaker ' would it amplify the sound ?
I play mostly sitting down and would think the tone-gard to be less effective. Don't have a belly and play in the typical position or on the right leg. Like the arm rest - on the Collings - don't like it. On the Aitken - it works for me. A personal thing.
Hard for me to hear the difference. I’m willing to try one . I would have liked to hear you play an F style. Your mandolin sounds great either way . I’m sure it is a far more expensive one than I play.Good video as are all of yours.
I love my tone-gard.
Thanks for this video. It is much appreciated.
I am in Canada. This was a product that I was greatly interested in for my F Hole Eastman.
I emailed the company to enquire about Canadian distributors. They never bothered to reply back to me. I guess that I will never know.
I'm sure you can order direct, and shoot them another email, I've corresponded successfully in the past. If that fails, ask on the Mandolin Cafe Forum, I'm sure someone there can help you out!
Myhre’s music in Edmonton sells them
@@mandomarc1 thanks. I will email them.
@@waynebagley you’re most welcome
The difference is subtle. I am not certain listening on my cellphone.
With tone gard!
That company has not made any effort to make thier product available in Canada. Not in Ontario.
🥰
Tone guards would not improve my sound at all as I don't hold my mandolin flush against my stomach like this. I only let the strap hang on my right should and the mandolin barely touches my torso.