What Is It For?

The Tone-Gard™ is designed to isolate the back of a mandolin (or similar instrument) from the player's body, producing more volume and enhancing the tone.  

You can test the concept right now without a Tone-Gard™. Play your instrument normally, while facing a wall about a foot or two away, allowing the sound to bounce back directly. 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 your body. 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 just hitting one chop and letting it ring while holding against you, then away.

An additional benefit is to protect the back of the instrument from wear, dings, and scratches. You can and should leave the Gard on the instrument all the time, not take it on and off. It fits in almost all cases, including Calton™. See FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS >>

Who The Heck Needs It?

Many preeminent mandolinists — including David Grisman, Ricky Skaggs, Andy Statman, Mike Marshall, John Reischman, Chris Hillman, Roland White, Radim Zenkl, Dana Rath, Tom Rozum, Eric Thompson, Emory Lester, and many others — use and recommend the Tone-Gard™ to get the best possible sound.  A Tone-Gard™ improves anything from beginner instruments to Loars.  See lots of endorsements and photos in PLAYERS PHOTO GALLERY >>

As a mandolin player myself, I originally designed the Tone-Gard™ specifically for the mandolin, but I custom-make for guitar, ukelele, and other stringed instrument players who get a similar benefit. Read some REVIEWS AND COMMENTS >>

What Models and Designs Do You Make?

The Gards pictured above are the two Standard designs: the DecoGard™ (left) and original SunriseGard™ (right). Because of the spring arms at the waist and tail, they adjust to fit any Gibson™-style mandolin that fits a standard A or F-style case. The VintageGard™ fits mandolins that are slightly larger, such as older Gibsons. I also make a special Gard adapted for the rounded sides and particular body shape of Rigels™. The D-Gard™ is for standard-size dreadnought guitars. Custom sizes are also available for other mandolin-family instruments, guitars, ukes, etc. I can custom-make a Gard to incorporate special designs.  Lots of examples are shown in the PHOTO GALLERY >>  For size info, see FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS >>

What Is It Made Of?

Standard Tone-Gards™ are now made of laser-cut steel with a ceramic powder-coat. They have more pads, which are directly glued on to prevent loss. Vintage, Rigel, and custom Gards are hand-made from mild steel, sprayed with a durable high-gloss paint, and have older-style pads. All surfaces that come in contact with the instrument have rubber and leather pads where needed to protect the instrument’s finish. The only maintenance is occasionally to apply a little instrument wax or Pledge™ or similar product on the rubber-pads to prevent deterioration. The rubber pads can also be easily replaced if necessary.

How Much, and How Do I Order a Tone-Gard™?

See ORDER >>

Can I Get a Tone-Gard™ Anywhere else?

Yes, Standard Tone-Gards™ are available from select RETAILERS >>

More questions?