[posternutbag]

I believe that arm rests and tone guards will soon be viewed by mandolinists the way chin rests and shoulder rests are for string players. That is to say necessary, unless you are specifically trying to play music in a historically accurate way.

The major downside to tone guards and arm rests is that they can make it difficult to fit the mandolin and accessories into the case. You are getting a gig bag, so that will not be a problem initially.

I have never had a mandolin that the tone guard did not make louder, and I think armrests make playing more comfortable.