Vegan mandolins?

**Ben Milne** · Jun-25-2012, 6:50pm

The Epiphone Mandobird has a plastic nut, and the inlays are quite small and only listed as dot inlays, no mention of MOP... I would think plastic though I wonder how easy confirmation would be.

Perhaps the OP could email this guy to find out what instrument he plays.

**JEStanek** · Jun-25-2012, 8:42pm

Titebond wood glue is all synthetic wood glue. It would work fine. The kit from International Violin has no inlays and only plastic bits. The challenge with that (and the fun if you're so inclined) is to build it.

Jamie

**fatt-dad** · Jun-25-2012, 9:02pm

Problem with the IV kit is the glue used in the partial assembly. Same is true for the stew-mac kit, which is the kit I'd like to try one day.

f-d

**MikeEdgerton** · Jun-25-2012, 9:04pm

I don't see anything on this mandolin that should cause a problem (assuming the nut isn't bone) for the OP and it's in his price range.

**Bob Clark** · Jun-25-2012, 9:31pm

How about Gypsy's Music in Maryland. I've never seen one of their instruments, but their prices seem quite reasonable, their work looks great, and judging from their web site, they seem like really cool people. It might not be a bad idea for the OP to check with them. I wouldn't be surprised if they'd be willing to work something out that would be acceptable to the OP.

**MikeEdgerton** · Jun-25-2012, 9:35pm

I think Walt builds those in Arizona now.

**Bill Snyder** · Jun-25-2012, 9:35pm

HE WANTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIS DEALERS TRADE-UP POLICY. I doubt anything but a factory built instrument is going to work for him.
Perhaps his dealer can get a Big Muddy.
Even cheap mandolins probably use real MOP fretboard dots (the IV kits have them) because MOP dots are really cheap.

**robertbieber** · Jun-25-2012, 11:31pm

Woo, this thread blew up. I'll try to address everything that's come up, sorry if I miss something.

For starters, the Ovation and Mandobird were both good suggestions...but I already own them both. I bought them both from a local guitar store that offers a 100% back trade-up policy as long as the new one is at least $100 more than the original, so I was contemplating trading up the Ovation (which I paid around $350 for, IIRC) for something more traditional. Since it seems like pretty much the only factory-built options for me are the ones I already have, it looks like I'm just going to have to wait a couple more months until I have the money for a custom build.

Regarding oysters: they're probably not sentient, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, so I just view anything from kingdom animalia as off-limits.

Regarding discarded antlers, shells, and etc.: Technically not vegan, but not something I personally have a problem with. Of course, realistically if I were to buy a bone nut from a factory the bone would come from a slaughterhouse, not a discarded pair of antlers, so the only way I'd ever feel comfortable with a "discarded" animal product part would be if it came from someone who could personally vouch for its origins.

Regarding buying non-vegan instruments and replacing parts: Another poster got it right, I'd still be uncomfortable with it because the purchase creates demand for the product. Whether I actually use the product after buying it is immaterial.

Regarding carbon fiber mandolins: That's unbelievable, and I really want to see one some day.

Anyways, thanks for the responses everyone! It looks like I'll be holding on to my Ovation for now, but I did get a really promising contact from a builder because of this thread, so hopefully that will work out well

**John Flynn** · Jun-26-2012, 1:10am

A couple of people have mentioned carbon fiber. Some issues there:
> Way out of your price range
> Still may use a bone nut, some hide glue and real abalone for the inlay and dot markers

**Bertram Henze** · Jun-26-2012, 2:13am

Many years ago, I used to experiment building my own instruments from aluminum parts bought in DIY shops. They all looked a bit like this old commercial. This might be another option for you - you don't even need glue, just screws.

**billkilpatrick** · Jun-26-2012, 2:44am

overlooking the fact that an animal is engaged in the process, i think singing, whistling, tapping toes, etc., etc. might be the only 100% guaranteed option.

**journeybear** · Jun-26-2012, 3:32am

Originally Posted by Ben Milne

The Epiphone Mandobird has a plastic nut, and the inlays are quite small and only listed as dot inlays, no mention of MOP... I would think plastic though I wonder how easy confirmation would be.

Yeah, I thought of electrics too, though it seemed the OP is looking for an acoustic. But the MandoBird is definitely as animal-free as it gets. They actually could come with something like that movie disclaimer: No animals were harmed in the making of this product. Heck, mine is pretty darn plant-free, other than the neck. Just have to find out what glue is used to bind the fretboard to the neck, unless it's one piece.

Originally Posted by robertbieber

Woo, this thread blew up.

Here to help.

And yakking it up is one of the things we do best.

**billkilpatrick** · Jun-26-2012, 4:07am

Originally Posted by journeybear

... the MandoBird is definitely as animal-free as it gets. ...

apart from its name, of course.

**greg_tsam** · Jun-26-2012, 4:09am

Hey Robert with all these requirements you sure don't make it easy, do ya? Come to think of it, do you have a sister because I think I dated here!

**journeybear** · Jun-26-2012, 4:40am

Originally Posted by journeybear

... the MandoBird is definitely as animal-free as it gets. ...

Originally Posted by billkilpatrick

apart from its name, of course.

Naturally. So to speak.

**Paul Busman** · Jun-26-2012, 5:10am

Originally Posted by PJ Doland

As far as I understand, oysters don't have a central nervous system. Even Peter Singer said it's perfectly ethical to eat them (in Animal Liberation, no less). That means that mother of pearl is probably something you shouldn't worry about.

Just avoid abalone, leather, and bone and you should be good-to-go.

No CNS in an abalone either which is a mollusk just like an oyster. If the OP is OK with oysters, abalone should not be a problem either.
As far as switching out existing animal derived parts, most vegans I've known wouldn't buy the product in the first place since spending money on a product with animal products encourages their use in general. If the OP just doesn't want to use a mandolin with animal parts, then he has a lot more options since a bone nut etc is relatively easy to change.

**Tim2723** · Jun-26-2012, 5:19am

Originally Posted by robertbieber

...it looks like i'll be holding on to my ovation for now...

I win!!

**Ed Goist** · Jun-26-2012, 7:38am

Robert; good luck in your future search for an upgrade.
If you do decide to work with a builder at some point on a vegan mandolin, please be sure to create a thread about the build process so we can follow it.
Thanks for starting this informative and interesting thread.
Again, best wishes.

**Bob Clark** · Jun-26-2012, 7:52am

Hello Robert,

I think you started an important thread here. Others have asked similar questions in the past, but this particular thread explored the options perhaps a bit more thoroughly. It will be a resource to others with views similar to your own. I also hope some luthiers will get on board and start offering a vegan-type mandolin as one more option. There may be some players among us who are not vegans, yet might be interested in this type of instrument for a variety of personal reason.

I hope you find what you are looking for. Best wishes,

Bob

**tkdboyd** · Jun-26-2012, 8:12am

Okay...so the serious stuff has been addressed (I am a Vegiaquarium: if it is a non-mammal in the water, I'll eat it. Was strict lacto-ovo vegetarian for 20 years, and had a change of heart/stomach).

Can we make jokes about Mandolins being Banjo killers in spite of their vegan-ism?

:-)

Even more hypocrisy on my part--those are all leather straps hanging on my mandolins!

**JEStanek** · Jun-26-2012, 8:51am

I came at it from another angle when I had my two custom instruments built, I didn't want any plastics (binding or buttons) on either of them. There are plenty of builders who will make a great instrument following the requirements you put forward. There are animal and environmentally friendly options out there for the components (woods, glues, finishes, etc). The challenge is to get these things on a smaller budget but, I believe it can be done, even if you have to do it yourself.

Jamie

**journeybear** · Jun-26-2012, 9:08am

I believe a vegan mandolin can be a banjo killer. The owner may be a vegan, but the mandolin may determine its ethics for itself. Free will, self-determination, all that.

Also, powerful construction.

Originally Posted by robertbieber

... It looks like I'll be holding on to my Ovation for now...

Originally Posted by Tim2723

I win!!

So does the Ovation. It is free from the fear of harm from the self-avowed mandolin killer.

Actually, come to think of it, since Tim embraced Ovations, I don't recall any accounts of him destroying one. Perhaps that is more good news!

**Jim Garber** · Jun-26-2012, 9:13am

Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton

I think Walt builds those in Arizona now.

Walt used to be in AZ and now is in New Market, MD. Contact page

**MikeEdgerton** · Jun-26-2012, 9:33am

Originally Posted by Jim Garber

Walt used to be in AZ and now is in New Market, MD. Contact page

Hang on a minute, nobody moves from Arizona to Maryland! The next thing you're gonna tell me someonbody moved from Florida TO New Jersey. I don't know if that's criminal or not but it might be unAmerican.

Thanks for the correction.