Building a vegan guitar

[ICTGoober]

I am a longtime member of the Official Luthiers Forum, where many professionals and amateurs exchange info and news on repairing and building guitars. One of the builders was asked by a client if he would consider building a vegan guitar. The builder mused that he would have to use a non-bone nut - probably Tusc, micarta, brass, ebony, or other material.

Then I weighed in: Did the builder tell the client that most guitars are assembled using aliphatic resin glue made of ground up and cooked down horse hooves and cow hides? And that most Asian builders use fish glues, made of ground up and cooked down fish? Is the client going to object to this, or want a different type of adhesive?

And then my hero - Hesh Breakstone of Ann Arbor Guitars - pointed out that most wooden guitars are made of dead plants. Is the client going to object to this? How deeply held are his beliefs on this subject? Or will he buy an expensive guitar of manmade materials - like carbon fiber or aluminum?

Now we wait to see what the client decides.

 

[GuitarStv]

Veganism is abstention from animal products. Wood isn't an animal product, so no problem. Not sure why you thought that would be an issue?

Animal glues were very popular at one point, but most guitar manufacturers have switched over to other glues because they're cheaper. Titebonds glues (except their specific hide glue) - vegan, yellow carpenter's glue (aliphatic resin) - vegan, cyanoacrylates (superglue) - vegan, epoxy glues - vegan, etc.

There aren't many places on a guitar where you would use animal products. Maybe a bone nut and mother of pearl/abalone inlays? Sounds like a super easy request to fulfill. No Taylor guitars from the 500 series down have any animal products in them. I'd be surprised if there weren't a whole bunch of Fender guitars that could be classified as vegan too.

 

[beaubrummels]

Vegan guitars have great tone, but the neck is huge.

 

[Blille]

My next build is using Velcro instead of glue. Or maybe I can sew it. Or staple it.

 

[ICTGoober]

My point it that some people THINK they are vegan, but haven't deeply examined their beliefs or why they hold to them. It's a thought experiment. Was the client genuinely caring about animals, or did he make the request out of a fuzzy focus on "being a better person"? The builder asked us to discuss all the viewpoints, and I think we did. Now he'll pass along these points for the client to consider.

 

[Securb]

So can I order one with Seymour Duncan Meat Lovers Humbuckers?

 

[PFDarkside]

When I read the title I assumed a hide glue-free guitar, so I assume a buyer would as well.

 

[GuitarStv]

So can I order one with Seymour Duncan Meat Lovers Humbuckers?

Needs SSL-4 quarter pounders at least.

 

[misterwhizzy]

I'm going to need those meaty tones.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I'm more interested in analyzing the person who spends their free time doing thought experiments on gear forums about why a random unknown person wants a guitar made without animal products, than the guy who wants a vegan guitar.

I'm not going to go home and write 4 paragraphs about why you hold your personal beliefs because you purchased a product i wouldn't purchase lol. It's so bizarre to ask a group of strangers what we think about another stranger's preference in a custom handmade instrument.

 

[zizyphus]

My point it that some people THINK they are vegan, but haven't deeply examined their beliefs or why they hold to them. It's a thought experiment. Was the client genuinely caring about animals, or did he make the request out of a fuzzy focus on "being a better person"? The builder asked us to discuss all the viewpoints, and I think we did. Now he'll pass along these points for the client to consider.

hard to accurately paint this one with a broad brush

I've met very well-informed, thoughtful vegans / vegetarians who take the time to know what their stuff is made of / how its sources

I've also met very poorly informed and needlessly preachy / hostile ones

I guess it could be a fun challenge for the luthier either way?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

When you encounter a Vegan person, there’s a possibility they’ll be really aggressive about their beliefs.

When you mention Veganism, there is 100% chance someone will go on at length about why Vegans are so full of crap.

 

[ICTGoober]

The vegan client is real. So is the builder.
And the luthiers were having a little fun.
Introspection is good, guys.
Separating the chaff from the wheat from time to time improves oneself - don't you agree?

Mr. Pockets has missed the point. If you want to look at people who waste time and server space with pointless questions, there are are least 4 users on this forum who use it like their own personal Facebook page. I try to ignore them as much as possible. No need to name them... we shrug knowingly.

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

So can I order one with Seymour Duncan Meat Lovers Humbuckers?

I spit my Oreo and milk out reading that!

 

[Blille]

My point it that some people THINK they are vegan, but haven't deeply examined their beliefs or why they hold to them. It's a thought experiment. Was the client genuinely caring about animals, or did he make the request out of a fuzzy focus on "being a better person"? The builder asked us to discuss all the viewpoints, and I think we did. Now he'll pass along these points for the client to consider.

I live in the Bay Area and I’ve been schooled by a couple of vegans after a couple of cheeky comments. Some do a loooot of research, others have no clue.

 

[Mincer]

I would think it would be a cool challenge for a luthier to take on. They'd have to re-invent some things (like find man made glues or natural plant alternatives). I think it would be an interesting problem to solve.

 

[ICTGoober]

I would think it would be a cool challenge for a luthier to take on. They'd have to re-invent some things (like find man made glues or natural plant alternatives). I think it would be an interesting problem to solve.

No re-invention needed. There are already multiple makers of all metal guitars, and all carbon fiber guitars. But they are all stupid expensive compared to most wooden guitars (unless you are having Bob Benedetto make you something).

 

[LLL]

One of the builders was asked by a client if he would consider building a vegan guitar.

It's rare that a stupid question gets asked; that was one of those questions.

Is he planning on slathering it with mustard and having it for lunch?

 

[nexion218]

It's rare that a stupid question gets asked; that was one of those questions.

Is he planning on slathering it with mustard and having it for lunch?

I once witnessed someone refusing to buy an Ernie Ball poly-mesh strap, because the end of the strap that attaches to the button on the guitar was leather ...

 

[ICTGoober]

I once witnessed someone refusing to buy an Ernie Ball poly-mesh strap, because the end of the strap that attaches to the button on the guitar was leather ...

Leather straps were mentioned in our discussion on the OLF. Some of these folks don't wear leather shoes or leather belts.... Their choice.