No-varnish mandolin

[morix]

I just got a Portuguese-style mandolin that has not received any varnish.
In the description, it is indicated "open pore".
What do you think? Is that a disadvantage?

[G7MOF]

Sound wise it should be a clean sound. I had one many years ago and it was wonderful.
Discussions about varnish V lacquer show how people find differences so in a way clean none treated wood should be clear.
Again it's down to the individuals taste but other members will chime in with their opinions as well.

[Ray(T)]

So far as I’m aware, the finish on a mandolin does little to improve its sound but is there to prevent other things being absorbed into the wood which might make it sound worse (and, of course, to keep the dirt out.)

[morix]

Thank you to all!

[rcc56]

I hope that it was sealed with something.
If not, I would worry that it might be prone to developing cracks.

[Marty Jacobson]

If it develops cracks, it was going to anyway. No wood finishes completely seal them (except maybe gold leaf), and they are almost never sealed on both sides. An unvarnished instrument should last as long as a varnished instrument. It may be prettier, but very little structural benefit is realized.

[Bob Buckingham]

Think about all of the wooden items you own. Even a hoe handle has linseed oil applied to it. Why? To protect the wood. From the minute that tree is cut the wood starts to transform, some would say diminish but as fire is rapid oxidation so is decomposition slow oxidation. Sealing and coating wood is to hep control this oxidation process. Its all science, or how describe the master plan. in this case, the small things (atoms) are the big thing.

[Phil Goodson]

Sealer would at least decrease likelihood of termites.