Binding Choices

[twitchylizard]

I have a question about binding. I bought a tele body in washed blue dye with natural binding. It will have chrome hardware, clear pickguard, and pearl sperzel tuners. What Neck binding would go best with those features in your opinion? The neck will more thank likely be Flame maple with Ebony board. Thank You

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

None would look best, IMO.

 

[twitchylizard]

What makes you say that? Are you not a fan of binding or is it the combination of features?

 

[Cagey]

The washed blue w/ an Ebony fretboard and chrome hardware sorta narrows you down to white binding, but that won't match the natural masked binding on the body or the pearl buttons on your tuners. Cream or Ivoroid binding on the neck might sorta match the natural masked binding of the body, but nothing else, and would probably look strange against the Ebony and Pearl. Pretty much no matter how you rearrange things it's a compromise. I think STDC's suggestion of "no binding" is probably your safest bet. If you wanna class it up, don't put any fretboard inlays in that Ebony, and skip the ivory buttons on your Sperzels. Just go with the chrome to match everything else.

Also, be sure to use stainless steel frets. Trust me; you won't be sorry.

 

[twitchylizard]

It will have stainless steel frets. I am probably leaning more toward no binding because I just dont think any of it would match, but since i havent seen any of Warmoth binding jobs in person I couldnt make a clear judgment on my own. I would love to do no inlays but I am afraid that I might use those inlays more than the side inlays to know where im at. Ive just never noticed it really but I will have to check what I actually do. Also, what finish on the neck do you think would look best on this project? I like the tinted neck but I would like some input from others.

 

[bbl4ck]

I think STDC and Cagey are right; no binding.  I was having the same dilemma with a LP body I just bought with natural binding.  I would vote no binding...
I would also go with the no inlays that Cagey mentioned.  I had the same concern you have about depending on the inlays.  It's strange, but you brain just naturally changes the focus to the side dots when the inlays are gone.
It took about two weeks and I have had no problem since.  No inlays is really a nice look on most guitars.  I did it on my first Warmoth and have done it about 4 additional.
Good luck and just know that you had better be posting some pics when ya get that girl built.
Oh yea, welcome to the forum...
:rock-on:

 

[twitchylizard]

Thank You, I am hoping to post pictures of her but I do not own a digital camera or a smart phone. Im pretty lame I know. I hope to have it all assembled by April but we will see if there are any setbacks. What do you think for the neck finish? I am leaning toward Vintage Tint Gloss.

 

[Cagey]

You won't miss the fretboard inlays as much as you'd think. The side dots aren't so far away from what you're doing that you have to rely on peripheral vision or direct looks to keep track of where you are.

It's tough to say whether you'd want a clear or tinted finish on the neck without seeing how the natural masked binding on the body comes out. My first inclination is to go clear, particularly if your body's top is Maple.

 

[twitchylizard]

I see, I just dont know how the contrast between the black ebony and the clear gloss would be. It kinda frightens me. Does the neck tinting bring out the figuring of the neck?

 

[bagman67]

Vintage tint can sometimes make the figuring in a flame maple neck more prominent, but not necessarily.  Be advised, it's ORANGE.  By this I mean the fakery that's intended to make the neck look like it's wearing an aged lacquer finish really is a lot more pronounced than you might expect.  I'd vote for a plain clear finish, so the lumber can tell its own story, and so the vintage tint doesn't end up clashing with what sounds like an attractive plan for the guitar's body.

 

[twitchylizard]

I see what you mean. I already have the body and i wish i could post pics but i dont have a camera. I will try my best. So are you voting clear satin or clear gloss?

 

[bagman67]

That's a matter of your taste.  Satin will eventually polish up to a low-luster gloss anyway, if you play enough, but only where you touch it - the headstock face and backside will stay satin sheened.


To avoid the question, I think you might do well to consider something more unique - a rosewood or wenge neck would go nicely against the washed denim dye job. 


But if you've settled on maple, I personally prefer the appearance of a gloss finish, but your mileage may vary.

 

[twitchylizard]

I'll probably go satin. the only reason im not doing wenge or rosewood is that i have no experience with either and dont know what tone they bring and how they feel. Maybe for a future build. I teach lessons so I play quite a bit so it wouldnt take too long to get some coloration on a clear satin finish. My tele I already have is satin and it has darkened quite a bit just over one and a half years

 

[bbl4ck]

I think a nice Canary neck would also be great with the washed denim...  :glasses9:

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

What makes you say that? Are you not a fan of binding or is it the combination of features?

I love binding.  I have 2 bound bodies without bound necks, and 2 bound necks without bound bodies.  If the neck could have matching binding somehow, I'd be all for it.  The specs you mentioned, I think a bound neck would be too much.