To bind or not to bind?

[Jim_H]

That is the question...

So I'm about to pull the trigger on a beautiful strat with an amazing Koa top and Mahogany back.

This thing is begging to be finished in clear gloss, but I can't decide what to do about the binding.

If I were to tint it, I could use a natural or vintage masked binding, which would be my preference. I think tinting it in any way would be a complete shame, at least for the top.  That leaves with with the options of leaving the seam naked and exposed, or binding it with cream or ivoroid.. or possibly black, but.. yea..

I can't decide...

halp?

 

[line6man]

No binding. Keep it classy.

 

[Jim_H]

See, that's just it.

I can't decide if leaving the naked seam is more or less classy than binding.

I'm mainly an acoustic builder, and would never consider an acoustic without binding.  not for the protection, but to make a nice border between the wood types, hiding the seam/glue line.

The only acoustics I've seen without binding were made by beginners who couldn't or didn't know how to properly route binding channels...

I think at this point, I'm kinda leaning towards the tortoise binding, but i reserve the right to change my mind.  I'm going to give it 24 to 48 hours before I pull the trigger.  :icon_tongue:

I guess if I could have anything I wanted, I'd use a nice figured wood for the binding.  I have some nice Koa strips that would work great for this. 

Hmm, I guess that is another option. I could order it unbound, and then route and bind it myself using my own binding.    Of course then I'd have to finish it myself, or outsource it...

:dontknow: :-\

 

[Great Ape]

What about the "black line option" - check out the binding options section of the bodybuilder- it's a beautiful, and very classy touch.

 

[Jim_H]

Hmm,

That option didn't pop up for me in the binding (or maybe I missed it?).

I'll check it again when I have a chance.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[line6man]

Binding tends to look gaudy and artificial to me, unless it's made of wood, or a natural mask on a colored finish. There is a definite touch of class to two pieces of contrasting wood simply glued together. If the woods were similar in color, some sort of embellishment might be desirable, but it's overkill when the woods nicely contrast in color and visual texture.

Acoustic guitars have a very different vibe to them, that sort of always needs binding. Electrics are a different beast.

 

[Jim_H]

I just called.  Apparently the body builder wizard has a bug that doesn't allow the option for the accent line, which is why I wasn't aware of it.

I'm going to sleep on this tonight, and ponder the laminate option (considering switching to one of the camphor burls), and the neck options.... 

I'll just order over the phone tomorrow and specify the light accent line, which is done by laminating a thin maple laminate in between the core wood and the top. 

This will be PERFECT!


Thanks all  :icon_smile:

 

[Great Ape]

Man, don't pass up that incredible hunk of koa!!

 

[Jim_H]

There are actually a couple of nice Koa pieces.. and two pieces of Camphor Burl I could easily settle for if someone buys up the Koa tonight.

And if that Koa disappears tonight, I'm pretty sure I'll know where to look for a guitar made with it  :icon_tongue:

 

[Cagey]

Binding tends to look gaudy and artificial to me, unless it's made of wood, or a natural mask on a colored finish.

You're going to hate my L5S, then. I'm gonna bind the snot out of it.

But, I understand where you're coming from. Binding makes no sense on an electric. It's purely decorative. But, sometimes a little strategic enhancement is a Good Thing...

Or...

Or not...

​

 

[line6man]

Binding tends to look gaudy and artificial to me, unless it's made of wood, or a natural mask on a colored finish.

You're going to hate my L5S, then. I'm gonna bind the snot out of it.

But, I understand where you're coming from. Binding makes no sense on an electric. It's purely decorative. But, sometimes a little strategic enhancement is a Good Thing...

Or...

Or not...

​

Never did understand why women cover their faces in chemical crap. Seems odd to me every time I see it. I'd rather see a natural face.

 

[Jumble Jumble]

Not some of them you wouldn't.