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Post subject: Binding
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 2:50 pm
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Is it just for looks or does it serve any useful purpose?

TIA (thanks in advance--new acronym I just made up to add to the acronym list though it's probably already in widespread use and I'm just OOTL--out of the loop).


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Post subject: Re: Binding
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:05 pm
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It's very rare to find a case of "fret sprout" on a fretboard fitted with binding.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Binding
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:21 pm
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Hi Highline: originally binding on acoustic guitars served the purpose of protecting the end grain of front, back and fingerboard where it was susceptible to damage from moisture loss. Nowadays with modern lacquers it is mostly just decorative.

Incidentally, I saw something on a related theme just a couple of days ago while making violins at the Cambridge Violin Workshop. A young girl was asking me what violin purfling is for and I was explaining that in addition to supposed accoustic properties it serves the function of protecting the plates from worse damage if a split or similar takes place. And just a couple of hours later someone had an accident with a nearly finished cello where they banged it hard and knocked a chunk out of the edge of the front plate. However, the break couldn't travel beyond the purfling and so was easily reparable (by a highly skilled luthier). We called the girl over and were able to show her, "There you are, that's what purfling is for". Quite satisfying.

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Binding
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:30 pm
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Arjay and Ceri,

Thanks for the quick response! One more question, if it's neck binding, is it sticky at all? I mean, could it slow down your fingers and make the neck not as fast?

TIA!


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Post subject: Re: Binding
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:34 pm
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Well... I've never found it sticky, but I guess that's down to the individual player and hands in question. Do you find binding sticky? If so, I know a brand of guitars that nearly always has unbound necks... :wink:

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Binding
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:43 pm
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I've never had a "sticky" issue with bound fretboards -- quite the opposite, actually. Most of my Gibbies have binding as do two of my Stratocasters, my Jazz Bass, and my Ibanez dreadnaught acoustic.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Binding
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 3:52 pm
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I've never been a fan of bound fingerboards, it looks good but it makes refretting very complicated.

The bound body on my 62 RI Tele looks cool though.

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Post subject: Re: Binding
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 4:03 pm
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The "sticky" thing has given me an idea though, they should fir adhesive strips down the sides of fingerboards to slow down widdly widdly guitar players.

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Post subject: Re: Binding
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 4:17 pm
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Thanks gents. I've been considering a Tele and think the bound bodies look pretty cool. Not sure if I feel the same about the necks but always wondered if the different texture made any difference while playing.

You're right Ceri, it's pretty difficult to even find a Tele with binding in Fender's new offerings, except for this one http://www.fender.com/series/special-edition/special-edition-custom-telecaster-fmt-hh-rosewood-fingerboard-amber/ and I'd be looking for single coils.


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Post subject: Re: Binding
Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 4:39 pm
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Ceri wrote:
Incidentally, I saw something on a related theme just a couple of days ago while making violins at the Cambridge Violin Workshop.


Your second visit there? Have you finished a violin yet? Tell/show us please!

I have some violin experience now. Not playing, but working on them. I put a new ebony tailpiece and fine tuners on my daughter's violin. And just the other week I rehaired her original bow. We had bought her a replacement bow, a $13 second that was recommended to us, but turned out to be not such a great value (warped). A local music shop sells synthetic hair for $4, so I figured I'd try to restore the old bow. Her violin teacher was impressed that I attempted it and succeeded!

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Post subject: Re: Binding
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 2:02 am
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orvilleowner wrote:
Ceri wrote:
Her violin teacher was impressed that I attempted it and succeeded!

I'm impressed too. Fine tuners are easy for someone who knows how to do stuff on guitars. But rehairing a bow is grown-up work. Respect! 8)

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Binding
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 9:15 am
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orvilleowner wrote:
I have some violin experience now. Not playing, but working on them. I put a new ebony tailpiece and fine tuners on my daughter's violin. And just the other week I rehaired her original bow. We had bought her a replacement bow, a $13 second that was recommended to us, but turned out to be not such a great value (warped). A local music shop sells synthetic hair for $4, so I figured I'd try to restore the old bow. Her violin teacher was impressed that I attempted it and succeeded!


Congrats! You must have a lot of patience.

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