Official Luthiers Forum!

I am working on my second guitar and I can't decide on what binding to use. I'm thinking of Ebony with a white/black purfling and I'm also considering using a W/B/W plastic binding but I'm not sure if that would my best option. The back and sides are figured Black Walnut and a Sitka Spruce top. Any suggestions on what might be a good binding option would be greatly appreciated because I need all of the help I can get!

I think koa /maple binding would suit the look of that guitar

You should mention if those pictures are acurrate ,colourwise ?

one of this best thing about this forum is that you can get everyones opinion
beautiful guitar btw

I realize that I'm going to be in the minority here, but there's something *right* about using white plastic bindings on an archtop.

_________________
"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I recently completed a black walnut, adi spruce topped guitar with flamed Koa. Really like the look. A bit understated, but very classy. Maple would also look great as well. Here's a pic of the walnut with Koa.

Aaron

_________________
Aaron Craig

Very nice, Aaron! Love the bright white purfling line. I vote that!

Did you save the off cuts from the sides? I think it looks really classy is to use the same wood as the sides with a purfling of your choice - maybe w.b.w. If you didn't save the offcuts, then some walnut bindings to match the colour as close as possible.

_________________
http://www.bobmatthewsguitars.co.uk

That is beautiful. I especially like the fine black and white perfling.

I do have it and that's a good idea. The w/b/w purfling would provide a good contrast. I might even consider removing the plastic binding in the f holes and replace it with the black walnut. Thanks!

I agree with you about being the "right" look especilly after I bound the f holes in plastic. Being so new to this I had to ask if there were any other recommendations even if it means removing the binding from the f holes which I really don't want to do! The black walnut is truely fantastic and I want to make sure I explore my options before moving on. Thanks!

I stress over binding choices on every build but anything can look good if well executed. Archtops seem to be bling heavy when coming from the factories and everyone seems to expect this. I personally like a little less and prefer the look of unbound F holes though well executed headstock binding looks good.

Fred

_________________
Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

One thing I've noticed is that the body resonance changes when you route the binding channels, it becomes thumpier and less resonant. Then when you glue the binding in, it comes back.
That being the case, I find it hard to imagine that the binding material has no effect on tone.
I always use wood bindings for that reason.
That's my opinion.

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!

Benedetto's Cremona strikes me as the icon for archtops. Plastic white and black bindings on the body edges, f-holes, fretboard, and headstock. Though I don't know how to bind anything....that's how I'd want to go.

_________________
I read Emerson on the can. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds...true...but a consistent reading of Emerson has its uses nevertheless.

StuMusic