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Anyone use Walnut for bindings? What should the grain orientation be? Clinton

I have used it a few times. Grain orientation doesn't seem to matter, but I generally favor QS for the appearance.

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John

I've used Peruvian Walnut for bindings. It bends like a dream.

Walnut works great & looks great when used with certain B & Sides.
I like it on Maple guitars!
Check out some of the OLF suppliers and see if they have some
available for you to cut your own.
Oregon Wild Woods & RC Tonewoods may be able to help you.
Get some Curly pieces if you can.

Mike

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Mike Collins

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure if walnut would be considered "hard enough" for binding. I haven't found any pictures of guitars with walnut binding, I can't be the first to think of using walnut? Clinton

If you're talking about Black Walnut, I've used it - bends easily and can be ok for binding. I won't use it again, though. I dont think it provides enough of a highlight - color's a bit "muddy" - can be great for back and sides, but I prefer a more striking binding, whether it's very dark (ebony) or very light (maple, or holly), or with some curl.....

I've also used walnut, both eastern and CA "claro". Both bend well enough, can be used on the quarter or rift (I don't know how well it would bend if flatsawn but guess it would be OK), and look fine to my eyes. Claro and English walnut tend to be darker than eastern and look a bit more striking. You can always set it off with a nice colored purfling line.

Colored purfling line" now that's a great idea! Thanks Clinton

I've used Peruvian Walnut on several medium brown body woods. The walnut is just the right shade of brown to set everything off. The grain chatoyance (sp.?) is very subtle and really looks good out in the sun. Its a little bit soft for rough duty on the corners though, it needs someone who cares about their instrument...
Mikey

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The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

Keep in mind that walnut is one of the few woods that will lighten as it ages.
L.

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

As a few others here have noted - it makes a great binding... especially if you pick the flavor of walnut to give you the right sort of contrast.

It is true that it is a bit softer and dents easier than Plastic.... but it certainly doesn't seem to crack easily.

The only trouble I have had is when the walnut has really squirrley short grain sections - like trying to bend across a knot.... I might not use burl walnut for bindings.... Otherwise - it works great.

Personally - I really like using Peruvian Walnut for bindings.... It just has a spectacular brown color that looks great against most every other wood.

I think some fine curl Claro would be spectacular too.... and if you picked the right piece - the color streakiness of Black walnut would really stand out.

White walnut sapwood would also likely make a good binding - maybe as a substitute for holly....

Thanks

John