Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi everyone,

I'm building the Stew-Mac mahogany dread kit, and while binding is still a ways off (I still have to brace the top and back and close the box), I'm looking for ideas to upgrade from the black plastic strip that came with the kit. I have a good supply of black walnut that I'm going to try cutting into binding strips, and if that works out well enough I may use it, but I'm interested in seeing pictures of what you guys are doing. I think I'd like to use a dark binding to go along with the herringbone purfling, although i found a few pics of Wes McMillian's white oak bound guitar in the archives that looks amazing as well. I've always enjoyed the "show me" posts, I find them very inspiring...so let's see 'em!

Thanks in advance,

Zac

Here's one with cocobolo binding. Any of the darker rosewoods look nice IMO.

_________________
sweat the small stuff.

NICE!! Good job with the binding/purfling scheme Heath!

Dave F.

_________________
Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

The majority of mahogany guitars I've built this year have had mahogany binding as well, but Black Walnut would look great.

I like curly maple with rosewood purfling.


Walnut would need some purfling as well, I think. Not enough contrast otherwise. Try .020" maple/.020" rosewood.

Cocobolo would be great without any back/side purfling.

This is pretty much a copy of an early 1930's Martin 18 style with narrow tortoise celluloid binding (although I think they mostly used black plastic in the early 30's on 18 models) and Brazilian rosewood end graft. The pores are filled with black Timbermate. There isn't any finish on it yet in this pic but the pore filler has been sealed with a light coat of shellac.

I'm kinda partial to bloodwood. Very subtle, but nice.

Steve

Really...I wasn't aware of that but I can't say I have examined many Prewar Martins or claim to be an expert. Just going by the handful that I have owned or measured. This is my '32 0-18 which looks like black plastic binding to me.

Nice looking work! I think one of the best things about these threads is seeing the high level of craftmanship and detail...it sets the bar and gives me motivation to do each job right and not just "good enough". You guys have definitely given me a few ideas, let's keep 'em coming!

Zac

I think the darker browns have a very rich, warm, effect with mahogany.

I like the contrast of the lighter woods to Mahogany. Here's one with Curly Maple and a Lacewood insert in the back bordered with Curly Maple strips:

http://www.peterjosephguitars.com/Peter ... .html#grid

_________________
Peter

I agree.



EIR with B/maple purfling.

Pat

_________________
formerly known around here as burbank
_________________

http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I think you can get away with almost anything on mahogany and it will look good. Well anything but plastic... I don't like plastic

Black plastic can look great. Pretty much looks like ebony under a glossy finish.

Circa...

Tasmanian blackwood on cuban.

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Ebony with a white line, next ebony binding will be Ebony/W/B