Cosmetic binding repair

[hidesert]

Hi all. I have a very fine sounding original condition 1937 Gibson L-12 that has one bothersome cosmetic feature I’d like to have corrected. At some point the binding on the bass side of the first 5 frets of the fingerboard was replaced with a poorly matching section of binding. Can anyone suggest a source for a section of matching binding? Also, I live in Northern New Mexico and am not confident that my luthier would be the best choice for such a job. Is there anyone you can recommend in Colorado or Arizona that could do an expert job like this?

[Donnd]

Try Stewmac.com for the binding, likely they will have a match that is close in color.

That is a terrible repair and it looks like they widened the routed channel to add the replacement binding thus making this a more complex repair. I no longer live in Northern NM, but I would suggest taking the guitar to Pimentel in ABQ and get their opinion/estimate. They have built several custom guitars for me in the past and they do repairs. My brother who lives in Los Alamos has had repair work done recently by them. You really need a true luthier to do this, not some dude at Guitar Center. Lovely guitar, like to see how the repairs turnout. Good Luck!

[deacon Mark]

Needs the whole binding strip replaced and you can sort of match the color, just not pure clean white. This not an easy job and delicate because it is cosmetic and takes time. The good thing is that it is not a broken peghead or something structural. Time, patience, and of course money can get it back ok. Have not idea who you need to see you are out in the boonies.

[hidesert]

Thanks guys. It is a terrible cosmetic repair that should never have been performed in the manner that it was. That said, it cannot be felt
when playing the guitar. If I am unable to get it fixed properly, I will just live with it.
I appreciate the suggestions!

[wintermoon]

When I first looked and saw the binding nicks I thought what's the big deal?
But scrolling over I see the mismatched replacement piece. Yeah kind of a bummer the repair person didn't trim it before installation, probably would've been less work than routing it to fit the binding width.
I'd probably get it fixed but can see if you've lived w it awhile that you wouldn't mind too much, especially if you can't feel it while playing.

[Freeman Keller]

There are several things going on here that I can't tell from the picture but need to be considered. Did the original binding have "nibs" or was the neck fretted over the binding? Both can make repairs tricky. Does the guitar need frets? This would be the time to consider doing that.

Not only will your tech need to match the color and size of the old binding, but the finish has aged to a lovely amber that will need to be duplicated, the lacquer is worn from the neck below the binding. Whether it is better to replace the entire strip or just the poorly done part is another decision, I can see advantages of each.

So yes its doable but you should discuss in person with the tech that will do the work.

[hidesert]

The frets do need to be reseated and dressed and may very well need to be replaced. I’m inclined towards only trying to patch in the already disturbed section of binding and leaving what is original intact. I’m bringing the guitar to my local tech tomorrow. Additionally. I will be joined by a couple of experienced guitar friends. I will report back with their opinions.

[Gilpy]

This is not an especially complex repair, but time consuming and therefore expensive. I have done similar work on a 30s Gibson.

Too bad the bad binding is in the one area where you’re going to be looking the most!

I would replace the full strip of binding on that side of the neck. You’re never going to get a spliced-in piece to match perfectly. So, it’ll need new side dots.

The oversize binding channel will need to be cleaned up and filled with a thin piece of wood. Fortunately, the neck finish is already missing in this area. I would refinish that area of the neck to hide the work. The dark brown stain that Gibson used is pretty easy to match with Colortone Tobacco Brown dye.

If you’re going to have it re-fretted, that would make the binding job easier.